The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion questions. Topics discussed in this unit include the following: Becoming Modern: America in the 1920s: Consumerism. Looks at the rise of consumerism in the 1920s with mass production of goods. Presents a collection of commentaries, a painting by Florine Stettheimer, humorists' ideas about salesmanship, and silent commercials for consumer goods.

Much of Kruger's art questions the viewer about feminism, consumerism, and desire. Her trademark black text on a red background has been seen around the world and can still be recognized today.

Students add up the effect of images and persuasive language to analyze the art and words in advertisements.

Use an essay to start a discussion about consumerism in America or challenge students to research where their clothing came from, and what living and working conditions are like in that country.

Activist Annie Leonard narrates this anticonsumerism video that traces the links between what we consume as finished goods and what is consumed in the production of those goods. The hidden costs of consumption-costs attributable to pollution, waste disposal, and transportation-are also explored. [20:40]

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

U.S. History is designed for a two-semester American history sequence. It is traditional in coverage, following a roughly chronological outline, and using a balanced approach that includes political, economic, social, and cultural developments. At the same time, the book includes a number of innovative and interactive features designed to enhance student learning. Instructors can also customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom.