Changes

Common mistakes by students in history courses include:

Common mistakes by students in history courses include:

* failure to recognize that American politics is always a battle between two sides; politics mattered in the past as much as it does today

* failing to recognize that American politics is always a battle between two sides; politics mattered in the past as much as it does today

* memorizing dates without understanding the sequence of events (exams rarely ask about dates, but do ask about sequence)

* memorizing dates without understanding the sequence of events (exams rarely ask about dates, but do ask about the sequence in which events ocurred)

* getting bogged down in detail and failing to see the big picture

* getting bogged down in detail and failing to see the big picture

* misunderstanding questions

* misunderstanding questions

* failure to apply common sense to recognize that people in the past were similar in nature to people today, with similar types of human problems

* failing to apply common sense to recognize that people in the past were similar in nature to people today, with similar types of human problems and issues

== The Key to Mastering History ==

== The Key to Mastering History ==

The key to mastering history is to find what you like and understand, and then use it as your foundation to learn everything else.  In other words, first find and learn what you like, and then learn everything else by connecting it to what you know.  This is the same technique that we all use for directions:  pick a landmark or a place that you know how to get to, and then figure out how to go from there to where you need to go.

The key to mastering history is to find what you like and understand, and then use it as your foundation to learn everything else.  In other words, first find and learn what you like, and then learn everything else by connecting it to what you know.  This is the same technique that we all use for directions:  pick a landmark or a place that you know how to get to, and then figure out how to go from there to where you need to go.

For example, if you are most interested in religion, then learn about the 13 colonies based on their different attitudes towards religion.  If you are most interested in one colony, then learn about it and how it relates to other colonies.  If you like military history, then use that as your starting point.  Perhaps you enjoy mysteries; in that case, use our list of [[Essay:Greatest Mysteries of American History|Greatest Mysteries of American History]] (it is a link in the homework) to motivate you.

For example, if you are most interested in religion, then learn about the 13 colonies based on their different attitudes towards religion.  If you are most interested in one colony, then learn about it and how it related to other colonies.  If you like military history, then use that as your starting point.  Perhaps you enjoy mysteries; in that case, use our list of [[Essay:Greatest Mysteries of American History|Greatest Mysteries of American History]] (it is a link in the homework) to motivate you.

Perhaps you like politics the most.  In that case, you'll want to memorize the presidents and leaders of Congress, and relate historical events to their times in office.  Or perhaps you enjoy legal issues, and reading about what the courts do.   If so, then you'll want to focus your attention on the major rulings of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] throughout American history, and relate other historical events to those decisions.

Perhaps you like politics the most.  In that case, you'll want to memorize the presidents and leaders of Congress, and relate historical events to their times in office.  Or perhaps you enjoy legal issues, and reading about famous trials and court rulings. If so, then you may want to focus your attention on the major rulings of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] throughout American history, and relate other historical events to those decisions.

On the SAT II U.S. History exam, the breakdown by subject matter is as follows:

On the SAT II U.S. History exam, the questions by subject matter are as follows:

<br>Political History - 32-36%

<br>Political History - 32-36% of the SAT II history exam

<br>Economic History - 18-20%

<br>Economic History - 18-20%

<br>Social History - 18-22%

<br>Social History - 18-22%

** [[Korean War]]

** [[Korean War]]

** [[Vietnam War]]

** [[Vietnam War]]

* Reagan [[conservatism]]

* the conservative movement and the Presidency of Ronald Reagan

* Post-Reagan Prosperity and the dot-com boom

* Post-Reagan prosperity and the dot-com boom

* [[9/11]] and [[terrorism]]

* [[9/11]] and [[terrorism]]

On the SAT II in U.S History, the breakdown of questions by time period is this:

On the SAT II in U.S History, the breakdown of questions by time period is this:

:Pre-Columbian history to 1789 - 20% of the questions

:Pre-Columbian history to 1789 - 20% of the questions on the SAT II history exam

:1790 to 1898 - 40%

:1790 to 1898 - 40%

:1899 to the present - 40%

:1899 to the present - 40%

Your common sense and imagination can help you master American history.  Pause for a moment and imagine what would likely happen to a nice chunk of fertile land, possibly containing riches like gold, located between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  Would some Europeans want to go there?  Of course.  Which ones would want to go there, and why?

