Credits

3 (3/0/0)

Description

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 5 and 7. This course provides a discussion of the political, economic, cultural and social factors which have shaped American history. Topics include European exploration and colonization, the American Revolution and Founding period, the rise of democracy and industrialization, sectional conflict, the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Competencies

Analyze European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Compare the economic, cultural and political systems of the various American colonies.
Describe the causes and major events of the American Revolution.
Analyze the Constitutional system created during the Founding period.
Describe the economic, regional and policy differences which led to the creation of American political parties.
Assess the rise of mass democracy in the United States during the Jacksonian period.
Describe the causes of major foreign policy conflicts in the early 19th century, especially the War of 1812 and the Mexican War of 1846.
Explain the causes of sectional conflict in the United States prior to the Civil War.
Analyze the key events of the Civil War and the Reconstruction period.
Analyze historical sources, distinguishing primary from secondary sources.
Communicate effectively using historical evidence and methods of analysis.
Analyze and understand the diversity of peoples within their distinctive historical contexts.