US History

Unit 1 – The Americas, Europe, and Africa Before 1492

Unit 2 – The Atlantic World: Early Globalization

Unit 3 – Colonial Societies: New Social Orders (1500-1700)

Unit 4 – Rule Britannia! The English Empire, 1660–1763

Unit 5 – Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests (1763-74)

Unit 6 – America's War for Independence, 1775–1783

Unit 7 – Creating Republican Governments, 1776–1790

Unit 8 – Growing Pains – The New Republic, 1790–1820

Unit 9 – Industrial Growth in the North (1800-1850)

Unit 10 – Jacksonian Democracy, 1820–1840

Unit 11 – Westward Expansion: America's Frontier Push

Unit 12 – Cotton's Reign: The Antebellum South

Unit 13 – Antebellum Reform Movements (1820-1860)

Unit 14 – Troubled Times – the Tumultuous 1850s

Unit 15 – The Civil War, 1860–1865

Unit 16 – The Era of Reconstruction, 1865–1877

Unit 17 – Westward Expansion: America's Frontier (1840-1900)

Unit 18 – Industrialization and Big Business (1870-1900)

Unit 19 – The Growing Pains of Urbanization, 1870–1900

Unit 20 – Politics in the Gilded Age, 1870–1900

Unit 21 – Progressive Era: Reform and Change (1890-1920)

Unit 22 – American Imperialism (1890-1914)

Unit 23 – Americans and the Great War, 1914–1919

Unit 24 – The Jazz Age – Redefining the Nation, 1919–1929

Unit 25 – The Great Depression: Economic Crisis 1929-32

Unit 26 – Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932–1941

Unit 27 – World War II: America Joins the Fight (1941-45)

Unit 28 – Post-War Boom and Cold War Tensions: 1945-60

Unit 29 – Contesting Futures – America in the 1960s

Unit 30 – Political Storms at Home and Abroad, 1968–1980

Unit 31 – From Cold War to Culture Wars, 1980–2000

Unit 32 – The Challenges of the Twenty–First Century

## What do you learn in US History

US History covers the major events, people, and ideas that shaped America from colonial times to the present. You'll explore the American Revolution, Civil War, Great Depression, World Wars, Civil Rights Movement, and more. The course examines political, social, economic, and cultural developments, focusing on how they've influenced modern American society.

## Is US History hard?

US History can be challenging due to the sheer amount of information and dates to remember. However, if you're interested in the subject, it's not too bad. The key is to focus on understanding broader themes and connections rather than memorizing every little detail. Most students find it manageable with consistent effort and good study habits.

## Tips for taking US History in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create timelines to visualize events and their connections
3. Watch historical documentaries like Ken Burns' "The Civil War" or "The Vietnam War"
4. Read primary sources to get a feel for different time periods
5. Form study groups to discuss and debate historical events
6. Use mnemonic devices to remember key dates and figures
7. Connect historical events to current issues for better understanding
8. Take advantage of office hours to clarify confusing topics
9. Practice writing essays that analyze cause and effect in history

## Common pre-requisites for US History

1. World History: Covers major civilizations and global events from ancient times to the present. It provides context for understanding America's place in world affairs.

2. American Government: Explores the structure and function of the US political system. This course helps students understand the development of American democracy and its institutions.

## Classes similar to US History

1. African American History: Focuses on the experiences and contributions of Black Americans from slavery to the present. It examines issues of race, identity, and civil rights.

2. Native American History: Explores the diverse cultures and experiences of indigenous peoples in North America. It covers pre-Columbian societies, colonization, and modern Native American issues.

3. Women's History: Examines the roles and experiences of women throughout American history. It covers topics like suffrage, feminism, and women's contributions to various fields.

4. Environmental History: Investigates the relationship between humans and nature in America. It explores how environmental factors have shaped American society and vice versa.

## Majors related to US History

1. History: Involves studying and analyzing past events, cultures, and societies. Students develop critical thinking and research skills while exploring various historical periods and themes.

2. Political Science: Focuses on the study of government systems, political behavior, and public policy. Students analyze political theories, institutions, and current events.

3. American Studies: Examines American culture, society, and identity from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students explore literature, art, popular culture, and social movements in the US.

4. Sociology: Investigates human social behavior, institutions, and societal structures. Students analyze social issues, demographics, and cultural patterns in historical and contemporary contexts.

## What can you do with a degree in US History?

1. Teacher: Educates students about historical events and their significance. History teachers work in schools or colleges, developing lesson plans and engaging students in critical thinking about the past.

2. Museum Curator: Manages and interprets collections of historical artifacts. Curators research, organize exhibitions, and develop educational programs to bring history to life for museum visitors.

3. Archivist: Preserves and organizes historical documents and records. Archivists work in libraries, government agencies, or private institutions to maintain and provide access to important historical materials.

4. Policy Analyst: Researches and analyzes public policies and their historical context. Policy analysts work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations to inform decision-making on various issues.

## US History FAQs

1. How much reading is involved in a US History course? Expect to do a fair amount of reading, including textbooks and primary sources. The exact amount varies by professor, but it's typically manageable if you stay on top of assignments.

2. Are there field trips in college-level US History classes? Some professors organize optional visits to local historical sites or museums. These trips can enhance your understanding of the material and are usually pretty interesting.

3. How can I improve my essay writing for US History? Focus on developing clear arguments supported by specific historical evidence. Practice analyzing primary sources and connecting events to broader themes in American history.