Your common sense and imagination can help you master American history.  Pause for a moment and imagine what would likely happen to a nice chunk of fertile land, possibly containing riches like gold, located between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  Would some Europeans want to go there?  Of course.  Which ones would want to go there, and why?

One reason is to convert the natives to Christianity, just as homeschool families today often go on missionary trips to distant lands.  Another reason is to search for gold and other riches.  A third reason is to obtain freedom.  Another reason is for the same reason people climb a mountain:  because it is there!  Some want to escape where they are.  Others want to set up a new community, perhaps a new religious environment.  Others hope to meet new people and make new friends, and engage in the trade of goods with the people.  Another motivation is to learn from the new people, or have adventures and then write about them.

One reason is to convert the natives to Christianity, just as homeschool families today often go on missionary trips to distant lands.  Another reason is to search for gold and other riches.  A third reason is to obtain freedom.  Another reason is for the same reason people climb a mountain:  simply because it is there!  Some want to escape where they are.  Others want to set up a new community, perhaps a new religious environment.  Others hope to meet new people and make new friends, and engage in the trade of goods with the people.  Another motivation is to learn from the new people, or have adventures and then write about them.

What is likely to happen if a bunch of Europeans go to this land? There will be  conflict: conflicts with the natives, conflicts with other European countries, and conflicts with the mother country that sent the settlers.  But there will also be new opportunities for improvements, for new products, for new businesses, for new religions and for new systems of government.

What is likely to happen if a bunch of Europeans go to this land? There will be  conflict: conflicts with the natives, conflicts with other European countries, and conflicts with the mother country that sent the settlers.  But there will also be new opportunities for improvements, for new products, for new businesses, for new religions and for new systems of government.

Who is going to pay for exploration and settlement?  Kings.  Investors.  Churches.  But not many people wanted to risk their money on such a dangerous and uncertain project.

Who is going to pay for exploration and settlement?  Kings.  Investors.  Churches.  Many people were reluctant to risk their money on such a dangerous and uncertain project.

Who is going to do the hard labor needed to set up a new community, such as chopping down trees, working the farms, and constructing the buildings?  There was almost no money to pay anyone for the work.  Families might do some, but many of the families consisted of young children.  Pretty soon slavery developed as a form of labor, particularly in less religious settlements.  Another form of labor less objectionable than slavery was the use of [[indentured servants]].  They were workers who promised to work for free for seven (7) years in exchange for free transportation to the New World, free food and housing while there, and complete freedom (and maybe some land) after the end of the seven (7) years.

Who is going to do the hard labor needed to set up a new community, such as chopping down trees, working the farms, and constructing the buildings?  There was almost no money to pay anyone for the work.  Families might do some, but many of the families consisted of young children.  Pretty soon slavery developed as a form of labor, particularly in less religious settlements.  Another form of labor less objectionable than slavery was the use of [[indentured servants]].  They were workers who promised to work for free for seven (7) years in exchange for free transportation to the New World, free food and housing while there, and complete freedom (and maybe some land) after the end of the seven (7) years.

In learning history, it helps to look for unifying themes to organize events in your mind.  One theme that helps explain American history well is the overall expansion of Christianity for 2000 years.  Why did [[Christopher Columbus]] and other explorers risk their lives to come to the New World?  To spread Christianity.  Why did families then risk their lives to settle here?  To establish religious communities free of persecution.  Two hundred years later, why did Massachusetts prohibit slavery and why did abolitionists like President [[John Quincy Adams]] devote their lives to ending slavery?  Their religious values told them slavery was wrong.

