To understand History we need to understand the overall story of it and how things fit together. In this class, learners will learn about the overall story of American History by looking at the smaller stories that are a part of it. From the 1880s to 1912. These will be given from a variety of perspectives and viewpoints. Each week there will be a lecture about the events, and if time allows there will be some discussion about the events and their importance. Each week there will be an assigned essay question related to what was discussed in class, learners should submit a 100 word answer to the teacher before the following week's class. There will also be a 5 question multiple choice quiz given each week

Week 1: Rise of Big Business
Chester A Arthur Administration, John D Rockefeller, Rise of Monopoloys

Week 2: Rise of Labor Unions
Election of 1884, Cleveland Administration, Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor, Haymarket Affair, Interstate Commerce Comission

Week 3: Rise of Imperialism
Election of 1888, Harrison Administration, US Follows Europe's Example

Week 4: 2nd Cleveland Administration
Populist Party, Election of 1892, Depression of 1893

Week 5: International Relations and Tariffs
Monroe Doctrine Expands, Technology Advancements, Explaination of Tariffs, Importance, and Types

Week 6: Election of 1896 and its effect
William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryant, Disappearance of Populist Party, Agricultural Revolution and Prosperity

Week 7: Lead up to Spanish American War
Industry grows, Purchase of Hawaii, American interests in Cuba, "Yellow" Journalism

Week 8: Spanish American War and Effects
Overview of Spanish American War, Treaty of Paris (1898), US receives New Territory, Open Door Policy with China

Week 9: Rise of Progressive Movement
Boxer Rebellion, Election of 1900, Teddy Roosevelt becomes President, US relations with Panama, Start of Progressive Party 

Week 10: Teddy Roosevelt’s Reforms
Roosevelt's "Square Deal", Roosevelt settles strikes, Platt Amendment, Conservation Efforts

Week 11: Teddy Roosevelt and Foreign Relations
Panama Revolution, Election of 1904, Roosevelt Collary, Muckrakers, Gentlemen's agreement

Week 12: Taft Administration
Governor's Conference, Election of 1908, William Howard Taft, Taft Antagonizes Progressives, Dollar Diplomacy