SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
ELEVENTH GRADE UNIT OUTLINES
In eleventh grade, students have the intellectual and social capacity to develop serious historical
knowledge and perspective, geographic literacy, economic understanding, and civic wisdom and
commitment. The recommended context in eleventh grade in which to tap this capacity is U.S. history and
government, 1890 to the present. Students consider multiple accounts of events and issues in order to
understand the politics, economics, geography, and history of this country from a variety of perspectives.
In addition, students examine the state and national constitutions and treaties and how these documents
govern the rights and responsibilities of all residents and citizens in Washington and the rest of the United
States.
The following pages provide unit outlines to help you organize a modern United States history course
around the required state standards. As with the other grade levels, these suggested unit outlines are
framed along two dimensions: chronological era and major developments or themes. Civics, economics,
geography, and social studies skills are embedded in this framework.
The unit outlines start with possible essential and guiding questions to help frame the unit. The sample
guiding questions focus on the specific issues that connect with the particular era, developments, or
themes. The essential questions are meant to remind us of how the themes and eras addressed in a
particular unit relate to timeless issues and concepts. Please note that while the GLEs (in bold) are
required, the examples are merely suggestions. Since it would be impossible to address all of the
important cultures, people, and events during more than one hundred years of this nations history in a
way that promotes in-depth understanding, these examples are meant to provide some possible contexts
in which to teach these standards. They are not meant to be followed like a recipe or as a one-size-fits-all
curriculum. Ultimately, it is up to teachers and administrators in each district to decide how to tailor this
course and these examples to their students and communitys particular interests and needs. They will
have to help decide which themes and developments in history students will examine deeply and which
they will look at as points of comparison. By balancing depth and breadth, students will have the
opportunity to gain enduring understandings that U.S. history teaches us about ourselves and the world.
To help develop these enduring understandings, these unit outlines include recommended placement of
several of the states Classroom-Based Assessment models (CBAs). To see the full requirements of the
CBAs referenced below, visit OSPIs social studies assessment web page.
Unit Outlines for Eleventh Grade:
Overview
1. US- Our Foundations (1776-1791)
2. US- Industrialization and the Emergence of the United States as a World Power (1870-Present)
3. US- Reform, Prosperity, and Depression (1918-1939)
4. US- WII, the Cold War, and International Relations (1939-1991)
5. US- Movements and Issues and Home (1945-1991)
6. Entering a New Era (1991-Present)
Recommended CBAs: Constitutional Issues, Checks and Balances, Dig Deep-Analyzing Sources, U.S.
Foreign Policy
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Overview
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following themes Explains how the ratification of the Bill of Rights defines
and developments help to define eras in the founding of the United States.
U.S. history: Explains how the Roosevelt Corollary helps to define the
early 20th century as a time when the United States was
Our foundations (17761791). emerging as a world power.
Industrialization and the emergence Explains how the 19th Amendment and the New Deal
HISTORY
of the United States as a world Policy define U.S. history following World War I as
power (18901918). period of reform.
4.1.2
Reform, prosperity, and the Great Explains how atomic weapons help to define the
Depression decades after World War II as the Cold War era.
(19181939). Explains how the United Farm Workers, Civil Rights
World War II, the Cold War, and Movement, and Feminist Movement help to define U.S.
international relations (19391991). history after World War II as a time of social movements.
Movements and domestic Issues Explains how the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11
(19451991). attacks have defined a new era in U.S. domestic and
Entering a new era (1991present). foreign policy.
Unit Outline 1: US- Our Foundations (1776-1791)
Essential Question(s):
How do a nations stated ideals and principles shape how its citizens think and act?
Guiding Question(s):
How has the founding of the United States shaped its history?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
HISTORY
Understands how the following
4.1.2, themes and developments help to Explains how the ratification of the Bill of Rights defines the
Part 1 define eras in U.S. history: founding of the United States.
Our foundations (17761791)
Examines how arguments made in the Federalist Papers
justify the principles of limited government, separation of
powers, checks and balances, and federalism.
Critiques how well Article I of the Constitution limits
Congressional powers.
Examines how the Preamble guides the application of the
constitutional principles.
Analyzes and evaluates the ways in
CIVCS
Examines how the Boldt decision promotes justice as one
which the U.S. Constitution and
1.1.1 of the goals of our nation.
other fundamental documents
Examines how the Brown v. Board of Education decision
promote key ideals and principles.
promotes equality as one of the goals of our nation.
