United States History Resource Overview

Study.com includes thousands of resources to help students and educators with content related to U.S. History. The variety of available content is inclusive for every grade level and skill set. Teachers and students can use the lessons to support learning in and outside the classroom. Lesson plans, tutoring assistance, videos, quizzes, as well a variety of other resources related to U.S. History can be found throughout this page.

U.S. history is taught in every school in the United States, as well as in schools throughout the world. U.S. history is also called American history. People often use the terms interchangeably, although some scholars believe there are differences between the two topics. After all, the land called "America" has existed long before the United States, and that is also an important part of history. Subfields in American history courses include topics such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution, among many others.

The courses Study.com offers answer questions such as "when was America founded?" and "which important leaders shaped America?" By studying the concepts and ideas taught in these courses, students are able to earn course credits and understand the fundamental beliefs that make the United States what it is today. Teachers can use the resources below to help support their own curriculum or plan daily lessons or entire units, depending on the topic. With such a vast amount of resources included, there is something for everyone looking to learn more about U.S. history.

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US History Topics

American Revolution

Learn about the American Revolution with the timeline and a list of major events from the conflict. Discover the importance of the Declaration of Independence.

Colonial Period

Examine colonial America and the 13 original colonies. Review the history of American colonialism and who the first settlers were in America during colonial times.

Early Republic

Study the history of the Early American Republic. Learn the important dates of the Early Republic Era of American history and read a summary of the period.

Early Twentieth Century

Learn about early twentieth-century U.S. history and culture. Discover major events of early 20th-century America, such as WWI and the Great Depression.

Late Twentieth Century

Learn about the late 20th century. Discover significant events that occurred in late 20th-century America. Explore key achievements of the late 20th century.

Mid-Twentieth Century

Explore the mid-20th century in the US. Discover how the early 20th century impacted the political, social, and cultural movements in the mid-20th century.

Native American History

Discover Native American history. Read about the history of Native American tribes and review the backgrounds and cultures of Indigenous American people.

Progressive Era

Learn the definition of the Progressive Era and about the four Progressive Era amendments. Explore the reasons for and results of the Progressive Era amendments.

Race and Ethnicity in U.S. History

Learn about race and ethnicity and explore the differences between them. Review race, ethnicity, and race relations in the context of American history.

Religion in America

Learn about religion in America. Discover U.S. religious demographics, study the history of Christianity in America, and examine the importance of religion in the USA.

U.S. Civil War

Discover how the American Civil War started, why it started, and the effects of the Civil War. Learn American Civil War facts and read about the war aftermath.

U.S. History Resources

Study.com has multiple resources to support and extend the learning of students from all grade levels. Learners can browse U.S. History videos, review content, and demonstrate their understanding by taking quizzes that are aligned with learning goals and topics. These resources are available to students, teachers, and people who are interested in improving their current understanding of U.S. history.

Courses and Lessons for U.S. History

There are many U.S. History topics available in the courses listed. The courses available cover content such as early American history, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the American Civil Rights Movement. Content is also divided by grade level and area of interest. When students access the courses available to them through Study.com, they will better understand the content provided and can even earn transferable credits for some of the lessons included.

History 103: US History I

U.S. History I explores topics chronologically from Early American History through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students can take quizzes to show their understanding as they progress through each topic and learn about how the United States came to be.
History 104: US History II

U.S. History II allows learners to explore American history from Reconstruction through modern times. Important events that occurred over the past 200 years are explored through videos and unique content. Up to three credits are transferable.
History 105: US History from Settlement to Present Day

This course is an overview of American history, beginning with pre-colonial America and ending with topics related to modern America. This course explores American culture and major American events.
History 106: The Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War and Reconstruction is an in-depth look at the events leading to, surrounding, and following the Civil War. Students can earn up to three credits as they develop a better understanding of the American Civil War and its importance in history.
History 307: American Civil Rights Movement

The American Civil Rights Movement is a college-level, 3-credit course that follows the Civil Rights Movement from World War II through 1970s America. This course gives students a unique perspective into this important period of American History.

For teachers and parents

U.S. History Lesson Plans for Teachers

The following links include lesson plans for teachers to use with their students. These resources can help support curriculum development in courses such as U.S. and American history, as well as AP U.S. History. Topics are divided chronologically. Lesson plans cover a variety of subjects, from early American history to World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. Each plan includes links to videos that can be watched in class or individually to support student learning. Students can take quizzes to demonstrate their understanding of a topic.

Lesson plans
  • US History Until 1789: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This lesson plan resource supports teachers who are planning lessons that address America's history up until 1789. Course topics include the Founding Fathers, the American Revolution, and the Continental Congress.

  • US History - Civil War: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This lesson plan resource includes activities and videos that help students understand the Civil War. Teachers can access unique content, including primary source material, lesson plans, transcripts, and quizzes.

  • US History 1786-1860: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This lesson plan resource addresses American history from the year 1789 up until the beginning of the Civil War. Teachers can plan lessons that address people, events, and ideas of early American history.

  • US History 1870-1940: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This resource helps teachers plan lessons related to topics following the Civil War until World War II. The topics covered begin with the Industrial Revolution and cover some contemporary history, including the September 11 attacks in 2001.

  • US History Since 1940: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This resource includes lessons and videos related to the years during and following World War II in the United States. Topics include the Truman Doctrine, Navajo Talkers, and the Korean War.

  • Civil War Unit Plan

    This unit plan is designed with nine topics that directly relate to the American Civil War and its effects. Students will learn about the causes and effects of this war, as well as its important impact on American society.

Skills and Practice for U.S. History

These resources are designed to help students master content related to all aspects of American history. The content is organized chronologically so students can easily decide which topic they would like to practice. Each section includes the most notable events from that period. Topics include the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War II, along with many other happenings that shaped America.

In addition, these resources also help learners dive deeper into the reasons behind these significant historical events, such as the causes and effects of the Civil War. Students can practice essential academic skills related to learning about U.S. history. For example, students are invited to compare and contrast important events and historical figures, and thereby think critically about how these events shaped America. This section can also support note-taking skills, developing questions, and essay writing skills.

Students can practice questions related to American history in a test-like format. This can help students prepare for quizzes and tests in school and support standardized test prep; hence, students can gain confidence as they prepare for upcoming assessments. Teachers can also use this section to assess student knowledge of topics related to American history.

Skills
Father and son doing homework

The links listed cover a curriculum that is useful in a homeschool environment. The courses include curriculum from Middle School US History: Homeschool Curriculum through AP US History: Homeschool Curriculum. Also included are High School US History: Homeschool Curriculum and 8th Grade US History: Homeschool Curriculum These links will help guide a strong homeschooling program. The topics covered will introduce and support a student's ability to learn more about the development of the United States.

Homeschool solutions Father and son doing homework

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How did the United States of America start?

    The United States of America began when colonists, who were angry about taxes imposed by the British, revolted. After the colonists won their independence in Revolutionary War, they set up a government for the United States.

  • What are some major events in American history?

    Major events in American history include the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, both World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, the September 11th attacks, and many more.

  • How was America founded?

    The United States of America was founded after winning independence from the British Empire in the Revolutionary War. Leaders like George Washington and Ben Franklin drafted a Constitution to set up the parameters for a new government.

  • What was the U.S. called before 1776?

    The U.S. was sometimes known as the North American colonies. It was usual for each colony to be known by its individual name: for example, the Pennsylvania colony, etc.