This course is a continuation of American History I, covering from Reconstruction through the end of the twentieth century. Students will learn about westward expansion, social movements that brought tremendous change to our laws and government, and the causes and consequences of the most deadly wars of the last century. It took the voices and actions of many different people to produce the singular structure of the United States, and because of this, the country’s political history is intimately tied with its social, economic, and cultural development. Therefore, students will learn that efforts of individuals – both famous and obscure – shaped the nation into what it is today. As we learn about our country’s rich past, we become better and more informed citizens, ready to impact its future.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Describe the settlement of the West after the Civil War
Explain the near complete destruction of Native American tribes
Trace the growth of big business and the industrial age along with its implications for Americans of different backgrounds
Give the reasons for relentless process of urbanization and the rise of the middle class
Assess the root causes of demands for various reforms and popular movements
Detail the dilemma facing the US in each world war and discuss U.S. involvement therein
Understand the Great Depression and its effects on the institution of government in the US
Explicate the rise of segregation and the Civil Rights movement
Discuss the effects of the Vietnam War and its aftermath
Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
