Learning plan cover

American history

LEARNING PLAN

American history

This learning plan provides a comprehensive understanding of American history from its founding to present day, examining both celebrated achievements and challenging contradictions. It's ideal for anyone seeking to understand how America's past continues to shape its present identity, politics, and social dynamics.

ByCommunity User
2 h 36 m
12 coursesUpdated 5 days ago
Benjamin FranklinFounding BrothersAmerica's Journey: Washington to Today12 sources

How This Learning Plan Was Made

This plan was crafted by BeFreed's proprietary AI to help you learn American history with ease. It is curated from in-depth research on the topic and structured around the most effective learning journeys proven by BeFreed users.

Each episode delivers bite-sized, high-impact lessons distilled from world-class sources — bestselling books, research papers, and expert insights. Together, they form a sophisticated yet accessible path to mastering American history.

What You'll Learn

  • Understand the foundational events of early America from colonization through the Constitution
  • Analyze the causes, impact, and legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Trace America's rise as a global power through key 20th century developments
  • Examine diverse perspectives often overlooked in traditional American history narratives
  • Develop critical thinking skills to connect historical events to contemporary issues

Explore the early formation of America, from colonial times through the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the Constitution, understanding the key figures and events that shaped the nation's birth.

Benjamin Franklin cover
Benjamin Franklin

In-depth biography of America's founding father

12 m
Founding Brothers cover
Founding Brothers

Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of pivotal moments and relationships among America's Founding Fathers during the nation's formative years.

9 m
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Founding BrothersBenjamin FranklinConfronting the PresidentsAlexander Hamilton
18 sources
America's Journey: Washington to Today

Explore the evolution of America from Washington's revolutionary precedents to modern times. This podcast traces how the founding principles have shaped our nation through key moments and ongoing challenges.

32 m

Examine the pivotal period of American history marked by division, conflict, and rebuilding, understanding the profound impact of the Civil War and its aftermath on the nation's trajectory.

Team of Rivals cover
Team of Rivals

Lincoln's cabinet and the Civil War

7 m
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant cover
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Grant's autobiography on war, leadership, and American history.

9 m
podcast cover
The Republic for which it stands : the United States during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1896 | WorldCat.orgThe Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900 | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American HistoryReconstruction - Civil War End, Changes & Act of 1867Overview | Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900 - Library of Congress
6 sources
America's Second Founding: Reconstruction to Gilded Age

Explore how post-Civil War America grappled with freedom, democracy, and identity from 1865-1900. Discover the rise and fall of Reconstruction, industrial transformation, and reform movements that still shape us today.

9 m

Trace America's dramatic evolution through the 20th century as it became a global power, faced world wars, economic transformation, and profound social change that shaped contemporary American society.

Mornings on Horseback cover
Mornings on Horseback

The early life and rise of Theodore Roosevelt.

9 m
The Best and the Brightest cover
The Best and the Brightest

Brilliant minds, catastrophic decisions: how America stumbled into Vietnam

9 m
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source 1source 2source 3source 4
6 sources
America's Founding Contradictions: The Real Story

Explore the messy, complicated truth behind American history - from revolutionary ideals built on slavery to modern movements fighting for true equality. Discover how the founders' contradictions still shape our democracy today.

20 m

Confront the complex and sometimes uncomfortable truths of American history, exploring perspectives often overlooked in traditional narratives and understanding how the nation continues to wrestle with its complicated legacy.

Roots cover
Roots

Epic journey through generations reveals America's painful, powerful racial history.

9 m
The 1619 Project cover
The 1619 Project

A groundbreaking reexamination of American history through the lens of slavery and its enduring impact on society.

10 m
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The 1619 ProjectAn Indigenous Peoples' History of the United StatesA People’s History of the United StatesFrom #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation
12 sources
America's Hidden History Uncovered

Explore the uncomfortable truths of American history that textbooks omit—from slavery's economic impact to forgotten heroes of resistance—and discover how these suppressed narratives continue to shape our nation today.

21 m

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
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star
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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star
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
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