overview
The History of United States I: Early Colonization to the 1877 exam covers material typically taught in the first semester of a two-semester course in United States history. The test covers the period of United States history from European colonization to the end of Reconstruction, with most questions from the period 1790-1877. In the 17th and part of the 18th century, the emphasis is on the English colonies. The test contains a small number of questions on the Americas before 1500.
Around 120 questions are to be answered in the exam in 90 minutes. Some of these are pretest questions that will not be scored.
Knowledge and skills are required
History of the United States I exam questions require test takers to demonstrate one or more of the following skills.
- Identify and describe historical events
- Analysis and interpretation of historical events
- Compare and contrast historical events
The content of the History of the United States I exam is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions in that topic
Topical specifications
- 25% Political institutions, political development and public policy
- 25% Social development
- 15% Economic development
- 20% Cultural and intellectual development
- 15% Diplomacy and International Interaction
Chronological specification
- 30% 1500-1789
- 70% 1790-1877
The following themes are reflected in a comprehensive introductory survey course:
- The nature of indigenous societies in the Americas. The theme has a small number of questions on America before 1500.
- Impact of European discovery and colonization on indigenous societies. The focus is placed on the British colonies, but this theme contains a small number of questions on the Spanish, French and Dutch colonies and the Columbian Exchange.
- The origin and nature of slavery and its resistance
- History of immigration and ethnic minorities
- Women’s history, gender roles and changing family structures
- Development and character of colonial society
- British relations with the Atlantic colonies of North America
- The Changing Role of Religion in American Society
- Causes, Events, and Results of the American Revolution
- Contents of the Constitution and its amendments, and their interpretation by the Supreme Court of the United States
- Development and expansion of participatory democracy
- Growth and change of political parties
- The Changing Role of Government in American Life
- Intellectual and political expression of nationalism
- Major movements and individual figures in the history of American literature, art, and popular culture
- Abolitionism and the Reform Movement
- Long-Term Demographic Trends (Emigration and Internal Migration)
- Motivation and Character of American Expansionism
- Process of economic growth and development
- Causes and consequences of conflict with Native Americans, the Seven Years’ War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War and Reconstruction
- The Role of Environment in United States History
Score information
ACE Recommendations for United States History I: The Early Colonies of 1877
| Credit-granting score | 50 |
| semester hours | 3 |
Note: Each institution reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policies, which may differ from those of the American Council on Education (ACE). Contact your college to find out the score required for credit and the number of credit hours awarded.
