Video 2: When is Thanksgiving?

Colonizing America

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Thanksgiving was a harvest celebration where Native Americans and Pilgrims
shared food.
o Colonization by settlers led to conflicts and took land away from Native
communities.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Thanksgiving shows both friendship and trouble between Native people and
settlers.
o Learning about Thanksgiving teaches us about Native and colonial history.
3. Vocabulary: Pilgrims (people who traveled for religious freedom); Wampanoag (a
Native tribe that helped the Pilgrims)
4. Short Answer: Thanksgiving stories help us learn about early America.
5. Critical Thinking: Thanksgiving encourages us to think about Native American history
and rights.

Video 3: The Natives and the English

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Native people had rich cultures, languages, and governments.
o At first, relations with the English were friendly, but they later turned into fights
over land.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Settlements changed Native land and lives.
o Native Americans and settlers shared ideas, food, and tools at first.
3. Vocabulary: Colonists (people who settle in a new land); Land (important resource
fought over)
4. Short Answer: Settlers and Native people had both good and bad interactions.
5. Critical Thinking: Learning this history helps us understand Native land rights today.

Video 4: The Quakers, the Dutch, and the Ladies

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Quakers believed in fairness and were peaceful.
o The Dutch influenced trade and culture in early America.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Women in Quaker communities had more rights than in other areas.
o The Dutch encouraged diversity in the colonies.
3. Vocabulary: Pacifism (belief in peace); Rights (basic freedoms)
4. Short Answer: Quakers taught tolerance and respect for others.
5. Critical Thinking: Women’s early roles helped shape future rights.
Video 5: The Seven Years War and the Great Awakening

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The war changed who controlled land in North America, giving Britain more
power.
o The Great Awakening was a time when people became more interested in
religion.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The war made people think about freedom from British control.
o The Great Awakening opened people’s minds to different religions.
3. Vocabulary: Revival (renewed interest in something); Militia (small group of citizen
fighters)
4. Short Answer: Both events helped make colonists feel united.
5. Critical Thinking: Religion and ideas of freedom grew together.

Video 6: Taxes & Smuggling - Prelude to Revolution

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Colonists were unhappy with taxes they had no say in and started smuggling to
avoid them.
o The British government wanted control over colonial trade and taxes.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Writing and speaking out helped unite colonists.
3. Vocabulary: Boycott (refusing to buy things to protest); Smuggling (sneaking in goods)
4. Short Answer: Taxes and unfair rules led to anger and ideas of freedom.
5. Critical Thinking: Learning about early protests helps us understand fairness in
government.

Video 7: Who Won the American Revolution?

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The colonies won independence from Britain, becoming the United States.
o People from many backgrounds fought in the war.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Foreign countries helped the colonists with supplies and money.
3. Vocabulary: Patriot (colonist who supported freedom); Independence (freedom from
control)
4. Short Answer: Winning the war led to creating the United States.
5. Critical Thinking: The Revolution teaches us about fighting for what’s fair.
Video 8: The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Articles of Confederation didn’t work well because it made the government
too weak.
o The Constitution created a stronger government with shared powers.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Federalism balances power between the national and state governments.
3. Vocabulary: Constitution (rules of government); Federalism (sharing power)
4. Short Answer: The Constitution set up laws and rights for the country.
5. Critical Thinking: A good government needs balance and rules.

Video 9: Where US Politics Came From

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Political parties started because of different ideas on government strength.
o Federalists wanted a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists wanted
more state power.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o These early debates still influence our politics.
3. Vocabulary: Federalist (strong national government); Anti-Federalist (more state power)
4. Short Answer: Political parties represent different beliefs.
5. Critical Thinking: Different ideas keep a government fair by balancing power.

Video 10: Thomas Jefferson & His Democracy

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Jefferson supported an agricultural (farming) society.
o Jefferson’s beliefs conflicted with his ownership of enslaved people.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Jefferson’s ideas shaped early American democracy but were complicated by his
actions.
3. Vocabulary: Democracy (government by the people); Agriculture (farming)
4. Short Answer: Jefferson’s presidency helped define democracy in America.
5. Critical Thinking: A leader’s actions should match their beliefs for true democracy.

Video 11: The War of 1812

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The War of 1812 was about British interference in American trade and territory.
o The war ended in a tie but boosted American pride.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The war helped Americans feel more independent from Britain.
3. Vocabulary: Neutrality (staying out of conflict); Nationalism (pride in one’s country)
4. Short Answer: The War of 1812 strengthened American identity.
5. Critical Thinking: Wars can shape a nation’s feelings of independence.

Video 12: The Market Revolution

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Market Revolution changed America’s economy, with factories and new
jobs.
o Improved transportation made trade easier.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The Market Revolution shifted people from farms to cities for work.
3. Vocabulary: Industrialization (building more factories); Economy (the way people make
and spend money)
4. Short Answer: The Market Revolution brought new opportunities and challenges.
5. Critical Thinking: Major changes in jobs affect how people live and work.

