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US History

Study Guide

US History makes up about 20% of the GED Social Studies test. You need to understand major events, movements, and turning points from colonial America through the modern era.

1Colonial Era and Revolution (1600s-1783)

The 13 colonies were established by Britain. Colonists grew frustrated with taxation without representation. The Declaration of Independence (1776) declared the colonies free from Britain. The Revolutionary War ended in 1783 with American victory.

Examples:

•Stamp Act, Tea Act → colonists protested 'no taxation without representation'
•Boston Tea Party (1773): colonists dumped British tea into the harbor
•Declaration of Independence (1776): written by Thomas Jefferson
•Key battles: Lexington & Concord (first shots), Yorktown (final victory)
2The Constitution and Government (1787-present)

The Constitution (1787) created the framework for US government. It established three branches with checks and balances. The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) protects individual freedoms.

Examples:

•Legislative (Congress): makes laws
•Executive (President): enforces laws
•Judicial (Supreme Court): interprets laws
•Checks and balances: each branch can limit the power of the others
•Bill of Rights: freedom of speech, religion, press, right to bear arms, etc.
3Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)

The Civil War was fought over slavery and states' rights. The North (Union) defeated the South (Confederacy). The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. Reconstruction attempted to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society.

Examples:

•Causes: slavery, states' rights, economic differences between North and South
•Emancipation Proclamation (1863): freed slaves in Confederate states
•13th Amendment: abolished slavery
•14th Amendment: citizenship and equal protection under the law
•15th Amendment: voting rights regardless of race
420th Century: Wars and Movements

The US became a world power through WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. Major social movements fought for civil rights, women's suffrage, and workers' rights.

Examples:

•WWI (1914-1918): US entered 1917
•Great Depression (1929-1939): stock market crash, New Deal programs
•WWII (1939-1945): Pearl Harbor (1941) brought US into the war
•Civil Rights Movement (1950s-60s): Brown v. Board, MLK, Civil Rights Act of 1964
•Women's Suffrage: 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote
Test-Taking Tips
Focus on cause and effect — understand WHY events happened, not just dates.
Know the key amendments: 1st (freedoms), 13th (end slavery), 14th (equal protection), 15th (voting), 19th (women's vote).
The GED often asks about primary sources — letters, speeches, photographs from the time period.
Understand the concept of 'checks and balances' — it appears frequently.