HIST 157: History of the United States Since 1865

History of the United States Since 1865 covers economic, intellectual, political, and social developments from the Civil War through the rise of U.S. world power.

What HIST 157 covers

A survey of economic, intellectual, political, and social developments since the Civil War. The objective is to use primary and secondary sources to describe U.S. historical events and interpret current events and ideas in a historical context.

Discussion covers the rise of industry and the emergence of the United States as a world power.

Typical HIST 157 assignments

Expect an assignment requiring you to use primary and secondary sources to trace a specific post-1865 development (industrial, political) and its connection to U.S. world power.

Key topics in HIST 157

• Post-Civil War economic and social development
• Rise of American industry
• U.S. emergence as a world power
• Primary and secondary source use

Writing tips for HIST 157

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for HIST 157 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Use primary and secondary sources, not just narrative summary

History courses like HIST 157 consistently expect you to locate, evaluate, and cite primary and secondary sources — a well-written narrative summary of events without genuine source engagement is one of the fastest ways to lose points.

Build an argument, not just a chronology

Strong historical writing makes a specific, defensible argument about causes, significance, or interpretation — not just a chronological retelling of events. Evaluators check whether your thesis is actually supported by the evidence you present.

Why students seek help with HIST 157

Students sometimes narrate a historical period without the primary/secondary source engagement the course specifically requires — the rubric typically wants that source-based evidence shown, not narrative alone.

How GradeEssays helps with HIST 157

Share your assignment prompt and rubric, and your writer will build an analysis genuinely grounded in primary and secondary sources.

Prerequisites and course context

HIST 157 has no prerequisites. It satisfies the "100-level HIST course" prerequisite for HIST 289. Note: students may receive credit for only one of HIST 157 or HUMN 120.

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