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Gavin Walton
- October 21, 2024
Welcome to study.com: US History II! This class gives you a rollercoaster ride through some of the most interesting, revolutionary eras in American history. Don’t go into this class expecting just another history lesson that involves cramming due dates, proper names and other rituals into your head. This course is about the development of America from the end of the Civil War up to the present day and includes such events as the Cold War, the Black Power Movement, and present politics. It is not only important for students to have phenomenal memories, but it is also to have a bird’s eye view of the course of history and perhaps, analyze and synthesize different events.
Throughout study.com History 104: US History II, you will analyze crucial timelines that include Reconstruction, the Industrial Revolution, the Roaring ‘20s, and social movements that shaped the great nation that is America today. This course is formatted in such a way that it makes history easy, simple, and very interesting for everyone who takes it no matter whether new to American history or brushing up on his previous knowledge. So sit comfortably let’s go on cracking this history nut!
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What to Expect from Study.com History 104 Class 📖
study.com History 104: US History II provides you with a plethora of information that will make you understand why and how America is today. From the period after the Civil War through the post 9/11, this class divides over a hundred years of American history into lessons that are easy to comprehend. The course is centered on the Reconstruction period, Industrialization, the World, Vietnam, and the Cold War which defined America’s domestic and foreign policies. These topics are going to be the focus of the exam so make sure to look for the lessons that are linked to them.
You are going to need to devote a great amount of time to politics, and the political shifts that have occurred, particularly during the twentieth century. You’ll get into the Progressive Era reforms, the Great Depression, or the civil rights movements that transformed American society beyond measure. These are the meat and potatoes, the periods where you’ll find out how activism and politics collide to create change and yes, they will be on your exam! For instance, subjects such as the Great Depression and what came with it will be covered in detail, with more emphasis on FDR’s New Deal and how it shifted the American political landscape for good.
Yet one other area to be cautious of is the post-WWII American foreign policy. These issues will include the Cold War, the involvement of the United States in numerous world conflicts, and its roles in the contemporary world. Some of the most likely subjects that you are likely to encounter in your exams include the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, and the fall of the Soviet Union. So get ready for the roller coaster ride, what you are about to witness is how each part of the historical story affected the other to shape the America of today!
Week-by-Week Study Plan to Ace Study.com History 104 Exam📝
Ready to ace study.com History 104: US History II? Here is a step-by-step guide for the week-by-week plan that will enable you to go through the course so effortlessly. Also, do not forget that the plan must be followed through and widely practiced in order to be effective at the end of the exam!
Week 1: Reconstruction & Gilded Age (1865-1900)
- Mainly, the understanding of the reconstruction period and the amendments, 13th, 14th, and 15th, should be emphasized. These topics will be working knowledge with you as you build your knowledge base.
- Focusing on the Gilded Age, here is what has to be done: Begin reading about the Gilded Age, being more concerned with industrialization, incorporation of big business, and social transformations.
- External Resource: Before moving further watch this Crash Course video on Reconstruction so that you get an idea of the time period.
Week 2: The Progressive Era & American Imperialism (1900-1917)
- Dive into the Progressive Era and its reforms. Study the impact of key figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.
- U. S imperialism: do not overlook how the U. S. colonized overseas during this era.
- External Resource: Use the Quizlet sets on the Progressive Era to help you reinforce what you’ve learned.
Week 3: World Wars I & II
- Focusing on the background and effects of both World Wars having American society’s organizational and political perspective.
- After the war in ‘The Great War’ you should read more about the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, and in WW II – the attack on Pearl Harbor and D-Day.
- External Resource: You can also look at Simple History’s WWII playlist on YouTube as it provides an entertaining way of learning about the different events.
Week 4: The Cold War & Civil Rights (1945-1970s)
- The subject of the Cold War is extremely vast. The most important things to focus on are crises and wars, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
- Also, the civil rights movements of the ’50s and the ’60s will be challenged. Learn the main movements and acts, of the main leaders including Martin Luther King Jr.
- External Resource: Check out the short video from Khan Academy’s video on the Civil Rights Movement for an easy-to-digest overview.
Week 5: Contemporary America (1970s-2013)
- Focus on major political shifts during this period, from Reaganomics to the War on Terror.
- Reflect and analyze the United States of America’s foreign policies during the Nixon and Carter administrations, and post-September 11 regime.
- External Resource: For a quicker understanding, feel free to glance at The Reagan Revolution Flashcards on Quizlets.