Video 13: Slavery

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Slavery was important for the Southern economy but caused deep divisions in
society.
o Abolitionists were people who wanted to end slavery.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Slavery’s impact on American society still affects us today.
3. Vocabulary: Abolitionist (person against slavery); Plantation (large farm that used
enslaved labor)
4. Short Answer: Slavery shaped the economy but hurt many lives.
5. Critical Thinking: Understanding the past helps us work toward fairness today.

Video 14: Age of Jackson

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Jackson expanded voting rights to more white men.
o His Indian Removal Act forced Native Americans off their land.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Jackson’s policies helped some but harmed others, especially Native Americans.
3. Vocabulary: Democracy (rule by the people); Indian Removal (forcing Native
Americans to move)
4. Short Answer: Jackson’s policies changed America in major ways.
5. Critical Thinking: Fair leadership considers everyone’s rights and welfare.

Video 15: 19th Century Reforms

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Reform movements focused on improving society through education, women’s
rights, and more.
o Leaders like Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony fought for change.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o These reforms still inspire today’s rights movements.
3. Vocabulary: Suffrage (right to vote); Reform (making change)
4. Short Answer: These movements helped expand freedoms for many.
5. Critical Thinking: Social improvements help create a fairer world.

Video 16: Women in the 19th Century

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Women were expected to focus on family life, but some began fighting for more
rights.
o The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 was the first major meeting for women’s
rights.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Women began organizing to change laws and gain equality.
3. Vocabulary: Suffrage (right to vote); Rights (basic freedoms)
4. Short Answer: The women’s rights movement laid the foundation for future changes.
5. Critical Thinking: Efforts for equality continue to influence rights today.

Video 17: War & Expansion

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The U.S. believed in "Manifest Destiny" – the idea of expanding westward.
o Expansion led to conflicts with Mexico and Native Americans.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Expanding west brought opportunities but caused harm to others.
3. Vocabulary: Expansion (growing or spreading out); Manifest Destiny (belief in
expansion)
4. Short Answer: Manifest Destiny led to U.S. growth but had negative effects on Native
Americans.
5. Critical Thinking: Expansion must be balanced with fairness and respect for others.

Video 18: The Election of 1860 & the Road to Disunion

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Abraham Lincoln’s election led Southern states to leave the Union, starting the
Civil War.
o The country was divided over slavery.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Slavery and states' rights were main causes of the Civil War.
3. Vocabulary: Secession (leaving a group); Union (the Northern states during the Civil
War)
4. Short Answer: Lincoln’s election set off a chain of events that led to war.
5. Critical Thinking: Divisions over big issues can lead to serious conflicts.

Video 19: Battles of the Civil War

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Key battles included Gettysburg and Antietam, which were both turning points.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The war was costly for both sides but important in shaping America’s future.
3. Vocabulary: Battlefield (place where fighting happens); Casualty (person killed or hurt
in war)
4. Short Answer: The Civil War was fought for big changes, especially ending slavery.
5. Critical Thinking: War leaves lasting effects on countries and their people.

Video 20: The Civil War, Part I

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Civil War began over disagreements about slavery and states' rights.
o The North was industrialized, while the South relied on farming and slavery.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The Civil War challenged people’s beliefs about equality.
3. Vocabulary: Union (North); Confederacy (South)
4. Short Answer: The Civil War reshaped the nation and eventually ended slavery.
5. Critical Thinking: The Civil War shows how a divided nation can be brought back
together.

Video 21: The Civil War, Part II

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in Confederate states.
o The Union’s victory ended slavery and brought the country back together.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The Civil War’s outcome was a major step toward equality.
3. Vocabulary: Emancipation (freedom from slavery); Surrender (giving up)
4. Short Answer: The war ended, leading to freedom for enslaved people.
5. Critical Thinking: Ending the Civil War changed the future of the U.S.

Video 22: History of the 4th of July

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The 4th of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Independence Day shows the value of freedom and unity.
3. Vocabulary: Independence (freedom from control)
4. Short Answer: The Declaration of Independence was a key document in U.S. history.
5. Critical Thinking: Celebrations like July 4th remind us of our shared values.

Video 23: Reconstruction and 1876

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South and give rights to freed people.
o New laws gave African Americans citizenship and voting rights.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Reconstruction showed the challenges of uniting a divided country.
3. Vocabulary: Freedmen (formerly enslaved people); Reconstruction (rebuilding)
4. Short Answer: Reconstruction gave new rights but faced resistance.
5. Critical Thinking: Building fair laws takes time and effort.

