The late 20th and early 21st centuries have been a time of rapid change and technological advancements for the United States and the world. From the end of the Cold War to the rise of the internet, modern America has seen 

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review major events in recent American history, beginning with Richard Nixon's resignation due to the Watergate scandal. We then move through the 1980s and 90s before getting into the digital revolution, the 9/11 attacks and the War on Terror. We’ll examine how the United States continues to adapt to new challenges and maintain its role on the world stage.

This episode is designed to accompany our Modern America unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most important periods in American history. Brave activists stood up to those in power to fight for equal rights for all citizens.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the key events, figures, and strategies of the Civil Rights Movement. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Greensboro sit-ins to the March on Washington and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we’ll examine how leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X helped shape the movement. We’ll also discuss the broader impact of the struggle for civil rights and how it continues to influence the nation today.

This episode is designed to accompany our Civil Rights Movement unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

For nearly 50 years, the world was divided between two superpowers locked in an ideological and geopolitical struggle—the United States and the Soviet Union. Democracy vs. communism. The Cold War shaped international relations, military conflicts, and daily life around the globe.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the key events of the Cold War, from the arms race and the Space Race to the Korean and Vietnam Wars. We’ll examine the Cuban Missile Crisis, the role of espionage, and the ideological battle between capitalism and communism. Finally, we’ll discuss how the Cold War came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

This episode is designed to accompany our Cold War unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

World War 2 was the deadliest conflict in human history, reshaping nations, economies, and societies across the globe. It was a war fought on battlefields, in factories, and on the American home front, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the causes of World War 2, from the rise of dictatorships to the policy of appeasement. We’ll review how attack on Pearl Harbor brought America into the war, major battles in Europe and the Pacific, what life was like on the homefront, and the devastating impact of the Holocaust. Finally, we’ll discuss the use of the atomic bomb and the war’s long-term consequences.

This episode is designed to accompany the World War 2 unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

The Great Depression was the worst economic crisis in American history, leaving millions unemployed, banks failing, and families struggling to survive. It was a time of hardship—but also of resilience as millions of Americans endured the difficult times.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review the causes of the Great Depression, including the stock market crash of 1929 and economic instability in the 1920s. We’ll examine how the crisis impacted everyday Americans, the environmental disaster of the Dust Bowl, and the federal government’s response through Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. From breadlines to public works projects, this episode covers the struggles and solutions of the era that reshaped the role of government in American life.

This episode is designed to accompany the Great Depression and 1930s unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

The 1920s were a decade of dazzling prosperity, cultural revolutions, and social tensions that reshaped American life. Known as the "Roaring 20s," this era saw booming industries, jazz music, and the rise of modern consumer culture—but also deep divisions over race, immigration, and Prohibition.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the highs and lows of the 1920s, from the economic boom and the Harlem Renaissance to the Red Scare and clashes between tradition and change. We’ll examine how women’s roles evolved, how Prohibition fueled organized crime, and how the decade’s excesses set the stage for the Great Depression.

This episode is designed to accompany my Roaring Twenties unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

When World War I erupted in Europe, the United States initially remained neutral—but as the war raged on, America’s entry would help tip the balance in favor of the Allies.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review the causes of World War I, the reasons behind America’s involvement, and the impact of the war on both the battlefield and the home front. We’ll discuss trench warfare, technological advancements, key battles, and the role of American forces in the final push for victory. Finally, we’ll explore the Treaty of Versailles and how the war reshaped America’s position in world affairs.

This episode is designed to accompany our World War 1 unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

At the turn of the 20th century, the United States underwent dramatic changes—pushing for social and political reforms at home while expanding its influence overseas.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review the Progressive Era, a time of trust-busting, labor rights, women’s suffrage, and efforts to curb political corruption. We’ll examine key reformers, muckrakers, and legislation that aimed to address the challenges of industrialization.

We’ll also dive into American Imperialism, including the Spanish-American War, the annexation of territories, and the rise of the U.S. as a global power. From the fight for fairness in the workplace to America’s expanding reach across the Pacific and Caribbean, this episode covers a pivotal era of transformation.

This episode is designed to accompany our Progressive Era and Imperialism unit plan for our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

Gilded Age America was a time of rapid industrialization, economic growth, and massive wealth—but beneath the surface, it was also an era of corruption, inequality, and social struggles.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we explore the Gilded Age, a period marked by the rise of powerful industrialists like Rockefeller and Carnegie, the growth of monopolies, and the struggles of workers in a changing economy. We’ll examine the impact of immigration, urbanization, political corruption, and the efforts of labor unions and reformers to address the challenges of the era. From towering skyscrapers to tenement slums, this episode reveals the opportunities and hardships of America’s industrial boom.

This episode is designed to accompany our Gilded Age unit plan for our American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.

After the Civil War, the United States faced the enormous challenge of reunifying the nation and redefining freedom for millions of formerly enslaved people.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review the Reconstruction Era, examining efforts to rebuild the South and secure rights for African Americans. We’ll discuss the Reconstruction Amendments, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the struggles faced by freedpeople in a society still resistant to change. We’ll also cover the rise of sharecropping, political conflicts between Radical Republicans and Southern Democrats, and the eventual end of Reconstruction.

This episode is designed to accompany our Reconstruction Era unit in our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.