US History I – 1760-1877

Course Overview

Acellus U.S. History I - 1760-1877 is the first semester of a two-part series that delves into the history of the United States. Taught by Todd Edmond, U.S. History I covers the development of this country from the early settlement and colonization through the end of the Civil War. Students will study the events that took place, and also how the ramifications still affect us today.  Acellus U.S. History I is A-G Approved through the University of California and is taught by Acellus Instructor Todd Edmond.

This Course includes special enhancements from
on location filming in Boston

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Course Objectives & Student Learning Outcomes

Students learn about the time Europeans first discovered North America until the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. They examine the reasons the Europeans desired to leave their homelands in search of a new land. The settlers’ encounters with the Native Americans are discussed along with the conflicts that arise with the arrival of the colonists in the New World.

Students explore the events that brought the African Americans to the New World, and the tensions that evolve because of slavery. The course covers the political developments in the colonies as they fought to become an independent nation. The courage and sacrifice of the men who created the Constitution of the United States is reviewed.

The “growing pains” of a young nation, such as westward expansion and abolition of slavery, are examined. The development of historical analysis skills are encouraged, such as comparing and contrasting the cause-and-effect relationship between life in the North and life in the South. The course concludes by studying the Civil War.

Video presentations help all students, including struggling readers, acquire the knowledge of the events that shaped the United States during this time period. The student is presented with a series of questions designed to test their grasp of the concept presented in each video.

Course topics include:

• The American Colonies Emerge
• Life in the American Colonies
• The War for Independence
• A New Nation
• Launching the New Nation
• Nationalism and Sectionalism
• Reforming American Society
• Expanding West
• The Union in Peril
• The Civil War

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Sample Lesson - The Battle of Bunker Hill

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Unit 1 - The Colonies In this unit students begin with a focus on the importance of the Age of Enlightenment and the relationship between England and its Colonies in the New World.  Students learn about the tensions that began to emerge, the things England did to “loosen the reins,” the plantation economy in the South, the slave trade, how Africans coped in the New World, how commerce grew and what society was like in the North.  A focus is placed on the new ideas that began to emerge, the rivalry between England and France for the Empire of the New World, and the French and Indian War. Unit 2 - The War for Independence In this unit students discuss how the Colonies organized themselves, the American Enlightenment, the tensions that mounted between the Colonies and England, the beginning of the fighting in Lexington and Concord, and the Patriots’ Declaration of Independence. Students survey an overview of the Declaration of Independence, learn about how Americans were forced to take sides and why they chose as they did, the war in the middle states, Colonial life during the war, the Patriots’ European allies, Britain’s move to the South, and the surrender of the British. Unit 3 - A New Nation In this unit learn about the Founding Fathers, the Republicanism Debate, the Continental Congress, the Nationalists, the compromises that were made, and how the new government was created.  They explore the ratification of the Constitution by the original 12 colonies, and learn the difference between limited and unlimited governments.  They discuss why they should study the Constitution, as well as its major principles, and the branches of government it established. Additionally, they study the federalists versus the anti-federalists, federalism, as well as the British Crown and Bill of Rights, and the Bill of Rights itself. Unit 4 - Launching the New Nation In this unit students investigate how the new government took shape, today’s structure of state and local government, Hamilton versus Jefferson, the first political parties, and the responsibilities of citizens as well as the importance of their participation.  Additionally, students explore the purpose and function of parties, the influence of interest groups and lobbyists, the United States’ response to European issues, Native American resistance, President John Adams, the Marshall Court, the Jefferson Era, how the U.S. began to expand Westward, and the War of 1812. Unit 5 - Nationalism and Sectionalism In this unit students discuss the industrial revolution, the immigration and the business classes, the two economic systems, Clay’s “American System,” nationalism and foreign policy, and how nationalism pushed America West.  They also learn about Andrew Jackson, the removal of Native Americans, States’ rights, and the Bank of the United States. Unit 6 - Reforming American Society In this unit students study the second Great Awakening, Utopia, the influences of the Antebellum Era, how schools were reformed.  They explore Antebellum politics, the abolitionists, life in slavery, how slave owners defended slavery, how women began to push for reform, the Women’s Rights Movement, factory work, and working conditions. Unit 7 - Expanding West In this unit students focus on the expansion of the U.S. Market, economic revolution, new markets, the frontier, and frontier trails.  They also study settlers in Texas, Texan independence, Polk’s urge toward war, the war with Mexico, the American land gains, and the impact of California Gold. Unit 8 - The Union in Peril In this unit students learn about the conflict of the North versus the South, sectional politics, slavery in the Territories, compromise, and the Underground Railroad.  They study the Kansas and Nebraska act, the South Carolina Nullification, how new parties emerged, Lincoln versus Douglas, John Brown, Lincoln’s election, and the secession of the South. Unit 9 - The Civil War In this unit students discuss Fort Sumter, why the North thought this would be a short war, the weapons that were used, Richmond versus Washington D.C., and the Emancipation Proclamation.  They study political problems, African Americans in the fight, and the economies.  Additionally, they focuses on life as a soldier, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Sherman, Appomattox, new freedom, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the “Plans” for reconstruction after the war, and reconstruction issues.