ASSIGNMENT: This assignment will involve students creating a TIMELINE that illustrates the history of MONEY in the United States from 1652 until the present day. 

THE TIMELINE:  This assignment has to do with trust of government and whether or not the government of the United States always does what is best for its citizens.  Prior to this project, students watched "College Conspracy," which discussed inflation in the United States, participated in a lecture regarding the "History of Money" and watched a documentary regarding the Gold in Fort Knox.  One of the main reason that prices keep going up in the United States is the policy of our government with regard to money and money supply.  Students will ILLUSTRATE a HISTORY of money, gold and silver, paper money and our government's policy towards money in the United States. 

REQUIRED ELEMENTS:  There are a number of money related events that MUST be conveyed in the timeline, along with data and text that EXPLAINS each of the items listed.  For each of these elements, students should relate the "Who, what, where, when, how and why" of the issue, in a very abbreviated TIMELINE format.

Additional events, facts or data should also be included, wherever possible.  Any information regarding government policy regarding gold, silver or paper money found in student research will be appropriate!

• 1652:  The first silver coins minted in America by John Hull.
• Development of the "Continental" Currency of the colonies.
• Framers ideas about coins and paper money.
• The first United States coinage/George Washington's silver.
• Financial crises of 1819 and 1837.
• Coin shortages during the Civil War and Fractional currency of 1862-1874.
• The first United States paper money:  1862
• The Great Depression.
• 1933:  FDR makes gold ownership illegal
• World War II pennies and nickels.
• 1964:  Last minting of coins with precious metals.
• 1970s:  America goes off Gold Standard.
• INFLATION IN AMERICA:  Students will research and include a comparison chart of the prices of number of everyday items and goods from the years 1950, 1980 and 2010 (or three similar time frames over the last 60-100 years).  Such items should include things like cars, houses, bread, milk, movies, etc.

FORMAT:  Groups can create their timeline in any fashion that they wish, but their final product should be readily transported, with a minimum of technological requirements.  (in other words, no PowerPoint slideshows, create something TANGIBLE!)

GRADING: This project will be worth a total of 150 points. 75 points for accurate and significant information regarding the history of money in America and 75 points for the accessible presentation of the timeline.