Andrew Jackson Animoto Video

Click the link below to see an Animoto video on Andrew Jackson's timeline:
My Animoto Video

QuizStar Diagnostic Test

In order to find out what we need to cover when school starts, we need to find out what you already know about the course's content.

Go to this link, register and take a diagnostic test:
Click here to register for the Diagnostic Test:

Instructions:
1.  Click the Sign-up icon
2.  Complete the Student Registration and choose a username and password
3.  Click the Search tab
4.  Under Quiz Search, type "Coach Smith's Diagnostic Test" and select the "exact match" button
5.  Select the "My Classes" link
6.  Select "Untaken Quizzes"
7.  Select "Take Quiz"


Good luck and we'll see about a prize for the highest score...

Welcome new 8th Graders -- Updated Timeline

I am posting a partial version of the timeline we'll be using in class.  Study the first three eras and make sure you know the basic facts listed for European Exploration, Colonial Settlement and the American Revolution.  When we get back to school in August, that's what we'll cover during the first two six-weeks whether you're in my class, Coach Sellers' or Mrs. Ivory's class.

Click Here for Updated U.S. History Timeline

Feel free to contact me over the summer if you have questions.

Coach Stephen C. Smith

Civil War -- End

Click Here for Civil War -- End

Civil War -- Middle

Click Here for Civil War -- Middle

Civil War -- Beginning

Click here for Civil War: The Beginning

Who Am I?

Click here for Important People in U.S. History

European Exploration and Colonial Settlement Visual Timeline

Click here for European Exploration and Colonial Settlement Visual Timeline

Revolutionary War and New Republic Visual Timeline

Click here for Revolutionary War and New Republic Visual Timeline

Westward Expansion Visual Timeline

Click here for Westward Expansion Visual Timeline

Civil War Visual Timeline

Click Here for the Civil War Visual Timeline

Major Battles of the Civil War

Beginning, Middle and End

Secession – The withdrawal of 11 Southern states from the Union in 1860-1861, precipitating the U.S. Civil War.

Beginning – The South secedes

•        December 1860 – South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union 

•        February 1861 – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia join South Carolina and form the Confederate States of America

Civil War begins at Fort Sumter, SC – April 12, 1861 – Confederate forces attack Fort Sumter before Union supplies could arrive. This attack starts the war and helps to convince people in North that war was necessary.

Middle (Turning Points)

The Battle of Gettysburg – Fought over the course of three days in Pennsylvania, it was the largest battle of the war. Lee’s army wanted to threaten Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore. After Pickett’s Charge failed, the Rebels were forced to retreat.

The Battle of Vicksburg – Ulysses S. Grant wins this battle and gives the Union control of the Mississippi River. It also cuts off Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas from the rest of the Confederacy.

End

Lee surrenders at Appomattox –  April 9, 1865 – Lee’s army is surrounded at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia  forcing their surrender. Over the next month, the remaining troops surrenders and the war ends on May 10th.

America: The Story of Us, Civil War, Part V

America: The Story of Us, Civil War, Part IV

America: The Story of Us, Civil War, Part III

America: The Story of Us: Civil War, Part II

America: The Story of Us: Civil War, Part I

Notes from March 20th and 21st -- Sectionalism and the Impact of Slavery

Impact of Protective Tariffs on Sections of the Country

The North – Response: Northerners supported the tariffs because they caused people to buy more American-made products, which they produced

The South – Response: Southerners hated the tariffs because their main trade partners were in Europe (cotton to England). Tariffs forced them to sell for a lower price and still pay the tariff.

The West – Response: Westerners supported the tariffs because the money allowed government spending on internal improvements (railroads, roads and canals).

Effects of Political, Social and Economic factors on Slaves and Free Blacks

Political

Compromise of 1850 – A package of five bills, passed in September 1850, that avoided civil war between the North and South. The compromise was drafted (written) by Henry Clay.

Bill No. 1 – California becomes the 31st state and is admitted to the Union as a free state.
Bill No. 2 – The slave trade was ended in the District of Columbia.  (this ends the sale of slaves, but not slavery itself)
Bill No. 3 – The New Mexico and Utah territories will be organized under “popular sovereignty.”
Bill No. 4 – The Fugitive Slave Act was passed, requiring all U.S. citizens to assist in the return of runaway slaves. Anyone who aided a fugitive could be fined or put in jail.
Bill No. 5 – Texas gave up much of the western land which it claimed and received compensation of $10,000,000 for its national debt.

Economic

Southern Plantation System – The Plantation System relied on slavery; slaves had no property and no rights

Northern Industrial Economy – The Slave Trade was abolished in the North; there was a large population of free blacks; free blacks could own property and some rights.

Social

Religion drew slaves together among plantations; they communicated through spirituals

Racism develops in both the North and South

Vocabulary Jeopardy for Benchmark Test

Click on the link below:

Jeopardy Vocabulary Game for Benchmark Test

Updated Timeline

This timeline is complete with facts through 1787 -- the rest you have to fill in yourself...

Click the link below:

Updated Timeline for Students