Video 24: The Industrial Economy

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Industrial Revolution changed America with factories, railroads, and new
jobs.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Factories brought jobs but also harsh working conditions.
3. Vocabulary: Factory (place where things are made); Urbanization (moving to cities)
4. Short Answer: New technology helped the economy grow.
5. Critical Thinking: Industry changed the way people lived and worked.

Video 25: Westward Expansion

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Settlers moved west for land, which led to conflicts with Native Americans.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Expansion brought new opportunities but affected Native lands.
3. Vocabulary: Homestead Act (law for free land in the West); Trail of Tears (forced move
of Native Americans)
4. Short Answer: Westward expansion shaped the U.S. but hurt Native Americans.
5. Critical Thinking: Expansion can have both positive and negative effects.

Video 26: Growth, Cities, and Immigration

1. Comprehension Questions:
o New immigrants helped build cities but faced prejudice.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Immigrants brought diversity and new skills.
3. Vocabulary: Immigrant (someone who moves to a new country); Tenement (crowded
housing)
4. Short Answer: Immigration helped build American cities.
5. Critical Thinking: Respect for others helps create strong communities.

Video 27: Gilded Age Politics

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Gilded Age was marked by big businesses, wealth, and political corruption.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Unequal wealth created tensions in society.
3. Vocabulary: Monopoly (one company controls everything); Corruption (dishonest
actions)
4. Short Answer: The Gilded Age showed the need for fair business practices.
5. Critical Thinking: Fairness in business affects everyone’s life.
Video 28: The Progressive Era

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Reformers worked to fix problems like unsafe factories and poor housing.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Progressives wanted safer cities and better worker rights.
3. Vocabulary: Reform (making positive changes); Progressivism (idea of social change)
4. Short Answer: Progressives fought for a better society.
5. Critical Thinking: Making changes helps protect people’s rights.

Video 29: American Imperialism

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The U.S. expanded overseas, gaining territories like Puerto Rico and the
Philippines.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Imperialism raised questions about control over other countries.
3. Vocabulary: Colony (territory controlled by another country); Nationalism (pride in
one’s country)
4. Short Answer: Expansion made the U.S. more powerful.
5. Critical Thinking: Controlling other lands can cause conflicts.

Video 30: Progressive Presidents

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Presidents like Roosevelt and Wilson supported fair work laws and environment
protection.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Progressive leaders aimed to protect people’s rights.
3. Vocabulary: Trust-busting (stopping big companies from unfair practices)
4. Short Answer: Progressive presidents helped make workplaces safer.
5. Critical Thinking: Leaders shape how fair or safe our society can be.

Video 31: America in World War I

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The U.S. joined WWI to protect its ships and support allies.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o WWI brought big changes to American society.
3. Vocabulary: Allies (countries that work together); Neutral (not taking sides)
4. Short Answer: WWI made the U.S. a major world power.
5. Critical Thinking: Working with other nations is important for peace.

Video 32: Women’s Suffrage

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Women worked for years to gain the right to vote.
o Leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul organized protests and campaigns.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The right to vote was a major step for women’s equality.
3. Vocabulary: Suffrage (right to vote); Protest (showing disagreement)
4. Short Answer: Women’s suffrage gave women a voice in decisions.
5. Critical Thinking: Equal rights allow everyone to have a say in society.

Video 33: The Roaring 20s

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The 1920s were a time of economic growth, new inventions, and cultural change.
o Many people enjoyed jazz music, movies, and modern technology.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The 1920s brought new freedoms but also led to economic problems.
3. Vocabulary: Jazz (a new style of music); Economy (system of making and spending
money)
4. Short Answer: The 1920s were a time of excitement and change.
5. Critical Thinking: Too much spending can lead to problems, like the Great Depression.

Video 34: The Great Depression

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The stock market crash in 1929 led to job losses and poverty.
o Many people struggled to find work and food.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The Great Depression taught lessons about saving and government support.
3. Vocabulary: Stock market (where people buy and sell shares in companies);
Unemployment (not having a job)
4. Short Answer: The Great Depression was a difficult time for many.
5. Critical Thinking: Learning from hard times helps prevent future problems.
Video 35: The New Deal

1. Comprehension Questions:
o President Franklin Roosevelt created the New Deal to help people find jobs and
support families.
o Programs like Social Security helped people during the Depression.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The New Deal showed that the government could help in times of trouble.
3. Vocabulary: Social Security (help for retired and disabled people); Relief (help given to
people in need)
4. Short Answer: The New Deal helped many people during hard times.
5. Critical Thinking: Having safety nets can help people feel secure.

Video 36: World War II Part 1

1. Comprehension Questions:
o WWII began because Germany, Japan, and Italy wanted more power.
o The U.S. joined the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The war was costly but was seen as necessary to stop dangerous governments.
3. Vocabulary: Allies (countries working together); Axis (countries against the Allies in
WWII)
4. Short Answer: WWII was a global conflict to stop aggression.
5. Critical Thinking: Working together helps countries stop threats.

