Description of lesson/activity
1. identify important advances in technology and transportation during this period.
2. describe the geographic, economic, political, and social features of the North, South, and West.
3. recognize the differences among the sections of the nation.
4. demonstrate an understanding of sectionalism.
5. gather information from the textbook and other resources.
6. record information in an organized way.
7. write a letter to a congressman of the early 1800s to demonstrate understanding.
1. Up to this point in the unit, students have concentrated on the federal government. This question/problem examines the different sections of the nation in the early 1800s.
2. The teacher should structure an activity to examine the new technology and developments in transportation during this period. Three early examples might be: Slater's spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI, in 1790 (the first modern factory in America); Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793; and the development of the steamboat in the early 1800s.
3. In order to understand the differences between the sections of the nation, students must first understand the features of each section. Students will research the features using textbooks and other available resources.
4. Distribute three copies of the student worksheet "Features of the Young Nation." Explain to students the possible subtopics within each major category. Suggestions include:
Economy: farming, industry, labor, trade
Politics: voting, power, role of government, issues
Society: urban/rural, rich/poor, role of women, education
Technology: one invention that helped one industry
6. Students will then examine differences between the North, South and West based on their research. "Differences within the Young Nation: Student Worksheet" has been provided for this activity. Students may work in small groups or as a class to brainstorm and list these differences.
7. The teacher should summarize this activity with a discussion of sectionalism and its importance in the development of the United States in the 1800s.
8. As a concluding activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of the differences between the sections of the nation by writing a letter to a congressman of the early 1800s. A worksheet entitled
"Differences within the Young Nation: Concluding Activity"
provides four hypothetical situations. Teachers may create additional situations if they wish. Students should react to the situations as a Northerner, Southerner, or Westerner. Teachers may decide how to distribute roles within the class. The teacher should use the accompanying "Differences within the Young Nation: Assessment Criteria" to grade the completed letters.
Resource1: Features of the Young Nation: Student Worksheet
Resource 2: Differences within the Young Nation: Student Worksheet
Resource 3: Differences within the Young Nation: Concluding Activity
Resource 4: Differences within the Young Nation: Assessment Criteria