History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present

Knowledge and Skills Required

Questions on the History of the United States II exam require test takers to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities.

• Identify and describe historical phenomena
• Analyze and interpret historical phenomena
• Compare and contrast of historical phenomena

The subject matter of the History of the United States II exam is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic.

Topical Specifications

• 30% Political institutions and public policy
• 30% Social developments
• 10% Economic developments
• 20% Cultural and intellectual developments
• 10% Diplomacy and international relations

Chronological Specifications

• 30% 1865–1914
• 70% 1915–present

The following are among the specific topics tested:

• The impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction upon the South
• The motivations and character of American expansionism and imperialism
• Legal history, including constitutional amendments and major Supreme Court cases
• The role of the environment in United States history
• The development of American political parties, movements, and realignments
• The changing role of the federal government in the economy and American life
• The intellectual and political expressions of liberalism and conservatism
• Long-term demographic trends
• The process of economic growth and development, including periods of depression and recession
• The changing occupational structure, nature of work, and labor organization
• Immigration and the history of racial and ethnic minorities
• Urbanization and industrialization
• The causes and effects of major wars in United States history and diplomacy and engagement with the world
• Major movements and individual figures in the history of American arts and culture
• Trends in the history of women and the family
• Trends in education, science, and technology and their impact on United States society
• Civil rights movements, the women’s rights movement, protest movements, and the expansion of individual rights and civil liberties

Score Information

ACE Recommendation for History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present

Note: Each institution reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policy, which may differ from the American Council on Education (ACE). Contact your college to find out the score required for credit and the number of credit hours granted.