Video 37: World War II Part 2 - The Homefront

1. Comprehension Questions:
o People at home supported the war by rationing and working in factories.
o Women took on new jobs to help the war effort.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o WWII showed how people can come together during hard times.
3. Vocabulary: Rationing (saving or using less); Homefront (people working at home
during war)
4. Short Answer: People supported the war in many ways.
5. Critical Thinking: Support at home is as important as fighting on the battlefield.

Video 38: The Cold War

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Cold War was a time of tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
o Both countries wanted to spread their ideas and were rivals.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The Cold War showed the dangers of distrust between powerful countries.
3. Vocabulary: Rival (competitor); Communism (system where the government owns all
property)
4. Short Answer: The Cold War was about ideas, not battles.
5. Critical Thinking: Understanding each other’s views can prevent conflict.

Video 39: The Cold War in Asia

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The U.S. tried to stop the spread of communism in Asia, especially in Korea and
Vietnam.
o These conflicts were part of the larger Cold War.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The U.S. felt it had to support countries against communism.
3. Vocabulary: Containment (keeping something from spreading); War (fighting between
countries)
4. Short Answer: The U.S. helped Asian countries resist communism.
5. Critical Thinking: Trying to stop the spread of ideas can lead to conflict.

Video 40: Civil Rights and the 1950s

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Civil Rights Movement aimed to end segregation and gain equal rights for
Black Americans.
o Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equality.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The movement used peaceful protests to make change.
3. Vocabulary: Segregation (keeping people apart by race); Equality (being treated the
same)
4. Short Answer: The movement brought important changes for fairness.
5. Critical Thinking: Fair treatment is essential for a united society.

Video 41: The 1960s in America

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The 1960s saw movements for civil rights, women’s rights, and against the
Vietnam War.
o Young people wanted change and a more peaceful world.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The 1960s pushed people to think differently about government and equality.
3. Vocabulary: Protest (speaking against something); Activist (someone who works for
change)
4. Short Answer: The 1960s were a time of big change and new ideas.
5. Critical Thinking: Standing up for what’s right can bring positive changes.

Video 42: The Rise of Conservatism

1. Comprehension Questions:
o In the 1970s and 1980s, many people wanted less government and more
traditional values.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Conservatism focused on free markets and traditional values.
3. Vocabulary: Conservatism (support for traditional values and limited government)
4. Short Answer: Conservatism shaped new ideas in politics.
5. Critical Thinking: Political ideas affect how we make decisions in society.

Video 43: Ford, Carter, and the Economic Malaise

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Ford and Carter dealt with economic problems and high gas prices.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The 1970s showed how events like gas shortages affect everyday life.
3. Vocabulary: Inflation (when prices go up); Crisis (a serious problem)
4. Short Answer: High prices and low trust in government were key problems.
5. Critical Thinking: Economic struggles affect everyone, showing the need for strong
leadership.

Video 44: The Reagan Revolution

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Reagan believed in smaller government and lowering taxes.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o Reagan's policies changed how the government and economy worked.
3. Vocabulary: Deregulation (removing rules in business); Taxes (money paid to the
government)
4. Short Answer: Reagan’s policies aimed to help businesses grow.
5. Critical Thinking: Changes in government size can affect people’s everyday lives.

Video 45: George HW Bush and the End of the Cold War

1. Comprehension Questions:
o The Cold War ended when the Soviet Union broke up.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The end of the Cold War led to a new, more peaceful world order.
3. Vocabulary: Collapse (breakdown); Diplomatic (peaceful problem-solving)
4. Short Answer: The Cold War’s end changed the world.
5. Critical Thinking: Peaceful changes are important for lasting stability.

Video 46: The Clinton Years, or the 1990s

1. Comprehension Questions:
o Clinton focused on improving the economy and expanding trade.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The 1990s saw a tech boom and increased trade.
3. Vocabulary: Technology (tools like computers); Trade (buying and selling goods)
4. Short Answer: New technology and trade brought growth.
5. Critical Thinking: Technology impacts everyday life and global connections.

Video 47: Terrorism, War, and Bush 43

1. Comprehension Questions:
o 9/11 led to the War on Terror and new security measures.
2. Discussion Prompts:
o The events of 9/11 changed security in the U.S. and around the world.
3. Vocabulary: Terrorism (violence for a political goal); Security (keeping people safe)
4. Short Answer: 9/11 led to new focus on safety.
5. Critical Thinking: Balancing security and freedom is a challenge.

Video 48: Obamanation

1. Comprehension Questions:

o Obama worked on healthcare, economic recovery, and

international cooperation.
2. Discussion Prompts:

o Obama’s focus on healthcare helped many