Week 6: Review & Practice
- Now it is possible to sum up all the information that has been described in the process. Review such periods as Reconstruction; both the World War; and the Cold War and up to the contemporary political evolution.
- A good idea is to take practice quizzes and tests then you can tell how much you are getting or missing.
- External Resource: Use Study.com’s practice quizzes to test your knowledge.
Week 7: Final Prep & Mock Exam
- It’s the final stretch! Review any weak spots, especially key topics like the Progressive Era and civil rights movements.
- Take a full-length mock exam and see how you do under exam conditions.
- External Resource: Watch This YouTube video on how to study effectively for your finals.
If you follow the workout plan below, you will be ready for them all by week-by-week! If stress or burnout begins to creep up on you, just take a break, step away, stay consistent and if you feel overwhelmed just ask for help. You’ve got this!
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Dive Deeper: Free External Resources to Enhance Your Historical Understanding📂
- Crash Course YouTube Channel
Crash Course is an awesome YouTube channel developed by John and Hank Green showing history in an entertaining way.
- Crash Course US History Playlist – This series is good to watch if you want short and simple videos related to US history such as the Reconstruction, Progressivism, and World War I & II among others. What’s more, is that you will learn something new in each video that is thoroughly informative and filled with humorous content.
- Khan Academy
One of the best sites that provide comprehensive, simple explanations to make learning faster is Khan Academy which focuses on history as a historical source. They are perfect for a long explanation of a certain topic that might have intrigued you in one of their videos.
- Khan Academy US History Lessons – This is a free course that explores the reconstruction period right up to modern American history. It allows the understanding of the subject at your own comfortable rhythm and can come back to watch if things are not understood.
- Quizlet Flashcards
For flashcards, Quizlet is the best since it helps to memorize important dates, key figures, events, etc.
- US History II Flashcards – The uses of this set of flashcards are as follows: US History II Flashcards – This is applicable if you want to revise some of the study areas in a hurry.
- Simple History YouTube Channel
If you’re a visual learner, Simple History is your go-to resource. They explain complex historical events through simple animations.
- Simple History YouTube Channel – Watch their videos on the World Wars, the Cold War, and Civil Rights for a straightforward, visual understanding of key historical periods.
- U.S. History.org
For those who like to use text-based resources, a good read would be the U. S. History. org gives a comprehensive analysis of the history starting from the formation of the U. S to contemporary history.
- U.S. History.org – Get all your resources in easy-to-read articles although it is best suited for articles that you will encounter in your coursework. Ideal for reflection on the material that requires additional explanation on the part of the teacher.
- The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
This site provides information about this nation’s history through primary sources, essays, and videos that are freely accessible.
- The Gilder Lehrman Institute – Very useful for referring to such primary sources as speeches, letters, and essays belonging to respective epochs to get an idea about a certain historical period.
- OpenStax U.S. History
If you’re looking for a free text that spans from the pre-colonial era up to modern-day America, OpenStax is going to serve you well.
- OpenStax U.S. History Textbook – A framework that contains a rich and detailed rendering of the US history which is a great source to consult for further reading as well as to clear up any misunderstandings about specific topics.
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Key Historical Moments: Topics That Deserve Your Focus🔑
In this broad section, we will demystify some of the major concepts that you will come across when studying study.com History 104: US History II. These are some of the concepts you need to get acquainted with in your exam, and mastering the concepts will enable you to do well in the course.
- Reconstruction Era vs. Civil Rights Movement
Reconstruction,1865-1877 Reconstruction and Civil Rights Movement, the 1950s-1960s can be compared and contrasted on the basis of their endeavors of racial justice. : Using the NAACP and the militant group as methods to fight for the rights of African Americans, the outcome and goals were very different.
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Aspect
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Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
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Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)
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Goal
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Rebuilding the South, integrating freed slaves
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Achieving legal equality and ending segregation
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Key Achievements
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13th, 14th, 15th Amendments, Freedmen’s Bureau
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Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965)
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Challenges
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Southern resistance, the rise of Jim Crow laws
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Systemic racism, violent backlash
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Outcome
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Failure to achieve long-term racial equality
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Major legislative victories, ongoing struggle
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The main point to remember from here is that, although the Reconstruction prepared African Americans’ rights, the Civil Rights Movement established these rights.
- The Great Depression vs. The Great Recession
Economic shocks that both occurred in literature were highly disastrous but each in a different setting. To discern between and get an opportunity to see the similarities and differences in a single glance here is a comparison to help you.
