Fulfill your High School American History requirement at home with training from Penn Foster High School. We’ll guide you through the course with class notes, textbooks and unlimited instructor support. Each lesson has been specifically designed for independent study – you’ll learn American History in no time.
Course Description
This course offers a chronological flow of the sweep and drama of American history — from the earliest explorers to the 21st Century. In concise, reader-friendly language, it discusses the people, events, and sociopolitical forces that have shaped America, and shows how American history affects today’s events.
The course includes a comprehensive textbook, Review Text in United States History, which contains the assigned reading materials, dozens of helpful maps and charts, and student exercises. There is also a study guide with four lessons, reading assignments, self-checks, and four multiple-choice exams.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Recognize the major historical events that influenced the development of America
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List the wars Americans participated in, their causes, and who was involved
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Identify the major figures—explorers, colonists, military officers, politicians, inventors,
diplomats, Presidents, , et al—who participated in America’s growth
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Explain the political forces that helped to shape America
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Describe the impact of America on world events at various times
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Trace how the U.S. expanded from the original 13 colonies to its present size
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Display knowledge of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
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Display knowledge of the 27 Amendments to the Constitution
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List all or most of the U.S. Presidents, in the order they served
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List facts about their state: e.g., admission date, population with ranking, and area
Course Outline
Lesson 1: The New World and the Colonial Period
How and Why Europeans Explored and Colonized America; Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands in the New World; Colonization by England; Aspects of Colonial Life; England Gains Control; Growing Differences with England; French and Indian War; Colonists Struggle for Freedom; Declaration of Independence; Revolutionary War; Foreign Aid; Britain Recognizes American Independence
Lesson 2: The New Nation to the Civil War
Articles of Confederation; Constitution; George Washington; Alexander Hamilton; John Adams; First Half of 19th Century; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; Supreme Court; Louisiana Purchase; War of 1812; James Monroe and Monroe Doctrine; Westward Expansion; Early Industrial Progress; Progress in Transportation; Andrew Jackson; Democratic and Cultural Advances; Social Reform; Expansion to the Pacific; Mexican War; Abraham Lincoln; Civil War; Reconstruction; The New South
Lesson 3: The Growth of a United Nation
Second Half of 19th Century; Settlement of Western Frontier; Transcontinental Railroad; Conflicts Between Native Americans and Settlers; End of Frontier; Agricultural Revolution and Trends; U.S. Becomes a Leader in Industry; Leading Industrialists; Leading Inventors; New Merchandising Methods: Chain Stores, Mail Order, Department Stores, Packaging, etc.; Early 20th Century; Progress in Transportation; Progress in Communication; Government Regulations; Labor Unions; Labor and Other Legislation: Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, Medicare, etc.; Immigration and Its Effects; Improvements in Government; Educational Progress; Civil and Political Rights for Blacks; Modern America Emerges; A Chronology of Presidents, 1881-1921; Spanish-American War; Panama Canal; World War I and Its Aftermath; League of Nations; Great Depression; Franklin D. Roosevelt; World War II
Lesson 4: The United States in the Twentieth Century
Second Half of 20th Century; United Nations; Cold War; Harry S Truman; Korean War; John F. Kennedy; Vietnam War; Middle East Conflicts; Fidel Castro and Latin America; First Space Satellites; Journeys into Space; Americans Land on Moon; Cold War Ends; Soviet Republics Dissolve U.S.S.R.; Presidential Administrations Since World War II; Foreign Developments, Affairs, and Highlights; Federal Government and Civic Responsibility; Legislative Branch; Executive Branch; Executive Departments; Independent Agencies; Law Enforcement Agencies; Judicial Branch
Also: Declaration of Independence; Constitution; Amendments; U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents; Profile of the States
How it Works
After registering for the American History course, all of your learning materials will be shipped directly to you. If you like, you can also go to our website and download some of your study materials to get a head start. Your learning materials will guide you through the course content, explaining concepts and operations through a series of lessons. After each lesson, you’ll take an exam which you can submit by phone or our website. As you pass each lesson, you’ll proceed to the next topic until you complete the course.
There are four exams that need to be passed to complete your course in American History and you’ll have up to 15 weeks to complete the course.
Support
If you should ever need help with your studies, you can e-mail or call our instructors who will gladly help you with any questions that you might have.
Study Time
Since there is no set class schedule, you study when and where it’s convenient for you. You can complete your course as quickly as you’d like.
Completion
When you have successfully completed your course, you will receive a letter of completion along with an official transcript listing your completed course(s) and grades. You can apply your course towards our Diploma Program or a diploma from your local High School (be sure to check with your school authorities regarding mandatory attendance policies and whether they agree that the Penn Foster High School Program is acceptable toward the completion of your high school education).
Accreditation
Penn Foster High School is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; has met the high standards of integrity and performance set by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), Washington D.C., and is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Whether you’re looking for accelerated studies or credit recovery, regionally and nationally accredited Penn Foster High School provides the courses you need to complete your High School Diploma.
