AL: U.S. History (Prehistory - 1940) is the first of two courses that will explore the development of American ideals and institutions through the study of major events, eras, and personalities in U.S. history from the Age of Exploration to the modern era. This includes the European colonization, the Civil War, and events up to the present.

The themes which will be emphasized throughout the course are:

• The diverse cultures in American society
• The economic, social and cultural transformation of the U.S. pre-industrial colonies to post-industrial cities
• The evolution of democracy in the U.S.
• The nation’s changing global role
• The historical development and basic principles of the Constitution of the United States
• The fundamental concepts of the Declaration of Independence

As you study each era of the nation's history, you will explore the events of the past that caused the United States to become one of the most powerful countries in the modern world. To successfully pass and complete this course, learners must read, watch, and interact with all course materials and components.