In learning history, it helps to look for unifying themes to organize events in your mind.  One theme that helps explain American history well is the overall expansion of Christianity for 2000 years.  Why did [[Christopher Columbus]] and other explorers risk their lives to come to the New World?  To spread Christianity.  Why did families then risk their lives to settle here?  To establish religious communities free of persecution.  Two hundred years later, why did Massachusetts prohibit slavery and why did abolitionists like President [[John Quincy Adams]] devote their lives to ending slavery?  Their religious values told them slavery was wrong.

There are other possible themes also.  How about the desire to make more money?  How about the urge for self-government, to be in charge of oneself free from a monarchy?  How about the advance of technology and its effect on how we live?  There are many possible themes to American history and we will have fun debates about them.

There are other possible themes in American history.  How about the desire to make more money?  How about the urge for self-government, to be in charge of oneself free from a monarchy?  How about the advance of technology and its effect on how we live?  There are many possible themes to American history and we will have fun debates about them.

== Organizing History ==

== Organizing History ==

But before 1789 there was no president.  How are we going to organize that?  One way is to focus on the three most important colonies, [[Virginia]] (founded in 1607), [[Massachusetts]] (1620) and [[Pennsylvania]] (1681), and relate the other ten colonies and events to them.  Another way is to look at the battles that occurred before the [[American Revolution]], such as the [[French and Indian War]] in 1754-1760.

But before 1789 there was no president.  How are we going to organize that?  One way is to focus on the three most important colonies, [[Virginia]] (founded in 1607), [[Massachusetts]] (1620) and [[Pennsylvania]] (1681), and relate the other ten colonies and events to them.  Another way is to look at the battles that occurred before the [[American Revolution]], such as the [[French and Indian War]] in 1754-1760.

By the end of this course, you will be able to hear an event and describe what was going on at that time.  You will be able to tell me what happened before the event, and what happened afterward.

By the end of this course, you should be able to hear an event and describe what '''''else''''' was going on at that time.  You will be able to tell me what happened before the event, and what happened afterward.

Don't try to memorize hundreds of dates.  Instead, when you see a date, think what happened before and after it.  There are only about ten dates that you need to know.  For example, no one will ask you when Georgia was founded as a colony.  But you may be asked whether it was the first or last colony founded.  (It was the last colony established.)  Another example:  [[Quebec]] was founded in 1608.  Don't remember the 1608 date, but remember that Quebec was founded one year after [[Jamestown]] was established (1607 – one of the few dates you should memorize!)

Don't try to memorize hundreds of dates.  Instead, when you see a date, think what happened before and after it.  There are only about ten dates that you need to know.  For example, no one will ask you when Georgia was founded as a colony.  But you may be asked whether it was the first or last colony founded.  (It was the last colony established.)  Another example:  [[Quebec]] was founded in 1608.  Don't remember the 1608 date, but remember that Quebec was founded '''''after''''' [[Jamestown]] was established in 1607 (1607 is one of the few dates you should memorize, because this was when the first '''''permanent English''''' colony was established in America)

== Pre-Columbian Period ==

== Pre-Columbian Period ==

The first settlers in America were Native Americans, or American Indians.  Their origin is not known.  Some claim they migrated from Asia, but that makes little sense because American Indians are very different in many ways from Chinese and Asian Indians.  Even their blood types are typically different.   

The first settlers in America were Native Americans, or American Indians.  Their origin is not known.  Some claim they migrated from Asia, but that makes little sense because American Indians are very different in many ways from Chinese and Asian Indians.  Even their blood types are typically different.   