Examines how the Letter from a Birmingham Jail promotes
equality as one of the goals of our nation.
Examines how the Civil Rights Act sought to extend
democratic ideals.
Examines how the Twenty-sixth Amendment sought to
extend democratic ideals.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Unit Outline 2: US- Industrialization and the Emergence of the United States as a World Power
(1890-Present)
Essential Question(s):
How does a nation become a world power?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a world power?
Guiding Question(s):
How and why did the United States emerge as a world power?
What impact did World War I have on the United States at home and abroad?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following themes
and developments help to define eras
HISTORY
4.1.2, Explains how the Roosevelt Corollary helps to define the early
in U.S. history:
Part 20th century as a time when the United States was emerging
Industrialization and the emergence
2 as a world power.
of the United States as a world
power (18901918).
GEOGRAPHY
Analyzes and evaluates elements of
geography to trace the emergence of Examines how proximity between the United States and
3.3.1 the United States as a global economic Central America led to U.S. economic dominance of the
and political force in the past or region.
present.
Examines maps of the United States using a Geographic
GEOGRAPHY
Analyzes information from geographic Information System (GIS) to draw conclusions on how the
tools, including computer-based development of railroads led to Chicagos industrialization.
3.1.1
mapping systems, to draw conclusions Examines maps of the Puget Sound using a Geographic
on an issue or event. Information System (GIS) to draw conclusions on why Seattle
became Washington States largest city and port.
GEOGRAPHY
Examines the factors leading to Italian immigration to the
Analyzes the causes and effects of
United States and its effects on U.S. society.
3.2.3 voluntary and involuntary migration in
Examines the factors leading to Japanese immigration to the
the United States in the past or present.
United States and its effects on U.S. society.
Weighs the costs and benefits of immigrant labor on the
HISTORY
Evaluates how individuals and
industrialization of the United States.
4.2.1 movements have shaped the United
Weighs the costs and benefits of the Progressive Movement
States (1890present).
on the Labor Movement.
Critiques the effectiveness of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in
ECONOMICS
Evaluates the role of the U.S. ensuring competition in the market.
2.3.1 government in regulating a market Critiques the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve Board in
economy in the past or present. helping to control inflation through the regulation of interest
rates.
Evaluates and interprets other points of view on Americas
STUDIES
SOCIAL
SKILLS
Evaluates and interprets other points of
role in developing the Panama Canal.
5.4.1 view on an issue within a paper or
Evaluates and interprets other points of view on why the
presentation.
womens suffrage movement succeeded.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Unit Outline 3: US- Reform, Prosperity, and Depression (1918-1939)
Essential Question(s):
How has the United States faced the dilemma of maintaining the balance between free enterprise
and governmental regulation and oversight?
What are the relationships among the rise of industrialization, large-scale rural-to-urban
migration, and increases in immigration?
Guiding Question(s):
What are the different explanations for the Great Depression and how did the New Deal
fundamentally change the role of the federal government?
How did the balance of federal power shift between the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches in the 20th century?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following themes
HISTORY
and developments help to define eras in
4.1.2, Explains how the 19th Amendment and the New Deal Policy
U.S. history:
Part define U.S. history following World War I as period of
Reform, prosperity, and the Great
3 reform.
Depression
(19181939).
Examines what economic incentives caused people to join
labor unions in large numbers during the Great Depression.
Examines how the overproduction of agricultural products
ECONOMICS
led farmers to destroy their supply to boost prices at the
Analyzes the incentives for peoples
beginning of the Great Depression.
2.1.1 economic choices in the United States
Examines how automobile producers set prices in the
in the past or present.
1920s to generate sustainable demand among middle-
class Americans.
Examines what economic incentives caused the U.S.
government to institute the Bracero program.
CBA: Checks and Balances
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Critiques the effectiveness of checks and balances during
Evaluates the effectiveness of the President Franklin D. Roosevelts attempt to implement his
CIVICS
system of checks and balances during New Deal policies and efforts to increase the number of
1.2.2
a particular presidential administration, Supreme Court justices.
Supreme Court, or Congress. Critiques the effectiveness of checks and balances during
the Taft Court (19211930).
