U.S. History to 1865
This course recounts the story of the United States by looking at the experiences of the many diverse races and nationalities that, woven together, have created this country. Students will learn to appreciate the contributions the various peoples have made to the American culture. Emphasis is placed on how both compromise and conflict have played major parts in American history.
Topics and Objectives
The Study of History
- Identify problems unique to the study of our past.
The American Revolution
- List the factors that led the American colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain.
- Define the social, political, and economic revolutions that took place in America as a result of the War for Independence.
The Creation of a Federal Republic
- Examine the problems the United States faced after gaining independence, how the national government under the Articles of Confederation seemed incapable of addressing those problems, and the subsequent need for revision.
- List the advantages that the Constitution of the United States had over the Articles of Confederation in forging a strong centralized federal government.
Westward Expansion and the Growth of Sectionalism
- Describe how each region of the United States developed different economic and social systems and explain how these differences led to sectionalism.
- Describe the significance that Westward Expansion had on U.S. economic growth, how it exacerbated sectionalism, and its subsequent effect on domestic and foreign policy.
The Origins and Legacy of the Civil War
- Explain the origins, legacy, and significance of the Civil War.
- Analyze why a democratic nation failed to address the crisis peacefully.