Unit
Chapter 16: 1980-Present
Guiding question
Invite students to explore how the American experiment plays out in the foreign and domestic policy of modern America.
Chapter 16 of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, BRI’s U.S. History Curriculum Resource, invites students to explore how the American experiment plays out in the foreign and domestic policy of modern America. Discover our suggested sequence for Chapter 16.
Teacher resource
Chapter 16: 1980-Present Inquiry Organizer
How does the American experiment play out in the foreign and domestic policy of modern America?
Lessons
Use this lesson to have students analyze strategies behind campaign advertising and how current events shape the way campaign advertising is designed.
Use this lesson toward the end of the unit with the Barack Obama, Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention, July 27, 2004 Primary Source to discuss the idea of the "American Dream" and its impact on immigration.
Use this lesson after covering 9/11 to discuss the post-9/11 United States and the implications for domestic and foreign policy. This lesson can be used with the The USA PATRIOT Act Narrative; the U.S. Military Intervention in Afghanistan Decision Point; the Does the Threat of Terrorism Justify Increased Surveillance? Point-Counterpoint; and the Was the Invasion of Iraq Justified? Point-Counterpoint.
Use this lesson at the end of the unit to review foreign policy throughout U.S. history.
Use this lesson at the end of the unit to have students review executive powers throughout U.S. history.
Use this lesson after students have read the introductory essay to introduce foreign policy milestones during Reagan's presidency. This lesson can be used with The Iran-Contra Affair Narrative; the "Tear Down This Wall" Ronald Reagan and the End of the Cold War Decision Point; and the Ronald Reagan, "Tear Down this Wall" Speech, June 12, 1987 Primary Source.
Unit resources
Since the end of the Cold War, has the world shifted towards democratic governments similar to the United States? Rebeccah Heinrichs and Chester Pachdebate this question.
After September 11th, 2001, is there justification for the increase in surveillance or does it an unnecessary violate individual liberties? Rebeccah Heinrichs and Artemus Ward debate this question.
Was the Iraq War a necessary military conflict to protect the United States or a mistake driven by unwarranted fear? Artemus Ward and Robert McMahon debate the question.
Does affirmative action violate the principle of equality or is it the correct course of action to make up for past racial discrimination? Erwin Chemerinsky and Artemus Wards debate this question.
Has the United States built itself into a global leader for freedom and protecting allies at the expensive of its own best interests? Jason Pierce and Rebeccah Heinrichs debate this question.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.
Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.