SOCIAL STDUEIS
SKILLS
Evaluates the validity, reliability, and Critiques the validity, reliability, and credibility of documents
5.2.2 credibility of sources when researching from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration when
an issue or event. researching the justification of New Deal programs.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Unit Outline 4: US- WWII, the Cold War, and International Relations (1939-1991)
Essential Question(s):
What has been the role of the United States in the spread of global interdependence?
Guiding Question(s):
What caused World War II and how did World War II transform role of the United States in world
affairs and foreign policy?
What were the causes and consequences of the Cold War?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following
Explains how World War II transformed the United States role
HISTORY
themes and developments help
4.1.2,
to define eras in U.S. history: in world affairs.
Part
World War II, the Cold War, Explains how atomic weapons help to define the decades after
4
and international relations World War II as the Cold War era.
(19391991).
HISTORY
Analyzes and evaluates how
technology and ideas have Analyzes the costs, benefits, and long-term significance of the
4.2.3
shaped U.S. history (1890 Green Revolution on U.S. foreign policy in Southeast Asia.
present).
Understands that nations have
Compares the economic systems of the United States to the
competing philosophies about
U.S.S.R. during the Cold War.
2.2.1 how best to produce, distribute,
Compares the differing economic philosophies in the United
and consume goods, services,
States and Japan in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
and resources.
ECONOMICS
Examines the effects of the United States perceived loss of
comparative advantage in the manufacturing of textiles.
Examines the effects of the United States comparative
advantage in pharmaceutical research on the export of
Analyzes how comparative
prescription drugs.
advantage has affected United
2.2.2 Examines how transnational companies have shifted
States imports and exports in
manufacturing in response to perceived changes in
the past or present.
comparative advantage.
Examines how perceived loss of comparative advantage led
Ford Motor Company to shift automobile manufacturing outside
of the United States.
CBA: U.S. Foreign Policy
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Examines why the United States policy of the Truman Doctrine
Analyzes and evaluates the
was implemented and critiques the costs and benefits for
CIVICS
causes and effects of U.S.
Korea.
1.3.1 foreign policy on people in the
Examines why the United States was involved in Vietnam
United States and the world in
between 1950 and 1975 and critiques the costs and benefits of
the past or present.
this policy for the United States and the world.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Examines underlying assumptions of U.S. involvement in
SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS
Vietnam between 1950 and 1975.
Analyzes the underlying
Examines underlying assumptions of U.S. involvement in the
assumptions of positions on an
5.1.1 1977 EgyptIsrael Peace Accords.
issue or event.
Examines the underlying assumptions of President Franklin D.
Roosevelts decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans during
World War II.
Critiques how well a position on U.S. involvement in Vietnam
addresses the complexities of this conflict.
Evaluates the depth of a
5.1.2 Critiques how well a position on U.S. involvement in the 1977
position on an issue or event.
EgyptIsrael Peace Accords addresses the complexities of
relations in the Middle East.
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Analyzes multiple causes of
Examines multiple interpretations of the causal factors of the
events in U.S. history,
Vietnam War.
4.3.2 distinguishing between
Examines multiple interpretations of the causal factors of the
proximate and long-term causal
Bay of Pigs Invasion.
factors (1890present).
Unit Outline 5: US- Movements and Issues at Home (1945-1991)
Essential Question(s):
How has the United States dealt with issues of equality and the extension of civil liberties?
How has the United States dealt with the gap between prosperity and poverty?
Guiding Question(s):
What were the domestic economic and social changes as a result of World War II?
What have been the causes and consequences of efforts to improve the environment?
What are the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American
society?
How does America's changing cultural, ethnic, religious, economic, and social landscape impact
public policy, perceptions, and attitudes both inside and outside our borders?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following
HISTORY
4.1.2, themes and developments help Explains how the United Farm Workers, Civil Rights Movement,
Part to define eras in U.S. history: and Feminist Movement help to define U.S. history after World
5 Movements and domestic War II as a time of social movements.
Issues (19451991).
Examines the way that African Americans used the court system
to influence civil rights legislation.
HISTORY
Analyzes how cultures and Examines the way that migrant workers impacted agricultural
4.2.2 cultural groups have shaped the labor.
United States (1890 present). Examines how the use of boycotts and demonstrations led by
various ethnic groups has resulted in social change in the United
States.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Examines why cultural and political factors distinguish the West
Analyzes how differences in Coast from East Coast.
regions and spatial patterns Examines why Massachusetts is considered politically liberal
3.1.2 have emerged in the United whereas Texas is considered politically conservative.
