US History Series

This is Session 1 of 4 in the full year US History Series

It is not required to take them in order, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This class focuses primarily on early American history. It will start with the prehistoric beginnings of the continent and shifting quickly into some American Indian life. When the first two colonies are introduced, the class will begin to take off. We will be analyzing these starting settlements and the consequences of their differences and similarities. These colonies will be the focal point of the class as we study through the rest of early American history. The motivations, push-pull factors, successes, failures, and early dealings with the Native Americans will all be studied during the section on the colonies. All of these factors will lay the foundations for the early schisms between the North and the South and the Civil War itself.

From the early colonies we will jump off into American history. We will be moving through all of the aspects of early American history: from the dealings with the native population to the dealings with European and African nations on to the American Revolution, early government, and the Antebellum south. Each separate aspect we cover will be reverting back to the original colonies’ ideals and practices. These original colonies at Jamestown and Plymouth set the groundwork for much of American history, especially early on.

Finally, the class will end on the Civil War. By the end of the class, the student will have a firm understanding of early American history up until the Civil War. They should also be able to connect the influence the original American colonies had on the history covered in the class. I may be asking the students to analyze events after the Civil War and how they may have been affected by the colonies. I hope to make this class an objective view of the history of the early United States from a culturally relative perspective.

DISCLAIMER: This is history, not math. There is not a right and wrong, black and white answer to everything! So much in history can be subjective and argued over endlessly. I’m presenting the facts the best I can from various sources I’ve researched. I don’t consider any history book to be 100% accurate. It’s impossible. And same with this course. I compiled my research and put together the most authentic story I could, considering I wasn’t personally privy to the goings on during this time period.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Prehistoric American History

This section will cover aspects such as historical geography, how the native cultures moved into the Americas and their dissemination through the continents, and what the landscape was like shortly before European arrival.

Week 2: Early European Colonization

Week 2 will touch on the early European colonization in the Americas before English colonization in the present day United States. The focus will be primarily on the Spanish influence and characters such as Christopher Columbus and Coronado. Their interactions with the Native cultures will also be heavily discussed. These interactions would set the tones for further meetings between the natives and the Europeans. We will also discuss the somewhat mysterious disappearance of the first English colony in the Americas at Roanoke. These first two weeks will lay the necessary foundations to further dive into the real meat of the class.

Week 3: The Jamestown Colony and Virginia

This week will be the first step into the class and the history of the United States itself. The first successful British colony in the Americas set the stage for English expansion into the continent. The motivations and people behind Jamestown would set the stage for the South. The harsh geography would also shape the people and society in a way that would eventually become the South. As always, the colonists interactions with Native Americans will also be studied.

Week 4: Plymouth and the Massachusetts’s Bay Colonies

These colonies differed from the Virginia colonies in that the colonists were seeking a new haven for their religion. As such, religious values and family units were valued above the lust for wealth of those in Virginia. The dealings with Native Americans are important in American history, and as with most sections will also be covered here. These differences and others will be the main area of study for this week of the class.

Week 5: Colonial America and the Seven Years’ War

While weeks 3 and 4 focus mainly on the early American colonies, this week will look at what colonial life was like up until the American Revolution. The struggles and hardships for both Europeans and Native Americans involved in expanding a few colonies into 13 state sized colonies will be the focal point. The unit will end with the first global war, the Seven Years’ War (often called the French-Indian War).

Week 6: The American Revolution

This unit will begin with the reasons for the American Revolution. The friction between the British and the British colonists in the Americas from the Seven Years’ War will be the main focus in the beginning. Then we will progress through the early battles at Lexington and Concord and into the American Revolution. This section will be mainly a focus on the battles and the effects of the victories and losses.

Week 7: The Early Governments of the United States

This week we will study the effects of the American Revolution. How did the government we have now work in its early stages? How did it come to be? We will cover both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. This section will also talk about the first few American presidents and what they did for the office of president. This will be a small run into American government.

Week 8: Westward Expansion

This week we will be studying western expansion pre-Civil War. The gold and silver rushes to the Rocky Mountains and California will be looked at. The Mexican-American War and the fights over Texas will also be a part of this unit. Native American relations will also play a critical role, as this is the time frame of reservations and the Trail of Tears.

Week 9: The Antebellum South

This section will be focusing on the pre Civil War South. The society, economy, infrastructure, and the dependency on slavery will all be covered. Jamestown’s direct lines to the South will also be studied extensively. This era is important to setting up the Civil War.

Week 10: The North

Similar to the previous week, this week will be an overview of the pre-Civil War North, also known as the “Free States.” Their economy, society, and infrastructure are all key to the Civil War and their eventual victory. Both Week 9 and 10 will help set the framework for the eventual Civil War.

