History 1865?

Question

Can someone clarify the major differences in the college courses 'History from 1865' and 'History to 1865'? I want to know the major things I will be learning. I want to decide which course I will enjoy more. Thank you!

Answer 1

I'm going to assume you're asking about U. S. history.

"To 1865" would cover the discovery of the Americas, the development of an agricultural society then a gradual change to an industrial society; the rise of independence, political, economic, and social; the causes and outcomes of the wars of the 18th and 19th centuries up to and including the Civil War.

"From 1865" would include the changing dynamics of the North and South, free and slave after the Civil War; the rise of the industrial state in the US; the wars of the latter 19th century and the 20th century; the political and social upheaval of the 1960's; and the continued rise of the imperial presidency.

One question you should ask yourself is which period of time you're more interested in. Each course can teach you different things about the place of the US society and culture in the world today. Why do we think the US is the pre-eminent country in the world, in terms of politics, miltary, economic, social, etc. Some of the answers go back hundreds of years. Here's a clue for you: it's no coincidence that the Declaration of Independence and Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" were both written in 1776.

Good luck. History does not have to be a dry recitation of people and places and dates. It can bring to life things that affect each one of us today. It's your job to find those things.

Answer 2

"History to 1865" indicates that the class will cover material from ancient history up until 1865 (i.e. like 30 B.C. to 1864). "History from 1865" suggests that the class will cover from the era of the mid-19th century and beyond. In my opinion, I would enjoy the second course more since you will be reading and evaluating texts that are more recently written and may be more relevant to life today.

Answer 3

The pivotal dividing point in US History is the Civil War (aka The War Between the States aka The War for Southern Independence). Probably one class deals with American History up to the Civil War, and the other class deals with American History during and after the Civil War. Until recently, that event was pretty much "the middle" of the American Story, so it made sense to divide the classes there. More than likely, we'll soon make the First World War that dividing line.

Answer 4

1865. the end of the Civil War. Therefore, one class is American History 1865-present, the other is colonization - 1865.