1. Welcome to Modern United States History. This week we introduce ourselves to one another and then we will hit the ground running. After an introductory activity, we will begin by reading the opening chapters in our online text and then starting our posting to the discussion board. On the Discussion board, there is a thread for you to ask me questions. Feel free to ask a question there or email me directly if you need any clarification.

2. By the end of the week you should be able to: - Introduce yourself and answers a warm-up activity about your prior knowledge of history. - Explain how settlers acquired land in the west. - Describe the major forces that drove westward expansion. - Discuss the political impact of settling the West. - Explain the new technology that transformed farming and ranching on the great plains. - Explore the final assessment for the course. 3. Week ones activities will begin with an introduction. Please post an answer to the following questions in the Discussion Board by Wednesday under the topic Introductory Activity, Week One. The introduction should include your name, anything you wish to share about yourself and an answer to the following question: In your opinion, list the 3 best presidents in United States history and share one reason why. Please read and respond to least 3 of your classmates posts by Sunday, 4. Modern United States History begins with an examination of the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age is the time period in American History between the end of Reconstruction and the turn of the 20th Century. This course is topical in nature, meaning we will cover a series of topics, all of them occurring during the Gilded Age. As we go through the next nine weeks, remember that the events that we discussing in class are happening at the same time. 5. This week, we will look first at an overview of the Gilded Age and then begin our examination of our first unit topic: Western Expansion. Read the following readings from the Digital History website: Overview of the Gilded Age Building the Transcontinental Railroad The Great American Desert The Comstock Lode The Cattle Frontier Farming on the Plains 6. After you have read the assigned readings, reflect on the following question and then post your response to the message board. What motivated some Americans to move west during the Gilded Age? Where many of them successful in whatever job they chose to do in the west? What were some of the challenges they faced? If you planned to move west during the Gilded Age, which job would you choose and why? Post your answers to the discussion board by Friday. Please read and respond to 3 of your classmates posts by Sunday. 7. We will introduce the final assessment as well this week. The document linked to the page describes the final assessment. Read the document and become familiar with what is expected of you by Sunday. The first portion of the assessment is due in Week 2.