Course Summary

Take The Civil War and Reconstruction for Teachers to earn 3 college credits to apply toward your licensure renewal requirements. Learn with fun and engaging history video lessons that you can watch around your teaching schedule.

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Lesson Sample

American Political, Religious & Personal Identity in the Early 19th Century

The Civil War & Reconstruction for Teachers: Professional Development • 19K views • 9 min

About this course:

10 hours of educational videos

85 self-paced lessons

9 practice tests

Expert Contributor: Daniel Vermilya

8 chapters in The Civil War & Reconstruction for Teachers: Professional Development

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Course Practice Test

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Comprehensive test covering all topics
Detailed video explanations for wrong answers

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Week {{::cp.getGoalWeekForTopic(0, 8)}}

Ch 1. Life in 19th Century America {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[14522].percentComplete}}% complete

	Best Score
Lesson 1 - American Political, Religious & Personal Identity in the Early 19th Century American Political, Religious & Personal Identity in the Early 19th Century	Video Take Quiz
		Take Quiz
Lesson 2 - America's Demographic Changes in the Early 1800s America's Demographic Changes in the Early 1800s	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 3 - Secession of the Southern States: Causes & Timeline Secession of the Southern States: Causes & Timeline	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 4 - The Creation of the Confederacy: Leadership & Goals The Creation of the Confederacy: Leadership & Goals	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 5 - The Battle of Fort Sumter & the Start of the Civil War The Battle of Fort Sumter & the Start of the Civil War	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 6 - Civil War Begins: Northern and Southern Advantages Compared Civil War Begins: Northern and Southern Advantages Compared	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 7 - The First Battle of Bull Run: Civil War Blood is Shed The First Battle of Bull Run: Civil War Blood is Shed	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 8 - The Battle of Ball's Bluff: Summary & Political Ramifications The Battle of Ball's Bluff: Summary & Political Ramifications	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 9 - Slavery in Early America: Characteristics & Opposition Slavery in Early America: Characteristics & Opposition	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 10 - Economic Developments in the North: A Commercial Revolution Economic Developments in the North: A Commercial Revolution	Video Take Quiz
Lesson 11 - Life in the South: Ordered Society and Economy of the Southern States Life in the South: Ordered Society and Economy of the Southern States	Video Take Quiz

Week {{::cp.getGoalWeekForTopic(1, 8)}}

Ch 2. Rising Tension Over Slavery {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[14448].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - Henry Clay and the Missouri Compromise of 1820 Henry Clay and the Missouri Compromise of 1820			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - Primary Source: The Missouri Compromise Primary Source: The Missouri Compromise			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - The Mexican-American War, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo & the Wilmot Proviso The Mexican-American War, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo & the Wilmot Proviso			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - President Fillmore and the Compromise of 1850 President Fillmore and the Compromise of 1850			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - Abolitionist Movement: Important Figures in the Fight to End Slavery Abolitionist Movement: Important Figures in the Fight to End Slavery			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - Bloody Kansas: Causes, Effects and Summary of Events Bloody Kansas: Causes, Effects and Summary of Events			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - Dred Scott v. Sanford: Case Summary & Decision Dred Scott v. Sanford: Case Summary & Decision			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 8 - John Brown's Raid at Harpers Ferry: Fighting Slavery John Brown's Raid at Harpers Ferry: Fighting Slavery			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 9 - Primary Source: 'The Hypocrisy of American Slavery' by Frederick Douglass Primary Source: 'The Hypocrisy of American Slavery' by Frederick Douglass			Text Lesson Take Quiz

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Ch 3. The Political Situation in 1860 {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[13852].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - The Birth of the Republican Party: Contributing Factors & Platform The Birth of the Republican Party: Contributing Factors & Platform			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - Abraham Lincoln: Presidency, Accomplishments & Assassination Abraham Lincoln: Presidency, Accomplishments & Assassination			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - The 1860 Democratic National Convention: The Party Splits The 1860 Democratic National Convention: The Party Splits			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - The Election of 1860: Definition, Summary, Candidates & Significance The Election of 1860: Definition, Summary, Candidates & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - Primary Source: 'Democrats, Are You Ready?' Primary Source: 'Democrats, Are You Ready?'			Text Lesson Take Quiz

