The APUSH “Chronological Reasoning through Periodization Activity” for the Time Period 1844–1877

A CHatGPT-produced step-by-step, with this work inspired by the work of APUSH teacher Johnny Burkowski

The “Chronological Reasoning through Periodization Activy for the time period 1844–1877” is an activity designed to help APUSH students understand the key events and themes within this time frame, and how they relate to one another. The objective is to encourage students to think critically about historical periods and their significance. Here is an example of such an activity:

Step #1

Divide students into small groups of 3–4.

Step #2

Provide each group with a set of event cards covering significant events between 1844 and 1877, such as:

• The annexation of Texas (1845)
• The Mexican-American War (1846–1848)
• The California Gold Rush (1848–1855)
• The Compromise of 1850
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
• The Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860)
• The Civil War (1861–1865)
• The Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
• The Gettysburg Address (1863)
• The 13th Amendment (1865)
• Reconstruction (1865–1877)
• The 14th Amendment (1868)
• The 15th Amendment (1870)
• The end of Reconstruction (1877)

Step #3

Instruct each group to arrange the event cards in chronological order.

Step #4

Once the groups have arranged the events chronologically, ask them to identify any patterns, trends, or themes that emerge from the events. This could include the expansion of slavery, the growing divide between the North and the South, the fight for civil rights, or the role of the federal government in Reconstruction.

Step #5

Encourage each group to create a timeline that visually represents the events and includes brief descriptions and analysis of the events’ significance.

Step #6

After the timelines are completed, have each group present their work to the class, focusing on the key patterns, trends, and themes they identified. Encourage discussion and debate about the significance of these events and how they shaped the period from 1844 to 1877.

Step #7

Finally, lead a class discussion on how understanding the chronological context of this period can help students better analyze the causes and effects of events, as well as recognize the importance of periodization in historical analysis.