CLEP US History I

CLEP US History I covers the foundational events and themes in American history from pre-Columbian times to the Civil War.

Pre-Columbian Societies and Native CulturesEuropean Exploration and ColonizationColonial America and the Road to Independence
The Revolutionary War and Its AftermathThe Constitution and the Early RepublicExpansion, Reform, and the Road to Civil War
Understanding Civic Rights and ResponsibilitiesRecognizing Historical Patterns in Current EventsApplying Historical Thinking to Everyday Life
Mastering Multiple-Choice QuestionsMaking Timelines and Mind Maps
Pre-Columbian Societ...European Exploration...Colonial America and...The Revolutionary Wa...The Constitution and...Expansion, Reform, a...Understanding Civic ...Recognizing Historic...Applying Historical ...Mastering Multiple-C...Making Timelines and...
Advanced Topics

Expansion, Reform, and the Road to Civil War

Growing Pains

The 1800s brought dramatic changes as the U.S. expanded westward—sometimes peacefully, sometimes by force.

Westward Expansion

  • Louisiana Purchase: Doubled the nation's size in 1803.
  • Manifest Destiny: The belief that Americans were destined to settle the continent.
  • Indian Removal: Forced relocation of Native peoples, like the Trail of Tears.

Reform Movements

  • Abolitionism: Movement to end slavery.
  • Women's Rights: Seneca Falls Convention (1848) began the push for equality.

Rising Tensions

  • Sectionalism: Differences between North and South grew.
  • Compromises: Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, failed to resolve slavery disputes.

Path to Civil War

These issues led to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

Real-World Application

Debates over equality and states' rights continue to shape American society.

Examples

  • The Missouri Compromise tried to balance free and slave states.

  • The Trail of Tears forced thousands of Native Americans from their homelands.

In a Nutshell

Expansion and reform created progress—and conflict—that led to the Civil War.

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Understanding Civic Rights and Responsibilities