Category: Grade 8 Social Studies

Demographic Change

Unit description:  After World War II, the population of the United States rose sharply as a result of both natural increases and immigration. Population movements have resulted in changes to the American landscape and shifting political power. An aging population is affecting the economy and straining public resources. In this unit students will examine the impact of the war on shifts in the population, demographics and infrastructure of America.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 8 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards 

Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5; Themes: ID, GEO, SOC, GOV, ECO

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big ideas of the unit: After World War II, the population of the United States rose sharply.

What were the effects of the various shifts in population and demographics following World War II?

• After World War II, the United States experienced various shifts in population and demographics that resulted in social, political, and economic consequences. 

How did the immigration and migration trends change after World War II?

• The postwar United States experienced increasing immigration, debates over immigration policy, and an increase in cultural diversity.

How has large scale industrialization and other massive changes following the war put added stress on the global environment?

• Pollution, population growth, the consumption of natural resources, clearing of land for human sustenance, and large-scale industrialization have put added stress on the global environment.
  

Foreign Policy

Unit description: In this unit, students will study the period after World War II and how it has been characterized by an ideological and political struggle, first between the United States and communism during the Cold War, then between the United States and forces of instability in the Middle East. In addition, students will investigate increased economic interdependence and competition, as well as environmental concerns, as just a few of the challenges faced by the United States. 

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 7 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards 

Standards: 1, 2, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, GEO, ECO, EXCH

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the unit: The period after World War II has been characterized by an ideological and political struggle.

How did the Cold War shape the reconstruction of national boundaries and political alliances across the globe?

• The Cold War was an ongoing struggle between the two nuclear superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War shaped the reconstruction of national boundaries and political alliances across the globe. 

What were the American military and diplomatic policies during this post war time?

• The United States based its military and diplomatic policies from 1945 to 1990 on a policy of containment of communism.

How did the relationships between the United States and foregin countries change following the war? 

• Following the end of the Cold War, the United States sought to define a new role in global affairs, but the legacies of Cold War actions continue to affect United States foreign policy today.

How did the United States respond to terrorism?

• Terrorist groups not representing any nation entered and reshaped global military and political alliances and conflicts. American foreign and domestic policies responded to terrorism in a variety of ways.

How has economic interdependence affected the United States and New York State economy, including the workforce?

• Increased globalization has led to increased economic interdependence and competition.

World War II

Unit description:  In this unit, students will study the aggression of the Axis powers that threatened United States security and led to its entry into World War II. Students will explore the nature and consequences of warfare during World War II and how it transformed the United States and the global community. In addition, students will investigate the damage from total warfare and atrocities such as the Holocaust and how they led to a call for international efforts to protect human rights and prevent future wars.

Download the complete Social Studies Grade 8 Unit 6 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards 

Standards: 1, 2, 3; Themes: TCC, GOV, TECH, EXCH

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the unit: The aggression of the Axis powers threatened United States security and led to its entry into World War II.

What issues contributed to the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia?

• Worldwide economic depression, militant nationalism, the rise of totalitarian rule, and the unsuccessful efforts of the League of Nations to preserve peace contributed to the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia.

How did the United States try to maintain neutrality during this time in history? 

• From 1939 to 1941, the United States government tried to maintain neutrality while providing aid to Britain but was drawn into the war by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 

What were the effects of the war on the American economy and day-to-day life?

• The United States fought a war on multiple fronts. At home, the economy was converted to war production, and essential resources were rationed to ensure adequate supplies for military use.

What was the role of New Yorkers in World War II?

• New York contributed in many ways to World War II, such as hosting refugees at Fort Ontario Refugee Center and by building ships and aircraft carriers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard., among others.

What events during World War II led to a call for an international organization to prevent future wars and the protection of human rights?

• The nature and consequences of warfare during World War II transformed the United States and the global community. The damage from total warfare and human atrocities, including the Holocaust, led to a call for an international organization to prevent future wars and the protection of human rights. 

Great Depression

Unit description:  In this unit, students will study how economic and environmental disasters in the 1930s created hardships for many Americans. In addition, students will investigate, despite much debate about the appropriate role of government, how President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped to create intensive government interventions in the United States economy and society. 

Standards 

Standards: 1, 3, 5; Themes: TCC, SOC, GOV, ECO

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the unit: Economic and environmental disasters in the 1930s created hardships for many Americans.

What economic practices of the 1920s contributed to the coming of the Great Depression?

