Well, American history is kind of short, because the USA are pretty young. That's why I said you wouldn't have to remember too many things. It was not an incredibly funny joke though, I know.
To declare the civil war generally as a fight for human rights is somehow strange, because it was not all about that. In the first case, I guess, it was all about might... In my opinion it was a struggle for influence on the new states joining the USA in the wild west. It was not merely about slaving, but making all new states slave-free was an open declaration of northern supremacy. That was something the southern states could not tolerate.
Concernig my statement I have to say, that one may have a lot to memorize in american history just because it is a young history. In American history we know more details than in f.e. Phrygian history. You may have to know which division was led by who on what day of what battle in the civil war. Although I find history passionate and exciting it was at that point I quitted the course completely. There is nothing more boring than abstract categorisation.
Last thing to note: if you don't share my opinion on the afore mentioned points let's have an argument about it. I guess people wouldn't want us to discuss here, but we could open an english 'anglo-historic thread'.
Guess I'm dreaming again...