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Students will create a PowerPoint Project that takes them through the different eras of American
History. Each slide in the presentation will be on a different era or topic. The information that
needs to be included on each slide will be included in the rubric below. Every slide must have
the needed information and include a picture or map.

Slide 1- Title Slide with Name

Slide 2- The First Americans- Who were the first people to occupy the area of the United States?
How did they first arrive?

Slide 3- European Exploration- What were some reasons for European Exploration that led them
to the North American continent? Who were some of the explorers and in what areas did they
land?

Slide 4- European Impact- What impact did the establishment of Colonies by Europe in North
America have on the Native American people who had already lived there?

Slide 5- Colonization- What European countries established major colonies in the area of the
United States? When and where was the first English Colony?

Slide 6- French and Indian War- Which countries fought in the French and Indian War? What
was the cause of this war? During what years did it occur and which country won?

Slide 7- The Path to Independence- During the Mid-1700s, the Colonists in America were
beginning to become disgruntled by the British Government that ruled them. In 1776, these
colonists would ask for independence. Find three reasons that the Colonists had for wanting
their independence from the British Government.

Slide 8- Founding Fathers- Name two people who played a major role in declaring and/or
gaining independence for the United States. Briefly describe their role.

Slide 9- The American Revolution- Name one advantage that the British Army had over the
Colonists and then name an advantage that the Colonists had over the British army during the
American Revolution. During what years did the war occur? Also, name a major battle of the
war.

Slide 10- After Independence- After winning the Revolutionary War and our Independence, the
United States developed the Articles of Confederation to govern our country. However, the
United States quickly discarded the Articles of Confederation and wrote a new document that
created our current system of government. Name that document that created our current
government and name the three branches of government that it created. Also name the first
leader of our country and tell why he was chosen as our first President.
Slide 11- Growth of America- During Thomas Jefferson¶s presidency, the size of the United
States doubled. How did Jefferson manage to double the country¶s size? Who did we acquire
this land from and whom did Jefferson send to explore the new land?

Slide 12- More Growth of America- By the Civil War the size of the country had grown greatly.
What areas of land did the United States acquire from 1800-1860 and from what countries did
we acquire them?

Slide 13- The Civil War- What were some reasons that the Southern States had for wanting to
split from the United States? What years did the Civil War occur and what was the result from
its ending?

Slide 14- After The Civil War- How did the newly free black population adapt to life in the
United States after the Civil War? Were they treated fairly in American society? What kind of
discrimination and hardships did the African-American population face during the period
between 1870 and the 1960s? Give some examples that showed the discrimination and
segregation.

Slide 15- World War I- What started World War I in Europe? Did President Wilson feel that the
USA should become involved in World War I when the war began? What made the United
States enter in to the war? What countries did we fight against in World War I?

Slide 16- The Great Depression- Give a reason that the Great Depression that began in the 1920s
started. What was the unemployment rate of this period?

Slide 17- World War II- What prompted the United States to become involved in WWII? What
countries were we fighting against in the War? What new invention of that time allowed us to
end the War on the Japanese front quickly? What happened to Germany after World War II?

Slide 18- The Cold War- Describe what Communism is. The Cold War was a period of tension
between the United States and the USSR, which was a communist country. During that period,
the United States wanted to prevent the USSR from spreading communism to other countries.
Aside from the USSR, name 3 other countries that had communist governments between 1950
and 1990. Name two wars or conflicts that the USA fought in to try to prevent the spread of
Communism.

Slide 19- Vietnam War- The Vietnam War was fought to prevent the spread of communism.
Although our troops fought bravely during this war, the USA could come home with a victory.
Find 2 reasons that made the war in Vietnam difficult for the USA to be victorious.

Slide 20- September 11th and the War in Afghanistan- Briefly describe what happened in the
United States on September 11th, 2001. What group of people was responsible for those attacks?
What role does the geography of Afghanistan make it difficult in our search for Osama bin
Laden and the Taliban?

Slide 21- The War in Iraq- Who was the brutal dictator that the United States removed as leader
of Iraq? What brutal actions did that dictator take against his own country¶s people during his
reign?
 Scoring Rubric- USA History PowerPoint
Slide # (1 pt) Title (1 pt) Information (4 pts) Picture (2 pts)

Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 18
Slide 19
Slide 20
Slide 21

Total Points Lost

_____________________ /168 points

Grade:___________

Student Name:_______________________