American History 2 - Westward Expansion to Post-Vietnam

This course is a part of:

Associate of Paralegal Studies

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Bachelor of Business Administration

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

This course is a continuation of American History I, covering from Reconstruction through the end of the twentieth century. Students will learn about westward expansion, social movements that brought tremendous change to our laws and government, and the causes and consequences of the most deadly wars of the last century. It took the voices and actions of many different people to produce the singular structure of the United States, and because of this, the country’s political history is intimately tied with its social, economic, and cultural development. Therefore, students will learn that efforts of individuals – both famous and obscure – shaped the nation into what it is today. As we learn about our country’s rich past, we become better and more informed citizens, ready to impact its future.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Describe the settlement of the West after the Civil War

• Explain the near complete destruction of Native American tribes

• Trace the growth of big business and the industrial age along with its implications for Americans of different backgrounds

• Give the reasons for relentless process of urbanization and the rise of the middle class

• Assess the root causes of demands for various reforms and popular movements

• Detail the dilemma facing the US in each world war and discuss U.S. involvement therein

• Understand the Great Depression and its effects on the institution of government in the US

• Explicate the rise of segregation and the Civil Rights movement

• Discuss the effects of the Vietnam War and its aftermath