Some old mounds reflecting Indian settlements in the territory which is now the United States of America have been discovered, such as the Adena burial mounds and Mississippian platform towns.<ref>Melissa L. Meyer, Dean R. Snow, Charles L. Cohen, Russell Thornton, Donald A. Grinde Jr., Leah Dilworth "Indian History and Culture"  The Oxford Companion to United States History. Paul S. Boyer, ed. Oxford University Press 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  University of Tampa.  4 August 2008  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t119.e0758-s0002></ref>  The [[Cahokia Mounds]] in Southern Illinois (just east of [[St. Louis]]) reflect an Indian community dating back as early as A.D. 1000 or 1100.<ref>http://www.cahokiamounds.com/mystery_01.html</ref>  That community practiced human sacrifice, as did the [[Aztecs]] and [[Mayans]] in [[Mesoamerica]] (Mexico and Central America) and the [[Incas]] in [[South America]] prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.

Some old mounds reflecting Indian settlements still exist in the United States, such as the Adena burial mounds and Mississippian platform towns.<ref>Melissa L. Meyer, Dean R. Snow, Charles L. Cohen, Russell Thornton, Donald A. Grinde Jr., Leah Dilworth "Indian History and Culture"  The Oxford Companion to United States History. Paul S. Boyer, ed. Oxford University Press 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  University of Tampa.  4 August 2008  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t119.e0758-s0002></ref>  The [[Cahokia Mounds]] in Southern Illinois (just east of [[St. Louis]]) reflect an Indian community dating back as early as A.D. 1000 or 1100.<ref>http://www.cahokiamounds.com/mystery_01.html</ref>  That community practiced human sacrifice, as did the [[Aztecs]] and [[Mayans]] in [[Mesoamerica]] (Mexico and Central America) and the [[Incas]] in [[South America]] prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.

When talking about Indian cultures, keep in mind that the Indians in what is now the United States were a diverse selection of cultures, which included [[nomads]] from the Great Plains in the Midwest, Indian settlements in the West, and among Eastern tribes there were quasi-governmental systems with formal treaties.  Most tribes did not have a formal monetary systems, but the Cherokee and the Iroquois Nations did have business transactions.  None of the tribes of the North American continent had any formal writing systems. The Indians did introduce [[tobacco]] and [[corn]] to Europeans, which became widely popular back in Europe.  Europeans also brought new things to the Indians, such as horses and guns.

When talking about Indian cultures, keep in mind that the Indians in what is now the United States were a diverse selection of cultures, which included [[nomads]] from the Great Plains in the Midwest, Indian settlements in the West, and many Indian tribes in the East.  Among the Eastern tribes there were quasi-governmental systems with formal treaties.  Most tribes did not have a formal monetary systems, but the Cherokee and the Iroquois Nations did have business transactions.  None of the tribes of the North American continent had any formal writing systems. The Indians did introduce [[tobacco]] and [[corn]] to Europeans, which became widely popular back in Europe.  Europeans also brought new things to the Indians, such as horses and guns.

Modern historians claim that the Viking [[Leif Ericson]] established a "Vinland" colony around A.D. 1000 on the island now known as [[Newfoundland]], in the far east of Canada.  There is limited physical evidence of the colony and it is not known what eventually happened to it. The colony, if it did exist, did not last long, and there is no sign of any Viking colony in what is now the United States.<ref>"People have been looking hard for hundreds of years and there is no archaeological evidence in [New England]— it's certainly possible, the Vikings were incredible boat handlers — '''but there is no evidence'''," observed one university history professor.[http://farshores.org/a04viki.htm]</ref>

Modern historians claim that the Viking [[Leif Ericson]] established a "Vinland" colony around A.D. 1000 on the island now known as [[Newfoundland]], in the far east of Canada.  There is limited physical evidence of the colony and it is not known what eventually happened to it. The colony, if it did exist, did not last long, and there is no sign of any Viking colony in what is now the United States.<ref>"People have been looking hard for hundreds of years and there is no archaeological evidence in [New England]— it's certainly possible, the Vikings were incredible boat handlers — '''but there is no evidence'''," observed one university history professor.[http://farshores.org/a04viki.htm]</ref>