Early American History

The bombardment of Fort Sumter in 1861 set off the savage four-year war between the North and the South. The North fought to preserve the Union, whereas the South fought to win recognition as an independent nation. The war was a climax to quarrels between the two sides over the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Readers analyze the background of the war, military leadership and strategic plans of the war in the West and East, specific battles on land and sea, and the costs of the war.

The roots of the newly formed United States of America are examined in detail in this volume. With evocative illustrations, paintings, maps, political documents, and other media largely drawn from the post-revolutionary era itself, this book details both the new nation's growing pains and shortcomings, its major accomplishments and optimism, its sociocultural trends, and its rapid growth and expansion. Political and military struggles, Manifest Destiny, and other dynamic events are all included in a narrative stretching from the nation's birth through the years prior to the U.S. Civil War.

The tale of how the colonial Americans won their independence from Great Britain is well-known among young and old, and its retelling continues to be an inspiration for the struggling and downtrodden. Readers will be introduced to the stressful, tense, and sometimes violent days leading up to the revolution. The instructive text then goes on to discuss major battles, war strategies, and tide-turning events. Both text and sidebars highlight important figures and events in this classic historical tale of perseverance that never grows stale.

The Louisiana Purchase stands out in American history for a number of reasons. It was the largest acquisition of land in United States' history. It was also the first time a president obtained new territory by purchase. But, perhaps most important, it fueled the American drive for westward expansion-a powerful force in U.S. culture and politics for the remainder of the 19th century. This authoritative title presents that history in depth, contextualizing the Louisiana Purchase and examining how it affected the early development of America, bringing this episode of American history to life for a new generation of readers.

The story of the European discovery of North America does not end with-in fact it does not really even begin with-Christopher Columbus. This engaging title tells the story of the explorers who became the first Europeans to visit the lands that would later become the United States of America. Readers will learn about the Spanish explorers of the Southwest and the Gulf Coast, the English and Dutch explorers of the Atlantic Coast, and the French explorers of the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River. They'll discover what the goals and motivations behind each expedition were, which native people the explorers encountered, and what sorts of obstacles had to be overcome for each expedition to succeed. A fascinating account of a formational period in American history.

The colonial period is perhaps the most significant era in American history. This valuable resource begins with a summary of exploration in the New World. It then follows early colonization efforts, describing the journeys of the first colonists into the unknown and their struggles to make something of their harsh new environment. Readers will learn about the colonies' early societies, governments, and trades. The colonists' growing dissatisfaction with England is charted as it swells towards all-out revolution. This volume showcases key figures, important events, and the emergence of the distinctive American spirit in examining the period of history when British colonists would become Americans.