Contents
Online American History courses are history classes about the U.S. kids take on a computer. Researchers led by Pamela Paek found kids do better on the U.S. History exams when teachers get good training and use real Advanced Placement (AP) exam topics. We will explain why learning U.S. history online is more relevant than ever.
What Are the Best American History Courses Available Online?
“I think courses that focus on women [and] courses that focus on minority groups are important for every student to take because we grow up hearing the stories of the big-name people”
Yakima Valley College
Legacy Online School: U.S. History program is a comprehensive high school course taught by certified teachers. AP U.S. History (APUSH) offered by College Board-approved providers is also a good option.
How to Choose the Right History Course for You?
Here are some tips for choosing a good course:
- Choose an interesting topic for you
- Look for lessons in different formats
- Read reviews from other kids before enrolling
- Make sure the course level matches your English level
Top Platforms Offering US History Courses
Legacy Online School gives students access to American history courses. Kids can learn online using our platform. Each course shows the past from many sides and helps kids get all the knowledge they need for the exam.
Benefits of Learning American History Online
Learning history online doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Kids still can use a certain format and pause and replay lessons. Students can choose topics beyond the school textbooks and learn about people who are not often mentioned. They can use maps and photos to understand the subject better.
How Can I Integrate American History Into a Homeschool Curriculum?
Choosing a structured curriculum like the one from Legacy Online School helps a lot. Blending textbook learning with projects brings more understanding. Making connections to current events shows how history still affects the present.
Using Legacy Online School to Maximize Your Potential
Legacy Online School gives homeschool students full support. Each course follows a simple path. Lessons explain ideas with short texts and many illustrative materials. Our platform works at home or while traveling.
Creating Engaging Learning Objectives for Learners
Strong lessons begin with clear goals. Here are some examples of simple learning goals:
- Name the thirteen original colonies
- Explain why the American Revolution started
- Describe the role of women during the war
Incorporating Social Studies Effectively
Reading short stories about life in the colonies is a good way to include social studies in a short period of time. Other options are creating a timeline on the wall or in a notebook and talking about maps and flags together.
What Are the Key Events in American History I Should Know?
Full courses cover hundreds of topics, but these events are foundational:
| Period | Key Events |
| Colonial America | Jamestown, Mayflower Compact, early colonies |
| American Revolution | Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War |
| Constitution & Founding | Constitutional Convention, Bill of Rights |
| Civil War Era | Slavery, Emancipation, Reconstruction |
| Industrialization & Progress | Gilded Age, labor movements, immigration |
| 20th Century Conflicts | World Wars, Great Depression, Cold War |
| Civil Rights & Modern America | Civil Rights Act, Vietnam, 9/11, modern politics |
Exploring the American Revolution and Its Impact
Let’s see what happened during the war and what changed after the war:
| What Happened? | What Changed? |
| Colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 | The colonies became one country |
| George Washington led the American army | The new country made its own laws |
| British soldiers fought against the colonists | People started to talk more about rights |
Understanding the Westward Expansion
Westward expansion happened during the 1800s. Many Americans moved west to find land and new jobs. Important facts about this time:
- The United States bought the Louisiana Territory in 1803
- People used wagons to travel on long trails
- The idea of “Manifest Destiny” said the country should grow west
The Reconstruction Era: A Time of Change
Here is what the country faced and what changed during Reconstruction:
| What the Country Faced? | What Changed? |
| Many buildings were broken | Some towns were built again |
| Roads and paths were damaged | Some places got help to rebuild |
| Enslaved people became free | New rules said freedom is the law |
| Old leaders lost their power | New leaders followed U.S. rules |
Why Is Studying U.S. History Important?
“U.S. history isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about the choices people made and the consequences that followed,” says our Legacy curriculum lead. Kids recognize the roots of modern issues and think critically about government, power, and change. Students understand civic duties and constitutional rights and avoid repeating mistakes of the past.
The Role of History in Understanding Modern Society
The past shows in how people live today. History helps students see these connections. Children start to understand why some things in the world work the way they do. Kids do not only learn about problems from the past. They also learn how people can fix problems.
How History Courses Enhance Critical Thinking Skills?
Kids get strong development in these ways:
- Finding the reason behind each event
- Comparing ideas from different time periods
- Asking what worked and what did not
The Impact of History on the U.S. State and National Identity
Let’s check the information about the influence of history and how it shapes a state and national identity.
| State Identity | National Identity |
| Each state remembers local events | The country remembers big events together |
| People learn about leaders from their area | Students learn about leaders from U.S. history |
| States have their own symbols | All people share the flag and national holidays |
How Did Key Historical Periods Shape the United States?
Every era of American history added something to the nation’s identity:
- Colonial and Revolutionary eras brought ideas about liberty, democracy, and independence
- Civil War and Reconstruction has debates over freedom, race, and federal power
- Industrialization shaped the modern economy and labor system
- Civil Rights Movement expanded equality and challenged systemic injustice
- Post-9/11 America redefined security, immigration, and foreign policy
The Influence of Colonization and Settlement
The table below lists the areas important for people and changes they brought.
| Area of Life | Change During Colonization |
| Land Use | Farms and roads replaced forests |
| Population | Settlers grew in number |
| Government | Local rules replaced tribal systems |
Industrialization and Its Role in American Development
Factories opened in the 1800s, and many people moved to cities for work. Machines replaced some farm jobs and brought new opportunities. Factory work brought problems as well. Many workers earned low pay and lived in poor housing. Some children worked long hours to support their families.
The Effects of Disunion and Reunification
This period showed how hard it was to fix a divided country. The Civil War started when southern states left the Union. These states wanted to keep slavery. Northern states wanted to keep the country together and end slavery. The Union won the war, and slavery ended. Southern states returned to the United States. The country entered a time of reunification.