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Aspect
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The Great Depression (1929-1939)
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The Great Recession (2007-2009)
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Cause
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Stock market crash, bank failures, lack of regulation
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Housing market crash, subprime mortgage crisis
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Unemployment Rate
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Peaked at 25%
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Peaked at 10%
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Government Response
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New Deal (Roosevelt)
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Economic Stimulus Act (Bush), ARRA (Obama)
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Recovery Time
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Took over a decade, aided by WWII
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About 4 years, though the effects lingered
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The Great Depression was used as a reference year in most economic studies and therefore be ready for questions comparing modern crises such as the Recession to this period.
- Isolationism vs. Interventionism in US Foreign Policy
Another major theme of the history of the United States was the transformation from isolationism as the foreign policy of the United States to interventionism. This is earmarked for the 20th century, where we find the influence of imperialism with such events as World War I, World War II, and The Cold War among others.
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Aspect
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Isolationism
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Interventionism
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Definition
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Avoiding entanglements in foreign affairs
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Actively involved in global conflicts
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Example
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Pre-World War I neutrality
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US entry into World War II after Pearl Harbor
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Rationale
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Avoid costly wars, focus on domestic issues
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Protect democracy, promote global stability
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Outcome
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Delayed involvement in global conflicts
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Led to major world influence post-1945
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You’ll see that after WWII, the US fully embraced interventionism, setting the stage for its role as a global superpower throughout the Cold War and beyond.
- Progressive Era Reforms
The Progressive movement era covered between 1890 and 1920 and it expanded several important reforms in social, political, and economic regions. Here are four major reforms you should understand:
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Reform
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Purpose
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Impact
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Sherman Antitrust Act
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Break up monopolies
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Limited corporate power, promoted fair competition
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Child Labor Laws
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Prevent children from working in hazardous conditions
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Improved safety and education opportunities for children
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Women's Suffrage (19th Amendment)
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Gave women the right to vote
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A major step towards gender equality
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Meat Inspection Act
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Ensured safer, cleaner meat production
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Raised health standards, protected consumers
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Progressive Era reforms reshaped America, targeting issues like corporate power, labor conditions, and gender inequality. You’ll see these reforms frequently tested as they had lasting effects on US society.
Understanding these key concepts will give you a strong foundation for tackling the material in study.com History 104: US History II. Use these comparisons and explanations as study tools to break down complex historical events and movements into easy-to-grasp ideas. Next up: FAQ to address some of the burning questions you might have about the course! Stay tuned!
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Study.com History 104 FAQ❓
Q1: How many hours of time in a week should I spend studying?
The suggested amount of time to spend on study is between 4-6 hours. This includes the watching of the video lessons, the notes, and practice quizzes that are made available by the teacher. Make sure that you start studying early and do not wait until the last minute to start your study!
Q2: Is watching the video lessons sufficient or should I find other articles?
Videos on how to study.com are a great tool for reviewing and absorbing material, but it is always to your benefit to have other tools such as flashcards, YouTube videos, or even listening to a history podcast. It is always good to reinforce concepts from different points of view.
Q3: What does it mean if I do not do well on any test?
Don’t panic! In case you do not pass well in the exam, find out areas that you had difficulty in and work more with quizzes or practice tests in the particular area. study.com provides lots of material to support you in your studies and improvement of the exam in case of failure.
Q4: Should I focus on essays or written assignments?
Focus on the large concepts such as Reconstruction, civil rights, economic periods including depression, and foreign policies including isolationism-interventionism. These themes are usually assigned to be analyzed by the professors, therefore, by having the detailed insight of their understanding and the understanding of the general consequences connected with them, one could benefit from the essays.
Q5: How can I best retain all the information before the exam?
There are constructive ways of studying such as the use of flashcards, teaching, self-assessment, and quizzing are effective in revising what has been learned. Another area that can be helpful is using the mnemonic, to remember the essentials like dates, terms, or significant events.
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End of the Road: Concluding Your History Exploration📄
Congratulations on getting to the end of this guide for study.com: History 104: US History II. I assume that at this point you have had an idea of what is expected of you in the course, week by week plan, and the essential concepts to focus on. The history of America can be divided into many milestones of time starting from the period of Reconstruction to the political conservatism of the late 1900s. It’s not just about reaching a goal of a certain number of facts Learning the events, the causes, and the effects, and being able to assess how history has led us to the present.
I also want to remind you that effort is the primary factor of success in this course. Stay on schedule, use outside resources, and go back to topics that you find difficult. If approached correctly you don’t just pass this exam but you learn to greatly appreciate the history of Americans too.
Good luck, and have a good study! You’ve got this!