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Ch 4. The War in 1862 {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[11616].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - President Lincoln's Cabinet: Members & Dynamics President Lincoln's Cabinet: Members & Dynamics			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - President Davis' Cabinet: Members & Dynamics President Davis' Cabinet: Members & Dynamics			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - Comparing the Union and Confederate Armies: Policies & Members Comparing the Union and Confederate Armies: Policies & Members			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - The Anaconda Plan: Civil War Strategy The Anaconda Plan: Civil War Strategy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - General McClellan, the Army of Potomac & the Peninsula Campaign General McClellan, the Army of Potomac & the Peninsula Campaign			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - The Blockade and Blockade Runners During the Civil War: Definition & Purpose The Blockade and Blockade Runners During the Civil War: Definition & Purpose			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - The Battle of Hampton Roads: Summary, Causes & Consequences The Battle of Hampton Roads: Summary, Causes & Consequences			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 8 - The Battle of Shiloh: Conflict, Outcome & Generals Involved The Battle of Shiloh: Conflict, Outcome & Generals Involved			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 9 - The Fight for the Mississippi River in 1862: Summary & History The Fight for the Mississippi River in 1862: Summary & History			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 10 - The Second Battle of Bull Run: Summary & Facts The Second Battle of Bull Run: Summary & Facts			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 11 - The Battle of Antietam: Conflict, Outcome & Significance The Battle of Antietam: Conflict, Outcome & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 12 - The Battle of Fredericksburg: Summary, Timeline & Significance The Battle of Fredericksburg: Summary, Timeline & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 13 - The Emancipation Proclamation: Creation, Context and Legacy The Emancipation Proclamation: Creation, Context and Legacy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 14 - Primary Source: The Emancipation Proclamation Primary Source: The Emancipation Proclamation			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 15 - The Civil War West of the Mississippi River: Summary & Major Events The Civil War West of the Mississippi River: Summary & Major Events			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 16 - Britain and France Respond to the American Civil War Britain and France Respond to the American Civil War			Video Take Quiz

Week {{::cp.getGoalWeekForTopic(4, 8)}}

Ch 5. The War Continues: 1863 {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[12681].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - Casualties of the Civil War: Statistics & Causes Casualties of the Civil War: Statistics & Causes			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - The Role of Women in the Civil War The Role of Women in the Civil War			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - African Americans in the Civil War: History & Facts African Americans in the Civil War: History & Facts			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - The Politics of War: Legislation & Executive Actions The Politics of War: Legislation & Executive Actions			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - The Effect of War on Civilians in the United States: The Impact on Daily Life & the Economy The Effect of War on Civilians in the United States: The Impact on Daily Life & the Economy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - Civilian Reaction in the Confederacy to the War: The Impact on Daily Life & the Economy Civilian Reaction in the Confederacy to the War: The Impact on Daily Life & the Economy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - The Battle of Stones River: Summary & Outcome The Battle of Stones River: Summary & Outcome			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 8 - The Battle of Chancellorsville: Summary & Outcome The Battle of Chancellorsville: Summary & Outcome			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 9 - Battle of Gettysburg: Summary & Outcome Battle of Gettysburg: Summary & Outcome			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 10 - Primary Source: Letter from Gen. Robert E. Lee to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, 1863 Primary Source: Letter from Gen. Robert E. Lee to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, 1863			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 11 - Control of the Mississippi: the Fall of Vicksburg and Capture of Port Hudson Control of the Mississippi: the Fall of Vicksburg and Capture of Port Hudson			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 12 - The Fight for Tennessee: Battles at Chickamauga, Chattanooga & Knoxville The Fight for Tennessee: Battles at Chickamauga, Chattanooga & Knoxville			Video Take Quiz

