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United States History II
USHIST102 | 3 Credits
In United States History II, you’ll get an overview of U.S. history and its effects on American society from Reconstruction to the post-9/11 era. This course discusses major themes in American history and evaluates the successes and failures of various Reconstruction plans.
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About U.S. History II
What You’ll Learn
United States History II provides an overview of the history of the U.S. and its effects on American society from Reconstruction following the Civil War to the post-9/11 era.
- Apply historical research skills to major themes in American history since the end of the Civil War.
- Evaluate how certain components of Reconstruction policy succeeded or failed.
- Describe and assess the growth and evolution of the South and the West following the Civil War.
- Analyze the factors involved in the rise of big industry during the late nineteenth century and assess its impact on American labor.
- Explain the growth of cities in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and assess the impact of this growth on urban life.
- Identify the factors that led to the rise of Populism in the 1880s and 1890s and assess the impact of Populism on American society and politics.
- Explain the development of the Progressive movement and assess the impact of the movement at the local, state, and national levels.
- Investigate the causes of World War I, examine U.S. reasons for intervention, and evaluate the consequences of the war and the subsequent peace.
- Explain the causes of the Great Depression and evaluate the economic successes and failures of the New Deal as a response to the Great Depression.
- Examine the causes and global impact of World War II.
- Explain the causes, events, and consequences of the Cold War, including the Korean War and Vietnam War.
- Explain the causes, events, and consequences of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
- Deduce and evaluate the significance of the major domestic and international developments and the rise of global terrorism since 1990.
- Examine activism and the development of counterculture during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Analyze a primary source historical artifact and apply critical thinking to answer questions about its historical relevance.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
United States History II provides an overview of the history of the United States and its effects on American society from Reconstruction to the post-9/11 era. Students examine major themes in American history and evaluate the successes and failures of Reconstruction policy. In addition, students analyze important periods during the turn of the nineteenth century, ranging from the rise of Populism, American expansionist policy, and the development of the Progressive movement during the early twentieth century. Students investigate the causes of World War I and analyze the social and economic changes between World War I and the Great Depression. In this vein, students analyze the major themes of the twentieth century, including the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. In turn, the course follows the development and evolution of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The major domestic and international developments of the Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and the first Bush administrations are analyzed and assessed, as is the significance of major domestic and international developments since 1990.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0044
Flexible Schedule
24-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 2,300 Times
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take U.S. History II, but it is recommended that students complete U.S. History I first.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2016. ISBN: 9780073513331
Course Checkpoints
Reconstruction
- Getting Reconstruction Underway
- Did Reconstruction Work?
- What Ended Reconstruction?
The New South and the Far West
- The Making of the New South
- The Role of the West in American Life
- Conflict of Cultures: Native Americans and Settlers
- The Changing Frontier
Industrial and Urban Growth
- The Growth of American Industry and Cities
- The Foundations of Modern American Capitalism
- The New Worker
- Urban Life and Culture
Politics and Empire
- Political Gridlock
- What Was Populism?
- The Debate Over Empire
The Progressive Era
- Origins of Progressivism
- Local and State Reform
- National Reform
- Diplomacy in the Progressive Era
The Great War
- From Neutrality to Intervention
- America Goes to War
- The Unsettled Peace
The New Era
- A Time of Prosperity
- An Emerging Secular Culture
- What Caused the Great Crash and Depression?
The Great Depression and the New Deal
- The Great Depression and the American People
- What Was the New Deal?
- Did the New Deal Succeed?
World War II
- From Isolation to Involvement
- The War at Home and Abroad
- The World After the War
The Cold War
- Why a Cold War?
- The Cold War at Home and Abroad
- A Police Action?
Affluence and Change
- A Time of Plenty
- Eisenhower: General to President
- Camelot and the Great Society
- The Push for Civil Rights
Vietnam Era
- Getting Involved in Vietnam
- Vietnam, the Home Front, and Detente
- Agendas for Change
The Age of Limits and Promise
- Watergate and Its Aftermath
- The Ups and Downs of Ford and Carter
- Reagan and the Rise of the New Right
- G. H. W. Bush and the World
The Global Age
- The Clinton Years
- Diversity and Change
- Terrorism in a Global Age
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 5 Reflective Responses
- 2 Assignments
- 4 Graded Exams
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Historical Context to Drive Your Career
Explore thought and culture with humanities courses. In United States History II, you’ll gain insight into the people, ideas, and movements that shaped America as it is today. You’ll not only build historical awareness but also gain a deeper understanding of how past events continue to shape society today.
Why it matters:
- Students save an average of 90% per course on general education courses with StraighterLine
- Humanities courses teach skills that are meaningful, socially relevant, and uniquely human
How this course sets you up for success:
Communications Specialist, UX Researcher, Cultural Heritage Manager, Museum Educator, Human Rights Advocate, International Development Officer, Content Strategist, Ethics Consultant, Grant Writer, and Higher Education Administrator
How this course sets you up for success:
By taking a look at historical sources and diverse perspectives, you’ll develop critical thinking and analytical skills that are valuable in any career.
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