The CLEP exam "History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present" evaluates a comprehensive understanding of American history from just after the Civil War through to contemporary times. This exam mirrors the content typically covered in the latter half of a standard two-semester U.S. history college course. Here's an enhanced overview based on the CLEP exam curriculum and supplemented with additional context from my knowledge library.

Overview

• Format and Timing: Candidates are given 90 minutes to answer around 120 multiple-choice questions. Among these, some are pretest questions that do not count towards the final score.

• Focus Period: The exam spans the era from the end of the Civil War in 1865 up to the present, with a pronounced emphasis on the developments of the 20th century.

Knowledge and Skills Required

The exam tests the ability to:

• Identify and Describe: Recognize significant events, figures, and trends in U.S. history and explain their importance.

• Analyze and Interpret: Examine historical evidence, context, and narratives to understand and explain historical events and trends.

• Compare and Contrast: Evaluate the similarities and differences between various historical phenomena to understand their nature and impact.

Content Specifications

The exam content is categorized as follows:

• Political Institutions and Public Policy (30%): This encompasses the evolution of American political institutions, governance structures, policy developments, and their impacts on society.

• Social Developments (30%): This includes changes in social dynamics, movements, demographic shifts, and their effects on American culture and society.

• Economic Developments (10%): This covers the transformation of the U.S. economy, including industrialization, market changes, labor movements, and economic policies.

• Cultural and Intellectual Developments (20%): This reflects on the evolution of American cultural, artistic, and intellectual landscapes, including literature, arts, education, and philosophy.

• Diplomacy and International Relations (10%): This involves the United States' role on the global stage, including diplomatic relations, wars, treaties, and international policies.

Chronological Coverage

• 1865–1914 (30%): The post-Civil War era, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era, setting the stage for modern America.

• 1915–Present (70%): From World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II, through the Cold War, civil rights movements, and into the contemporary issues of the 21st century.

Detailed Topics

Specific areas of focus include:

• Reconstruction's impact on the South, and the transformations in Southern society and economy.

• The motivations behind and implications of American expansionism and imperialism.

• Key constitutional amendments and Supreme Court cases that have shaped U.S. law and society.

• The significance of environmental history in shaping America, including land use and conservation.

• The evolution of political parties, significant political realignments, and the development of political ideologies.

• The role and scope of federal government intervention in the economy and societal issues.

• Trends in liberalism, conservatism, and other political ideologies across different periods.

• Economic patterns, including industrial growth, depressions, and the modern economic landscape.

• Immigration trends, the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, and the impact of policies on these groups.

• The process and consequences of urbanization, industrialization, and technological advancements.

• American involvement in major global conflicts and the diplomatic strategies employed.

• The evolution of American culture, including arts, literature, and popular culture, reflecting societal values and issues.

• Developments in gender roles, family structures, education, science, and technology, and their societal impacts.

• Movements advocating for civil rights, women's rights, and the broadening of American democracy.

Scoring and Credit

• Recommended Passing Score: ACE suggests a score of 50 for awarding college credit.

• Credit Hours: Successful candidates typically earn 3 semester hours of college credit, though policies vary by institution.

Conclusion

The "History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present" CLEP exam offers a broad and nuanced assessment of American history, emphasizing critical analysis, historical understanding, and the ability to engage with complex historical materials. Preparing for this exam requires a thorough study of American history, not just memorizing facts but understanding the interplay of social, economic, political, and cultural forces that have shaped the United States from the post-Civil War era to the present. Success on this exam demonstrates a deep understanding of the transformative processes that have influenced the nation's development and its role in the world.