Changes

Then I fill in the other presidents in between, with reasons why they were not so conservative.

Then I fill in the other presidents in between, with reasons why they were not so conservative.

For example, Thomas Jefferson was not conservative because he bought new territory, engaged in the Tripoli War, continued Alexander Hamilton's programs and imposed the Embargo Act against trade with Europe.  You may find this approach helpful in remembering all of American History since George Washington.

For example, Thomas Jefferson was not particularly conservative because he was personally opposed to religion in government, unsuccessfully fought the Tripoli War, continued some of Alexander Hamilton's big government programs (like a national bank) and imposed the Embargo Act against trade with Europe.  You may find this approach helpful in remembering all of American History since George Washington.  Or perhaps you have your own approaches for keeping the presidents straight, and organizing historical events.

== Key Terms Through Reconstruction ==

== Key Terms Through Reconstruction ==

The highlighted terms are the most important, and the ones for students to focus on first.  The non-highlighted terms are more for the students in the "honors" portion of this course.  Any of these terms may appear on the exams in this course.

Listed below are the key terms for the first half of American history (through Reconstruction).  The highlighted terms are the most important, and the ones for students to focus on first.  The non-highlighted terms are more for the students in the "honors" portion of this course.  Any of these terms may appear on the exams in this course.  Several of our students are already planning to take the CLEP exam, and anyone doing that should know as many of these terms as possible.

 

The list is not as daunting as it appears.  Homeschoolers who win the spelling bees memorize the entire dictionary, which is tens of thousands of words.  This list is only about 321 terms.  A homeschooler like Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Edison would quickly memorize and know the meaning of all the terms on this list, not because they are smarter, but because they believed in trying their best.  You can try your best also, and use time for this purpose that is otherwise wasted.

This chart can be used effectively to quiz yourself.  Pick out any term, and try to identify its time period and who was president.  Does the term refer to foreign policy (e.g., dealings with a foreign country) or domestic policy (e.g., an issue internal to the United States)?  Even if you don't recall immediately the meaning of the term, try to figure it out based on what you do know.

This chart can be used effectively to quiz yourself.  Pick out any term, and try to identify its time period and who was president.  Does the term refer to foreign policy (e.g., dealings with a foreign country) or domestic policy (e.g., an issue internal to the United States)?  Even if you don't recall immediately the meaning of the term, try to figure it out based on what you do know.