Week 11: The Rumblings of War

While the two previous weeks set up the tensions, this week will provide the immediate set up for the Civil War. The many laws, court decisions, and elections that preceded the Civil War were key in igniting the powder keg. This week will come to a conclusion with the Southern secession and the government of the Confederacy. That will lead into the final week of the course: the Civil War.

Week 12: The Civil War and the Consequences

The final week of the class will end with the Civil War. The focus will be on the many battles, primarily in the South. It will also cover what the governments were working on and famous speeches and laws like the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. The surrender of General Lee to General Grant will wrap up the Civil War. The Reconstruction will be touched on a little, but the consequences of that would require another class itself!

This is Session 2 of 4 in the full year US History Series

It is not required to take them in order, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The Civil War was a turning point for the United States in many ways. A nation that had been torn apart had to piece itself back together into a union that was more cohesive than ever, and that was not an easy process. This class picks up where US History Series 1 leaves off at the end of the Civil War in the era known as Reconstruction. This period of American history set the stage for the next 150 years of United States culture and politics. The following years were also important to the nation’s history. Depressions, robber barons, rich bankers, Indian massacres and movements, worker’s strikes, and westward expansion define this tumultuous era in American history; and we will be studying it all! Join us, as we bridge the gap in US history between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the First World War.

DISCLAIMER: This is history, not math. There is not a right and wrong, black and white answer to everything! So much in history can be subjective and argued over endlessly. I’m presenting the facts the best I can from various sources I’ve researched. I don’t consider any history book to be 100% accurate. It’s impossible. And same with this course. I compiled my research and put together the most authentic story I could, considering I wasn’t personally privy to the goings on during this time period.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Reconstruction

The first week of the class is focused on the period directly following the Civil War known as Reconstruction. During this era, the United States is forced to rebuild the infrastructure and the relations that were damaged by the bloodiest war in American history. We will be examining Lincoln’s assassination and its fallout, the attempts of the new president to repair the country, Congress’s rebuttal to those attempts, and the fallout from it all.

Week 2: Westward Expansion and Native American Removal

With Reconstruction’s ultimate failure to effectively repair the country, it was left by the wayside for other issues. In the second week of the course, we will examine the last bit of expansion into the West and the ultimate closing of the frontier in 1890. However, that land was not freely available. Many Native Americans still inhabited the western regions of the country, and this period of time sees multiple massacres and movements involving them. They fought for their lands, but the force of the US government ended up being too powerful of a force for them to handle.

Week 3: The Gilded Age

The late nineteenth century in America was a period of excess for the rich. Named after a book written by a leading figure of the time, Mark Twain, the Gilded Age saw the rise of wealthy bankers, rich tycoons, and robber barons. In this week, we will be studying various business figures from this time period and their effects on American history, both positive and negative.

Week 4: Urbanization and the Rise of American Cities

For those not at the top rungs of American society, the turn of the century could be a difficult time. Increased urbanization led more people to live and work in cities, and this period saw a major influx in immigration, especially from Europe. This week is a look at the factors that led cities to a boom, the horrible conditions within those cities, and what was being done to alleviate growing problems in urban environments.

Week 5: Depression and Workers’ Strikes

While the rich got richer, the poor were forced into a depression around the turn of the century. This depression caused massive unrest in America’s workers, and it led to strikes that were often put down with violence. Meanwhile, more women were starting to take a stand for their own rights. This week follows both workers and women as they attempt to navigate the rough seas set forth by the illustrious Gilded Age.

Week 6: Progressivism

The final week of the course extends directly from the week before it. With frustrations mounting to an all time high, new reforms in workers and women’s rights exploded onto the scene in the early 1900s. A variety of new ideas, reforms, and politics arose; and it took the largest war the world had ever seen up until that point to halt some of these reforms and launch others into the forefront of American life.

This is Session 3 of 4 in the full year US History Series

It is not required to take them in order, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This class is the third in the US History series that began with US History through the Civil War. While the first class in the series is not a prerequisite for this class, it is recommended to take the first class to give a wider look at US history in chronological order. In this class we will be studying both World Wars. The American perspective of the war will be the primary focus; but we will also be covering the politics, strategies, economics, and motives of the European countries involved. On the American side we will be looking into the policies, technology, economics, tactics, and battles.

The World Wars would be nearly impossible to study without context for why they happened, so there will also be brief studies on the lead up to World War I and the period between World Wars in both Europe and the United States. By the end of this class the student should have knowledge the reasons for both wars, major policies, technology and weaponry, important battles with their significance, politics , and economics in both World Wars.