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Ch 6. The Tide of War Shifts: 1864 {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[13456].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - General Ulysses S. Grant Takes Charge: His Strategic Plan for Ending the War General Ulysses S. Grant Takes Charge: His Strategic Plan for Ending the War			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - The Wilderness Campaign: Summary & Significance The Wilderness Campaign: Summary & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - The Battle of Spotsylvania: Summary & Significance The Battle of Spotsylvania: Summary & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - The Battle of Cold Harbor: Events & Significance The Battle of Cold Harbor: Events & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - The Siege of Petersburg: Summary, Timeline & Significance The Siege of Petersburg: Summary, Timeline & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - Shenandoah Valley Campaigns: Summary, Timeline & Significance Shenandoah Valley Campaigns: Summary, Timeline & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - General William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign: Summary & Significance General William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign: Summary & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 8 - Primary Source: Richmond Daily Dispatch on August 30, 1864 Primary Source: Richmond Daily Dispatch on August 30, 1864			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 9 - The Battle of Mobile Bay: Summary & Significance The Battle of Mobile Bay: Summary & Significance			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 10 - The Politics of 1864: President Abraham Lincoln is Re-Elected The Politics of 1864: President Abraham Lincoln is Re-Elected			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 11 - The Battle of Nashville: Summary & Outcome The Battle of Nashville: Summary & Outcome			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 12 - Sherman's March to the Sea Sherman's March to the Sea			Video Take Quiz

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Ch 7. Conclusion of the Civil War: 1865 {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[14073].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - The Last 100 Days of the Civil War: Goals & Actions The Last 100 Days of the Civil War: Goals & Actions			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - The Fall of Richmond: The Capital of the Confederacy The Fall of Richmond: The Capital of the Confederacy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - General Robert E. Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse: Terms & Conditions General Robert E. Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse: Terms & Conditions			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - Primary Source: Articles of Agreement Relating to the Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia Primary Source: Articles of Agreement Relating to the Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln: Facts, Failed Plots & Motivation The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln: Facts, Failed Plots & Motivation			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - The End of the Civil War: Summary & Timeline The End of the Civil War: Summary & Timeline			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - The Costs of the Civil War: Human, Economic & Cultural The Costs of the Civil War: Human, Economic & Cultural			Video Take Quiz

Week {{::cp.getGoalWeekForTopic(7, 8)}}

Ch 8. Reconstruction After the Civil War {{cp.topicAssetIdToProgress[14518].percentComplete}}% complete

			Course Progress	Best Score
	Lesson 1 - President Lincoln's Legacy: Plans for a Reconstructed Union President Lincoln's Legacy: Plans for a Reconstructed Union			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 2 - President Andrew Johnson: Attempts to Continue Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan President Andrew Johnson: Attempts to Continue Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 3 - The Radical Republican Plan for Reconstruction: The Reconstruction Acts & Civil Rights Act The Radical Republican Plan for Reconstruction: The Reconstruction Acts & Civil Rights Act			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 4 - Reconstruction Acts of 1867: Definition & History Reconstruction Acts of 1867: Definition & History			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 5 - The Reconstruction Amendments: The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments The Reconstruction Amendments: The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 6 - Military Reconstruction Act: History & Summary Military Reconstruction Act: History & Summary			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 7 - Primary Source: Passage of the 14th Amendment by the US Senate on June 9, 1866 Primary Source: Passage of the 14th Amendment by the US Senate on June 9, 1866			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 8 - Primary Source: Journal of the US Senate on June 22, 1866 Primary Source: Journal of the US Senate on June 22, 1866			Text Lesson Take Quiz
	Lesson 9 - The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: Conflict Between President and Congress The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: Conflict Between President and Congress			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 10 - Reconstruction in the South: Positive & Negative Effects Reconstruction in the South: Positive & Negative Effects			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 11 - Reconstruction's Effects on African Americans: Politics, Education and Economy Reconstruction's Effects on African Americans: Politics, Education and Economy			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 12 - The Redeemers: Definition & History The Redeemers: Definition & History			Video Take Quiz
	Lesson 13 - The End of Reconstruction and the Election of 1876 The End of Reconstruction and the Election of 1876			Video Take Quiz

Course Practice Test

The Civil War & Reconstruction for Teachers: Professional Development Practice Test

How It Works

Earn professional development credits to renew your history teaching license with the Civil War and Reconstruction for Teachers. Brush up on Civil War and Reconstruction topics so you can better teach U.S. history, political science, and other history topics. Learn on your own schedule and at your own pace. You can complete this course in under two weeks - perfect for teachers who need to earn history credits in a hurry!

