U.S. History: The 19th Century

Course ID: HST-111

Audience
Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs

Course Description
As the United States ushered in the 19th century, it had developed into a fiercely independent nation. The first half of the century saw not only tremendous growth, but also increasing dissension. Indeed, nationalistic and sectionalistic interests intensified. These would ultimately lead to the Civil War. But out of the ravage that tore the nation apart, a new union emerged. At the same time, the new industrial age was taking hold. By reviewing the critical events of the 19th century, you will be able to recognize the forces that shaped the current United States of America.

Media
The course is available in large print and in braille, digital talking book as well as on audiocassette.

Organization
This course in the U.S. History series is based on Units 4 to 6 of the textbook, A History of the United States. This course is divided into three modules, which are further divided into lessons.

Credit
Each course in the U.S. History series earns 0.5 unit. Therefore, students who complete all four courses in the series will earn a total of 2 units.

Prerequisite
none

Overview
Nine assignments are submitted to the instructor.

Grading
letter grades

Average Completion Time
approximately 9 months

Supplementary Course Materials
none

Objectives and Content
Module 1, based on Unit 4 of the textbook, includes Lessons 1 to 3.

After completing Lesson 1, you will be able to
1. explain how transportation and communication drew people together during this period
2. discuss the Industrial Revolution in the United States
3. examine pre-Civil War immigration to the United States
4. describe the rise of the West between 1815 and 1850
5. compare northern and southern perspectives on slavery

After completing Lesson 2, you will be able to
1. discuss the reform movements that occurred before the Civil War
2. examine the development of the abolition movement
3. describe the westward expansion in the first half of the 19th century
4. summarize the conflicts over Texas and Oregon
5. analyze the Mexican War of 1846 to 1848

After completing Lesson 3, you will be able to
1. describe the impact of the Compromise of 1850 on the slavery issue
2. explain the heightened tension between the North and the South from 1854 to 1856
3. discuss the hostility that increasingly divided the nation between 1856 and 1859
4. describe the election of 1860 and the outbreak of the war

Module 2, based on Unit 5 of the textbook, includes Lessons 4 to 6.
After completing Lesson 4, you will be able to
1. describe how the Civil War was a new kind of war
2. discuss the significance of the battles of 1861 to 1862
3. explain how the Emancipation Proclamation widened the conflict tearing the nation apart
4. identify the battles that culminated in the surrender of Lee at Appomattox

After completing Lesson 5, you will be able to
1. discuss Lincoln's plan for bringing southern states back into the Union
2. summarize the events that led to the establishment of military reconstruction
3. compare the myths and realities of the period known as Black Reconstruction
4. identify the crises that occupied the nation in the years 1873 to 1877
5. describe the uneasy situation in the South at the end of Reconstruction

After completing Lesson 6, you will be able to
1. summarize the conflict that existed between the United States and the American Indians between 1820 and 1934
2. discuss the mining frontier of 1858 to 1900
3. describe the life of the cattlemen who headed West about the time of the Civil War
4. identify the problems that the frontier farmers faced

Module 3, based on Unit 6 of the textbook, includes Lessons 7 to 9.
After completing Lesson 7, you will be able to
1. discuss railroad developments and big business in the late 1800s
2. examine oil-related issues during this period
3. describe the start of the mail-order catalog business
4. summarize the rise of department stores
5. discuss improvements in industrial production and their impact on the labor force
6. describe the beginnings of labor organization

After completing Lesson 8, you will be able to
1. describe the growth of cities in America after the Civil War
2. summarize the work of social reformers and self-helpers
3. discuss the educational opportunities during this period
4. list the contributions of the bridge builders
5. identify the advances that made skyscrapers possible
6. examine the growth of company towns and garden cities

After completing Lesson 9, you will be able to
1. discuss the presidencies of Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Chester A. Arthur
2. examine the administrations of Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison
3. describe the movements for reform and problems with the nation's money supply in the late 1800s
4. examine the political career of William Jennings Bryan