Examines why most people in the United States live within fifty
GEOGRAPHY
States from natural processes
and human activities. miles of a coast and how this settlement causes coastal regions
to differ from the countrys interior.
Weighs the benefits and negative consequences of the damming
Analyzes and evaluates human of the Colorado and Columbia Rivers.
interaction with the environment Examines the conditions leading to the passage of the Clean Air
3.2.1
in the United States in the past Act.
or present Examines the interaction between geographic factors and the
social, economic, and cultural aspects of a historical question.
Critiques how entitlement programs in the United States have
Analyzes and evaluates how affected the distribution of resources to people living below the
ECONOMICS
people in the United States have poverty level.
addressed issues involved with Critiques how well dam development in the Pacific Northwest has
2.4.1
the distribution of resources contributed to sustainable economic growth.
and sustainability in the past or Critiques the role of entrepreneurship in the United States in
present. sustaining economic growth and raising the standard of living for
its residents.
Examines the cultural interactions between Puerto Rican
migrants and other ethnic groups of New York City.
GEOGRAPHY
Explores the concept of model minority in the United States and
how it affects the publics perceptions of race and class.
3.2.2 Analyzes cultural interactions. Examines cultural interactions between residents in Los Angeles
Watts neighborhood and members of the Los Angeles Police
Department before and after the 1965 riots.
Examines cultural interactions in Washington State resulting from
the arrival of Southeast Asian refugees in the 1970s and 1980s.
CBA: Dig Deep-Analyzing Sources
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Develops a position after examining competing historical
HISTORY
interpretations of the effect Malcolm X had on the Civil Rights
Analyzes differing
Movement.
4.3.1 interpretations of events in U.S.
Develops a position after examining competing historical
history (1890present).
interpretations of the long-term effects of the Feminist
Movement.
SOCIAL STUDIES
After completing initial research on the role of the Supreme
Court during the Civil Rights Movement, critiques and revises a
SKILLS
Evaluates and revises research
research question on the importance of the judicial branch.
5.2.1 questions to refine inquiry on an
After completing initial research on the Bay of Pigs Invasion,
issue or event.
critiques and revises a research question on the power of the
United States in Latin America.
SUGGESTED UNIT OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES GLES 11th GRADE
Unit Outline 6: US-Entering a New Era (1991-Present)
Essential Question(s):
How do people respond to times of uncertainty?
Guiding Question(s):
What themes and developments define the era in which we live?
How are the issues and problems facing us today similar to or different from those that existed in
previous eras?
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Understands how the following
HISTORY
4.1.2, themes and developments help
Explains how the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 attacks
Part to define eras in U.S. history:
have defined a new era in U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
6 Entering a new era (1991
present).
Examines the United States ability to meet the challenge of
HISTORY
global climate change based on responses to environmental
Analyzes how an understanding
challenges in the past.
4.4.1 of United States history can help
Examines how understanding the history of immigration laws in
us prevent problems today.
the United States can help us decide how to regulate
immigration today.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Creates and articulates possible
alternative resolutions to public Engages in a small-group dialogue where each student
SKILLS
issues and evaluates these presents two or more possible resolutions to the threat of
5.3.1
resolutions using criteria that climate change and evaluates others alternative resolutions.
have been identified in the
context of a discussion.
CBA: Constitutional Issues
Required GLE Suggested Examples
Critiques how courts and government policies have supported
Evaluates how well court or failed to support civil rights.
decisions and government Critiques how courts and government policies have supported
1.1.2 policies have upheld key ideals or failed to support the constitutional right to freedom of speech.
and principles in the United Critiques how well the Supreme Court decision in Parents
States. Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School Dist. No. 1
upheld the right to equal protection.
Evaluates the effectiveness of states initiative processes in
preserving individual rights and promoting the common good.
Evaluates the effectiveness of voting in recent presidential
CIVICS
elections in promoting the common good and preserving
individual rights.
Analyzes and evaluates ways of Evaluates the effectiveness of the campaigns of Mothers
influencing local, state, and Against Drunk Driving in preserving individual rights and
1.4.1 national governments to promoting the common good.
preserve individual rights and Evaluates the effectiveness of the campaigns against hate
promote the common good. crimes by gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered organizations in
preserving individual rights and promoting the common good.
Using examples of different groups of people in American
society, analyzes instances in which unalienable rights were
denied and evaluates the effectiveness of the struggles that
ensued to guarantee those rights.
