- Course Type CLEP
- Subject History and Social Sciences
- Level Introductory
- Length 7 Modules
- Video Length 2h 52m
- Reading Pages 643
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
History of the United States I covers the material typically taught in the first semester of a two-semester U.S. history survey. The course examines the period from early European colonization through the end of Reconstruction, emphasizing political, social, cultural, economic, and diplomatic developments. The majority of the CLEP® exam questions focus on the period 1790–1877.
This is a free, self-paced Modern States course with no prerequisites. It is aligned to the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam and is designed to prepare you to succeed on the test and earn college credit at no cost.
Modern States originally developed this course in collaboration with Elvin T. Ramos, Ph.D.. Eric J. Morgan of University of Wisconsin-Green Bay supported course enhancements published in 2025.
Course Overview
History of the United States I Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| Module 1: The Colonial Period 00:26:51 total video length 238 total reading pages |
1: Introduction to The Colonial Period | 0:01:21 | – |
| 1.1: The Age of Exploration | 0:05:03 | 56 | |
| 1.2: The Beginnings of Colonization | 0:09:54 | 62 | |
| 1.3: The Colonial World | 0:03:40 | 61 | |
| 1.4: The 18th Century | 0:06:53 | 59 | |
| 1: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 2: The American Revolution 00:24:07 total video length 114 total reading pages |
2: The American Revolution | 0:01:33 | – |
| 2.1: The Coming of the American Revolution | 0:15:36 | 58 | |
| 2.2: The War for Independence | 0:04:34 | 28 | |
| 2.3: The Creation of New Governments | 0:03:57 | 28 | |
| 2: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 3: The United States Constitution 00:12:40 total video length 28 total reading pages |
3: The United States Constitution | – | – |
| 3: The United States Constitution | 0:01:25 | – | |
| 3.1: Development and Ratification | 0:09:13 | 28 | |
| 3.2: Outline of the United States Constitution and Separation and Limitations of Powers | 0:02:02 | – | |
| 3: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 4: The New Nation (1789-1824) 00:43:59 total video length 59 total reading pages |
4: The New Nation (1789–1824) | 0:03:04 | – |
| 4.1: The Federalist Era | 0:06:13 | 30 | |
| 4.2: The Washington Administration | 0:04:37 | – | |
| 4.3: Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs | 0:05:14 | – | |
| 4.4: John Adams’s Administration | 0:02:26 | – | |
| 4.5: Jeffersonian Era | 0:07:09 | 29 | |
| 4.6: Madison’s Administration | 0:02:09 | – | |
| 4.7: Internal Development | 0:04:04 | – | |
| 4.8: The Expanding Economy and Industrialization | 0:09:03 | – | |
| 4: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 5: Jacksonian Democracy and Westward Expansion (1824-1850) 00:23:53 total video length 116 total reading pages |
5: Jacksonian Democracy and Westward Expansion (1824–1850) | 0:01:18 | – |
| 5.1: The Jacksonian Democracy (1829–1841) | 0:03:10 | 28 | |
| 5.2: The Jacksonian Indian Policy | 0:03:01 | – | |
| 5.3: The Election of 1840 | 0:02:58 | 30 | |
| 5.4: An Age of Reform | 0:05:26 | – | |
| 5.5: The Role of Minorities | 0:04:41 | 58 | |
| 5.6: The Westward Expansion | 0:03:19 | – | |
| 5: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 6: Sectional Conflict and the Causes of the Civil War (1850-1860) 00:23:56 total video length 60 total reading pages |
6: Sectional Conflict and the Causes of the Civil War | 0:01:37 | – |
| 6.1: The Crisis of 1850 and America at Mid-Century | 0:07:23 | 29 | |
| 6.2: The Return of Sectional Conflict | 0:08:55 | 31 | |
| 6.3: The Coming of the Civil War | 0:06:01 | – | |
| 6: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 7: The Civil War and Reconstruction (1860-1877) 00:14:53 total video length 28 total reading pages |
7: The Civil War and Reconstruction (1860–1877) | 0:01:36 | – |
| 7.1: Hostilities Begin | 0:05:43 | 28 | |
| 7.2: The Union Preserved | 0:03:27 | – | |
| 7.3: The Ordeal of the Reconstruction | 0:04:07 | – | |
| 7: Summary | – | – | |
| Course Conclusion | – | – |