DISCLAIMER: This is history, not math. There is not a right and wrong, black and white answer to everything! So much in history can be subjective and argued over endlessly. I’m presenting the facts the best I can from various sources I’ve researched. I don’t consider any history book to be 100% accurate. It’s impossible. And same with this course. I compiled my research and put together the most authentic story I could, considering I wasn’t personally privy to the goings on during this time period.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Lead up to American Involvement in WWI

This week will cover the circumstances that led to World War I. Beginning by briefly covering Otto von Bismarck, we will be moving into the complicated system of nationalism and alliances that pervaded early twentieth century Europe. We will end the week with the beginning of the war.

Week 2: US before their entrance into the war

The second week will give a little bit of history on pre WWI America. We will be looking into the newly developed technology and weapons the Americans would be using. The week will end with the US entering the war.

Week 3: To war!

With the Americans finally joining in the war, a fresh group of faces is ready to keep the war going. We will be looking into their stories and horrors through the fighting. This week will end in the end of the war.

Week 4: The US between wars

Similar to Week 4 we will be focusing on the United States during the period between wars. The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression will be the major focus of this week.

Week 5: Europe and Asia between wars

The period between world wars is critical in understanding the start of the Second World War. The political climate throughout Europe is one of the most important factors in that. We will be studying the rises of communism and fascism, the global depression, the convoluted reparation system, and more.

Week 6: The Second World War

This week will focus on the beginning of the war in Europe. The involvement of the European powers will be the main point of this week: political players and generals, battles, types of warfare, strategy, and motivations will all be covered.

Week 7: Pearl Harbor

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor begins this week. US action in the Pacific Theater will make up most of this week. It will end with the Americans joining the European stage.

Week 8: The War Ends

The final week of the class will cover the end of the war both in Europe and East Asia. About the last half of the lesson will cover the fall out and consequences of the World Wars

This is Session 4 of 4 in the full year US History Series

It is not required to take them in order, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The end of the Second World War brought lasting change to the United States and to the world. The dropping of the first nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki radically changed the ways that wars were fought between major world powers. The Soviet Union and the United States became entangled in a Cold War fought through intelligence and proxy wars. The world changed, and the effects of globalization began to be felt by so-called “First World” and “Third World” countries alike. All the while, Americans at home continued to push for social reform for women and minorities.

The last seventy years in the history of the United States shaped the country that we see today, so join us on this six-week, final installment of our US history series: The Cold War to Present.

DISCLAIMER: This is history, not math. There is not a right and wrong, black and white answer to everything! So much in history can be subjective and argued over endlessly. I’m presenting the facts the best I can from various sources I’ve researched. I don’t consider any history book to be 100% accurate. It’s impossible. And same with this course. I compiled my research and put together the most authentic story I could, considering I wasn’t personally privy to the goings on during this time period.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: The Cold War and Korea

The first week of the class picks up where US History Series 3: US Involvement in the World Wars left off. World War II has ended, but tensions between former allies sparked into another war. This war differed from others in that direct conflict between the warring nations was limited. We will be studying the process that led to the Cold War and how it affected American citizens at home. The lesson will conclude with America’s “forgotten war” in Korea.

Week 2: The 1950s

Week 2 will be a look into the changing American culture of the 1950s. Several new technologies, such as the television, led to a rise in consumption that fueled changes to the ways of living of many Americans. Suburbs cropped up around cities to provide new types of housing to those who could afford it. At the same time that the suburbs were blossoming, dissatisfied Americans continued to struggle for their rights as citizens of the United States. Their movements began growing through the decade, right alongside the growing suburbs and consumerism.

Week 3: Social Revolution

The 1960s are famous for the immense number of social movements in the United States and the rest of the world. This week will focus on the many social movements that happened during the decade. Women, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and more formed social movements to establish their voice and their place in this country. Social changes in the country are the highlight of this lesson.

Week 4: The Vietnam War

While the country is going through internal changes, the struggle between communism and democracy continues in the rest of the world. The fourth week of the course examines the Vietnam War and the leaders who took the country through it. As the war persisted, the American people became increasingly dissatisfied, leading to the war being lost. Afterwards, Vietnam became the textbook example of how a group of guerillas could win against a superpower.

Week 5: The End of the Cold War and the Collapse of the Soviet War

After the end of the Vietnam War and into the 1980s, the Soviet Union started showing signs of cracking. Its fall had a drastic effect on global politics. This week will be a look into the perspective of the United States leading to the Soviet Union’s collapse. We will be reviewing the presidencies of Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan; and we will finish up with the collapse of the USSR.

Week 6: The Globalized World

The United States continued to change through the 1990s and 2000s with the fall of the Soviet Union and the advent of new technologies, particularly widespread access to personal computers and the internet. The modern presidencies of both Bushes, Clinton, and Obama, the events of September 11, the burgeoning War on Terror, and the continued globalization of the world take precedence in this week’s lesson.