Updated August-Spet., 2012
| History of the United States I: Early Colonizations to 1877 |
Updated August-Spet., 2012
Exam type:
CLEP: 120 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 3 units
Breakdown of CLEP exam .(Always check the College Board site for the latest information.)
About one-third of the questions deal with the period from 1500 to 1789
- Political institutions, behavior, and public policy 35%
- Social developments 25%
- Economic developments 10%
- Cultural and intellectual developments 15%
- Diplomacy and international relations 15%
about two-thirds are on the period from 1790 to 1877.Among the specific topics tested are the following:
The character of Colonial society; British relations with the Atlantic colonies; motivations and character of American expansionism. The content of the Constitution and its amendments, and their interpretation by the Supreme Court. The growth of political parties and the changing role of government in American life The intellectual and political expressions of nationalism Agrarianism, abolitionism, and other such movements Long-term demographic trends The process of economic growth and development Origins and nature of Black slavery in America Immigration and the history of racial and ethnic minorities Causes and impacts of major wars in American history Major movements and individual figures in the history of American arts and letters Major movements and individual figures in the history of women and the family
The material covered in the CLEP exam in History of the United States I: Early Colonizations to 1877 (which is reflected in the lecture notes and study guide which follow) is generally considered equivalent to a one semester lower division college course.
A) Spend at least two study sessions with a good encyclopedia (United States of America - History). You might also want to go through the section on Government. Read the early history of each state of the original 13 colonies (each state has a separate entry in the encyclopedia). As history unfolds and new territories and states are added to the Union, read the early history of each territory and state in the encyclopedia.B)As you read this material draw up a list for future cross referencing. This list would contain the names of prominent individuals, Supreme Court decisions, laws, amendments to the Constitution, major events, political parties, industries, etc. The list will provide a useful outline for review, and you can look up the other references as you fill in your regular study sessions.
C) You can use any standard textbook published within the last 8-10 years (frequently available for just a few dollars at a thrift shop or used book store).
Read the material in each section of the Study Guide. In order to stay focused, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.
Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice. Remember to keep your Journal up to date.
ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY GUIDE
The Study Guide is divided into 6 Study Units, which were derived from the chapter breakdown of an on-line text (Outline of the History of the United States). Plan to spend between 10-12 hours on each of Units 1 to 3 and 15 to 20 hours on each of Units 4 to 6.Each Unit starts with a description of one or more programs from the Annenberg/CPB video series Biography of America followed by a link to a transcript of the program and a link to Video on Demand available to those with broadband connections. Each program has a link to a timeline and other related material.
The Video section is followed by a chapter in the on-line text Outline of American History. Additional headings provide links to online lecture notes, and additional readings.
A Quiz section links to material from The American People, Nash, et.al. which contains chapter summaries and self-test quizzes. (Bookmark and browse the Glossary from the publisher (Longman)).
The Library section links to a bibliography of books that may be found in your local library.
Each unit ends with a Resource section of additional Internet resources.
Each Unit has its own Web page:
You will also want to explore the following thematic timelines through 1877: [checking new URL] Thematic timelines from The American People (Nash)1.Native Americans from the Pre-Columbian Era to the Present
2.Slavery and the Slave Trade, 1619-1865
3.American Immigration and Nativism
4.Religion in America
5.The American Land-Ecology and Cultural Geography
6.Party Politics and Government in America
7.American Reform Movements
8.Struggles for Civil Rights and Equality
9.Women in America
10.The United States Constitution
11.Labor and Capitalism in America
12.American Economic History
13.Popular Culture and the Arts in America
14.American Military and Diplomatic History to 1865
15.American Military and Diplomatic History from 1865 to the Present (to 1877 for purposes of thos CLEP)
DISCLAIMER: This site is provided to assist those interested in the subject matter, and has proved useful to students preparing for the CLEP exam. However, there are no guarantees that this will help anyone pass the exam. All links are to sources believed to be accurate. This site is not sponsored or endorsed by, or affiliated with, either the College Board or the Annenberg/CPB Channel.
Good Luck!
and let us know how you are doing.
| Campus Map - Homepage | Administration | Library | Lecture Hall | Student Support Center |
|Computer Center | Student Union | Outside Resources |
Free University Online:
e-mail to: jack@freeuniv.com
500 Kentucky Ave.
Savannah, GA 31404
tel: (912) 233-4288 fax: (912) 233-4815
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2012 Free University Project
Home Page URL = http://www.freeuniv.com
Current Update: Aug.-Sept. 2012
Some portions are also copyright the Annenberg/CPB Channel. Used with permission.