Watch engaging video lessons about slavery and the Civil War.
Check your knowledge of things like the Mexican-American War and President Lincoln's cabinet with practice quizzes and exams.
Ask clarification questions from our expert history instructors.
Earn 3 college credits by taking the DSST Civil War and Reconstruction exam.

Always check with your school district or state Department of Education to ensure that the course credits will be accepted before beginning the course. DSST credits are accepted by over 2,000 schools and directly by many state departments of education.

Who's It For?

The Civil War and Reconstruction for Teachers is ideal for any teachers looking to earn credits to use toward licensure renewal. The flexible, self-paced format makes it easy to fit your studies into a busy schedule. The course is fully online, so you can study anytime, anywhere. This course also benefits:

History and political science teachers who want to brush up on the Civil War and Reconstruction
Teachers who want to incorporate engaging Civil War and Reconstruction videos into their instruction
Teachers planning a Civil War and Reconstruction unit or course
Aspiring history teachers

Why It Works

Fun and Engaging: Animations and interesting examples make the Civil War and Reconstruction easy to learn.
Expert Instructors: Expert history instructors break difficult concepts down so they are easy to remember.
Practice Makes Perfect: Quizzes and practice exams let you review Civil War and Reconstruction terminology and key concepts and track what you've mastered.
Quick and Flexible: Learn on your own schedule and on any device. You could earn history credits in less than two weeks.

Other Benefits

Access our full library of professional development courses for teachers, including Western Europe Since 1945 for Teachers, Western Civilization from 1648 for Teachers, and U.S. History to Reconstruction for Teachers.
Find 10,000 engaging lessons that you can use in your classroom or assign out to students.
Watch more lessons in the Civil War and Reconstruction as well as U.S. history, European history, Western civilization, and other history topics.
Earn transferable college credit for dozens of courses.

Evaluate This Course

After you've worked through all or part of the course, please share your feedback with us! We take the quality of our lessons and courses very seriously and appreciate any comments on how we can improve your experience. If you'd like to let us know how effective you found this course, please fill out our survey by clinking on this link.

Course Plan for Earning Credit in Less Than Two Weeks

Follow this course plan if you want to complete the Civil War and Reconstruction for Teachers and be ready to earn transferable credit in less than two weeks. For each chapter assignment, take all of the lesson quizzes and the practice chapter exam at the end of each chapter. If you miss any questions, review the video lesson to master the concept.

Day	Assignment	What You'll Learn
Day 1	Chapter 1	Life in 19th Century America (slavery in early America, economic developments in the North, life in the South)
Day 2	Chapter 2	Rising Tension Over Slavery (the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the Mexican-American War, the abolitionist movement, Bloody Kansas, Dred Scott v. Sanford)
Day 3	Chapter 3	The Political Situation in 1860 (the birth of the Republican party, the 1860 Democratic National Convention, the election of 1860)
Day 4	Chapter 4	The Civil War Unfolds: 1861 (secession of the southern states, creation of the Confederacy, the Battle of Fort Sumter, the First Battle of Bull Run)
Day 5	Chapter 5	The War in 1862 (President Lincoln's cabinet, comparing the Union and Confederate armies, the Anaconda Plan, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Emancipation Proclamation)
Day 6	Chapter 6	The War Continues: 1863 (casualties of the Civil War, the role of women in the Civil War, the politics of war, the Battle of Gettysburg)
Day 7	Chapter 7	The Tide of War Shifts: 1864 (Grant's plan for ending the war, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Battle of Nashville, Sherman's March to the Sea)
Day 8	Chapter 8	Conclusion of the Civil War: 1865 (the last 100 days of the Civil War, the assassination of President Lincoln, General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox courthouse)
Day 9	Chapter 9	Reconstruction After the Civil War (Lincoln's Reconstruction plan, the Reconstruction Amendments, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the Redeemers)
Day 10	Final Exam	Take the practice final exam to see what you've mastered and make sure you are ready to earn credit for the Civil War and Reconstruction

Earning Credit

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Practice Tests in this course

Check your knowledge of this course with a 50-question practice test. Once you take the test, you will receive a detailed exam report complete with your personal statistics and even specific lessons to focus on! Take the practice test now