• Risky investing, protectionism, and overproduction led to the collapse of the stock market, a wave of bank failures, and a long and severe downturn in the economy called the Great Depression.

What were the lasting effects of the Great Depression on American families?

• Lasting effects of the Great Depression on American families were loss of jobs, wealth, and homes, noting varying effects based on class, race, and gender. 
• Deteriorating conditions in New York City and other communities within New York state during the Great Depression.

What was the purpose of the New Deal and what were the long lasting effects on society and economic life?

• President Roosevelt issued the New Deal in an attempt to revive the economy and help Americans deal with the hardships of the Great Depression. 
• These New Deal reforms had a long-lasting effect on the role of government in American society and its economic life, but did not resolve all of the hardships Americans faced.
  

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 5 framework to customize for your own planning.

World War I and the Roaring 20s

Unit description: In this unit students will study the various diplomatic, economic, and ideological factors contributed to the United States decision to enter World War I. Students will investigate how involvement in the war significantly altered the lives of Americans, and how postwar America was characterized by economic prosperity, technological innovations, and changes in the workplace. 

Standards 

Standards: 1, 2, 4; Themes: SOC, GOV, ECO, TECH

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the unit:  Various diplomatic, economic, and ideological factors contributed to the United States decision to enter World War I.

What were factors to the start of WWI?

• European militarism, the alliance system, imperialism, and nationalism were all factors that contributed to the start of World War I.

Why did America enter WWI and what impact did this decision have on its citizens?

•  International, economic, and military developments swayed opinion in favor of the United States siding with the Allies and entering World War I. Domestic responses to World War I limited civil liberties within the United States.

How did new military technologies change military strategy in World War I?

• New military technologies changed military strategy in World War I and resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties.

Why did the United States Senate refuse to support the Treaty of Versailles?

• Following extensive political debate, the United States refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles. The United States then sought to return to prewar policies by focusing on domestic rather than international matters. 

What major changes following WWI characterize The Roaring Twenties?

• After World War I, the United States entered a period of economic prosperity and cultural change. This period is known as the Roaring Twenties. During this time, new opportunities for women were gained, and African Americans engaged in various efforts to distinguish themselves and celebrate their culture.
  

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 4 framework to customize for your own planning.

Expansion and Imperialism

Unit description:  Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, economic, political, and cultural factors contributed to a push for westward expansion and more aggressive United States foreign policy. In this unit, students will explore continued conflicts with Native Americans and the effect the Spanish-American war had on the rise of the United States as an imperial power. In addition, students will study Pacific trade and increased United States foreign interactions.

Standards 

Standards: 1, 2, 3, 5; Themes: GEO, GOV, CIV, ECO

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the Unit:  Economic, political, and cultural factors contributed to a push for westward expansion and more aggressive United States foreign policy.

How did the transcontinental railroad affect westward expansion? 

• Continued westward expansion contributed to increased conflicts with Native Americans.

What are United States and New York policies that were imposed upon Native Americans? 

• Examples of the policies imposed upon Native Americans from United States and New York State, were the displacement of Native Americans from traditional lands, creation of reservations, efforts to assimilate Native Americans through the creation of boarding schools, the Dawes Act, and the Indian Reorganization Act and the Native Americans’ various responses to these policies. 

How did the outcomes of the Spanish-American War contribute to the shift to imperialism in United States foreign policy?

• The events and outcomes of the Spanish-American War contributed to the shift to imperialism in United States foreign policy.

What effect did the Roosevelt Corollary have on relationships between the United States and Latin American nations?

•  The Roosevelt Corollary expanded the Monroe Doctrine and increased United States involvement in the affairs of Latin America. This led to resentment of the United States among many in Latin America.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 3 framework to customize for your own planning.

Immigration: A Changing Society

Unit description: In this unit, students will investigate how industrialization and immigration contributed to the urbanization of America. Students will study industrialization and the increased demand for labor leading to migration to cities and increased immigration to the United States. Students will investigate challenges and progressions that came with this industrialization period including population density, diversity, poor working conditions as well as social, cultural, and economic lives of people and conflicts over immigration. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to investigate women’s rights and the suffrage movement that spurred the creation of government reform policies.