History

1.1 The Americas

1.2 Europe on the Brink of Change

1.3 West Africa and the Role of Slavery

2.1 Portuguese Exploration and Spanish Conquest

2.2 Religious Upheavals in the Developing Atlantic World

2.3 Challenges to Spain’s Supremacy

2.4 New Worlds in the Americas: Labor, Commerce, and the Columbian Exchange

3.1 Spanish Exploration and Colonial Society

3.2 Colonial Rivalries: Dutch and French Colonial Ambitions

3.3 English Settlements in America

3.4 The Impact of Colonization

4.1 Charles II and the Restoration Colonies

4.2 The Glorious Revolution and the English Empire

4.3 An Empire of Slavery and the Consumer Revolution

4.4 Great Awakening and Enlightenment

4.5 Wars for Empire

5.1 Confronting the National Debt: The Aftermath of the French and Indian War

5.2 The Stamp Act and the Sons and Daughters of Liberty

5.3 The Townshend Acts and Colonial Protest

5.4 The Destruction of the Tea and the Coercive Acts

5.5 Disaffection: The First Continental Congress and American Identity

6.1 Britain’s Law-and-Order Strategy and Its Consequences

6.2 The Early Years of the Revolution

6.3 War in the South

6.4 Identity during the American Revolution

7.1 Common Sense: From Monarchy to an American Republic

7.2 How Much Revolutionary Change?

7.3 Debating Democracy

7.4 The Constitutional Convention and Federal Constitution

8.1 Competing Visions: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

8.2 The New American Republic

8.3 Partisan Politics

8.4 The United States Goes Back to War

9.1 Early Industrialization in the Northeast

9.2 A Vibrant Capitalist Republic

9.3 On the Move: The Transportation Revolution

9.4 A New Social Order: Class Divisions

10.1 A New Political Style: From John Quincy Adams to Andrew Jackson

10.2 The Rise of American Democracy

10.3 The Nullification Crisis and the Bank War

10.4 Indian Removal

10.5 The Tyranny and Triumph of the Majority

11.1 Lewis and Clark

11.2 The Missouri Crisis

11.3 Independence for Texas

11.4 The Mexican-American War, 1846–1848

11.5 Free or Slave Soil? The Dilemma of the West

12.1 The Economics of Cotton

12.2 African Americans in the Antebellum United States

12.3 Wealth and Culture in the South

12.4 The Filibuster and the Quest for New Slave States

13.1 An Awakening of Religion and Individualism

13.2 Antebellum Communal Experiments

13.3 Reforms to Human Health

13.4 Addressing Slavery

13.5 Women’s Rights

14.1 The Compromise of 1850

14.2 The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Republican Party

14.3 The Dred Scott Decision and Sectional Strife

14.4 John Brown and the Election of 1860

15.1 The Origins and Outbreak of the Civil War

15.2 Early Mobilization and War

15.3 1863: The Changing Nature of the War

15.4 The Union Triumphant

16.1 Restoring the Union

16.2 Congress and the Remaking of the South, 1865–1866

16.3 Radical Reconstruction, 1867–1872

16.4 The Collapse of Reconstruction

17.1 The Westward Spirit

17.2 Homesteading: Dreams and Realities

17.3 Making a Living in Gold and Cattle

17.4 The Assault on American Indian Life and Culture

17.5 The Impact of Expansion on Chinese Immigrants and Hispanic Citizens

18.1 Inventors of the Age

18.2 From Invention to Industrial Growth

18.3 Building Industrial America on the Backs of Labor

18.4 A New American Consumer Culture

19.1 Urbanization and Its Challenges

19.2 The African American “Great Migration” and New European Immigration

19.3 Relief from the Chaos of Urban Life

19.4 Change Reflected in Thought and Writing

20.1 Political Corruption in Postbellum America

20.2 The Key Political Issues: Patronage, Tariffs, and Gold

20.3 Farmers Revolt in the Populist Era

20.4 Social and Labor Unrest in the 1890s

21.1 The Origins of the Progressive Spirit in America

21.2 Progressivism at the Grassroots Level

21.3 New Voices for Women and African Americans

21.4 Progressivism in the White House

22.1 Turner, Mahan, and the Roots of Empire

22.2 The Spanish-American War and Overseas Empire

22.3 Economic Imperialism in East Asia

22.4 Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” Foreign Policy

22.5 Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”

23.1 American Isolationism and the European Origins of War

23.2 The United States Prepares for War

23.3 A New Home Front

23.4 From War to Peace

23.5 Demobilization and Its Difficult Aftermath

24.1 Prosperity and the Production of Popular Entertainment

24.2 Transformation and Backlash

24.3 A New Generation

24.4 Republican Ascendancy: Politics in the 1920s

25.1 The Stock Market Crash of 1929

25.2 President Hoover’s Response

25.3 The Depths of the Great Depression

25.4 Assessing the Hoover Years on the Eve of the New Deal

26.1 The Rise of Franklin Roosevelt

26.2 The First New Deal

26.3 The Second New Deal

27.1 The Origins of War: Europe, Asia, and the United States

27.2 The Home Front

27.3 Victory in the European Theater

27.4 The Pacific Theater and the Atomic Bomb

28.1 The Challenges of Peacetime

28.2 The Cold War

28.3 The American Dream

28.4 Popular Culture and Mass Media

28.5 The African American Struggle for Civil Rights

29.1 The Kennedy Promise

29.2 Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society

29.3 The Civil Rights Movement Marches On

29.4 Challenging the Status Quo

30.1 Identity Politics in a Fractured Society

30.2 Coming Apart, Coming Together

30.3 Vietnam: The Downward Spiral

30.4 Watergate: Nixon’s Domestic Nightmare

30.5 Jimmy Carter in the Aftermath of the Storm

31.1 The Reagan Revolution

31.2 Political and Cultural Fusions

31.3 A New World Order

31.4 Bill Clinton and the New Economy

32.1 The War on Terror

32.2 The Domestic Mission

32.3 New Century, Old Disputes

32.4 Hope and Change

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