American History Course Overview

American History continues the process of developing in students an understanding of and appreciation for God’s
activity as seen in the record of man and his relationships. The course covers early American exploration to the
present day, placing special emphasis on the politics of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the Civil War. These
areas of focus target three major content strands: History, Geography, and Government and Citizenship.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to do the following:

• Understand how conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain led to American independence.
• Understand political, economic, and social changes that occurred in the United States during the 19th
century, including changes resulting from the Industrial Revolution.
• Explain how political, economic, and social changes in the U.S. led to conflict among sections of the United
States in the 19th century.
• Describe the causes and effects of the Civil War and its aftermath.
• Describe the causes and effects of both World Wars.
• Understand some of the key challenges facing American society in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Additionally, students will gain practice in writing essays and reports, covering topics like the Monroe Doctrine, the
states’ rights debate, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, isolationism, the New Deal, the Korean conflict, and more.