All Standards Addressed in this Unit

• (Standards: 1, 2, 4; Themes: MOV, SOC, TECH, EXCH)

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

• Big Idea of the Unit: Industrialization and immigration contributed to the urbanization of America.
• How did technology change life as people knew it during this time of industrialization?
  • Technological developments changed the modes of production, and access to natural resources facilitated increased industrialization. The demand for labor in urban industrial areas resulted in increased migration from rural areas and a rapid increase in immigration to the United States. New York City became the nation’s largest city, and other cities in New York State also experienced growth at this time.
• How did industrialization and urbanization affect the lives of people living in cities?
  • Population density, diversity, technologies, and industry in urban areas shaped the social, cultural, and economic lives of people. Increased urbanization and industrialization contributed to increasing conflicts over immigration, influenced changes in labor conditions, and led to political corruption. In response to shifts in working conditions, laborers organized and employed a variety of strategies in an attempt to improve their conditions.
• What was the effect of addressing political and social issues during this time?
  • Progressive reformers sought to address political and social issues at the local, state, and federal levels of government between 1890 and 1920. These efforts brought renewed attention to women’s rights and the suffrage movement and spurred the creation of government reform policies.

Prerequisite Skills

This immigration unit is one part of three parts of study on “A Changing Society” which also includes the study of industrialization and urbanization. This unit represents unifying themes of social studies – development and movement of cultures, social structures, and global connections and exchange and enduring issues of Urbanization, Industrialization, Power, Population Growth, Cultural Diffusion, Technology, Tension between Traditional and Modern Culture. This unit can be done first as an introduction of urbanization or it can be done second after a study of industrialization/urbanization.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies – Immigration: A Changing Society framework to customize for your own planning.

Domestic Politics and Reform

Unit description: In this unit, students will study the civil rights movement and the Great Society and they were attempts by people and the government to address major social, legal, economic, and environmental problems. Additionally, students will investigate how the subsequent economic recession called for a new economic program.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 9 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards 

Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, SOC, CIV, ECO

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Big idea of the unit: The civil rights movement and the Great Society were attempts by people and the government to address major social, legal, economic, and environmental problems.

How and why did the Civil Rights Movement begin post World War II?

• The civil rights movement began in the postwar era in response to long-standing inequalities in American society, and eventually brought about equality under the law, but slower progress on economic improvements

What groups had renewed efforts toward the struggle for equality due to the Civil Rights Movement? 

•  The civil rights movement prompted renewed efforts for equality by women and other groups.

What were the programs of the Great Society and how were they an effort to help American Citizens?

• The Great Society programs of President Lyndon Johnson strengthened efforts aimed at reducing poverty and providing health care for the elderly, but the Vietnam War drained resources and divided society.

What prompted fiscal conservatives to push for changes in regulation and policy related to the economy?

• Economic recession during the 1970s and concerns about the growth and size of the federal government encouraged fiscal conservatives to push for changes in regulation and policy. 

Reconstruction

Reunifying the nation brought many challenges. While freed African Americans created new lives for themselves in the absence of slavery, constitutional amendments and federal legislation sought to expand rights and protect the citizenship of African Americans. These federal initiatives begun during Reconstruction were challenged on many levels impacting the lives of all Americans.

Note: Lessons will vary in length, depending on the amount of time you have with students, the resources that you choose to accompany the unit, the level of rigor within each learning target, and any other factors that may contribute to the pacing of your learning progressions. It is recommended that you adjust the pace and length of each learning progression(s) accordingly in response to these factors.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards

• Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: MOV, SOC, CIV, ECO

Essential Questions and Big Ideas of the Unit

• Big Idea of the Unit: Throughout history, when nations face division, they have tried to reunify the citizens with varying degrees of success.
• Can Reconstruction be considered a success or failure?
  • Reconstruction restored the United States as a unified nation: by 1877, all of the former Confederate states had drafted new constitutions, acknowledged the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, and pledged their loyalty to the U.S. government.
  • Reconstruction settled the states’ rights vs. federalism debate that had been an issue since the 1790s.
  • Reconstruction failed to protect former slaves from white persecution and failed to engender fundamental changes to the social fabric of the South.
• Does the success or failure of Reconstruction matter today?
  • Effects of Reconstruction still impact social structures in America today.
• How did the institution of slavery impact race relations in the United States?
  • Slavery in America was tied directly to race. After the abolition of slavery, this connection continued(s) to impact laws, freedoms and opportunities for people of color in America.
• Can a divided nation be restored?
  • Fundamental values can be ingrained in the culture of an area in ways that impact the daily lives of the people for generations.
  • For change to occur holistically, all parties must believe in the need for change.

Download the complete Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.