U,S, History For Dummies

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• Discover important events that shaped the nation

• Get to know the superstars of the past

Don't miss a moment of U.S. history

The United States is undergoing a period of intense political and social change. From the rise of the Tea Party to social media's effect on American life and politics, this new edition fills in the gaps of this nation's story. This book guides you through the events that shaped the nation, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the 21st century. It's all here--you'll find all the wars, leaders, and eras that explain and demonstrate how the past influences the future.

Inside...

• Get an overview of U.S. history

• Learn about major movements

• Discover how the U.S. came of age

• Explore iconic cultural moments

• Find out how the country faced adversity

• Get to know historical U.S. documents

FREE 1-year access to chapter quizzes online!

Autorentext

Steve Wiegand is an award-winning political journalist and history writer. Over a 35-year career, he worked as a reporter and columnist at the San Diego Evening Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and Sacramento Bee. He is the author or coauthor of seven books dealing with various aspects of U.S. and world history.

Klappentext

• Find FREE chapter quizzes online
• Discover important events that shaped the nation

• Get to know the superstars of the past Don't miss a moment of U.S. history The United States is undergoing a period of intense political and social change. From the rise of the Tea Party to social media's effect on American life and politics, this new edition fills in the gaps of this nation's story. This book guides you through the events that shaped the nation, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the 21st century. It's all hereyou'll find all the wars, leaders, and eras that explain and demonstrate how the past influences the future. Inside...

• Get an overview of U.S. history
• Learn about major movements
• Discover how the U.S. came of age
• Explore iconic cultural moments
• Find out how the country faced adversity
• Get to know historical U.S. documents FREE 1-year access to chapter quizzes online!

Inhalt
Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Conventions Used in This Book 2

What Not to Read 3

Foolish Assumptions 3

Beyond the Book 3

Icons Used in This Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Part 1: Getting Started With U.S History 5

Chapter 1: America: A Short Biography 7

They Came, They Saw, They Stayed 8

Putting America on the Map 9

Struggling with Greatness 13

A Cold War and a Brave New World 15

America in the 21st Century 18

Chapter 2: Native Americans and Explorers: 14,000 BC (?)1607 21

Coming to America 21

Exploring Early Civilizations 22

Many Tribes, Not Many People 24

De-stereotyping the Native Americans 26

Visiting by the Vikings 27

Spicing Up Life and Other Reasons for Exploring 28

Dropping Names of Others Who Dropped By 31

The Sword, the Cross, and the Measles 33

Arriving Late for the Party 35

Chapter 3: Pilgrims' Progress: The English Colonies, 16071700 39

Seeing Potential in the New World 39

Settling in Jamestown 40

Instituting Slavery 42

Colonizing: Pilgrims and Puritans 43

Bringing Religious Freedom: Dissidents, Catholics, and Quakers 47

Dealings of the Dutch 49

Coping with Native American Troubles 50

Chapter 4: You Say You Want a Revolution: 17001775 53

Looking at America in 1700 53

Colonizing New France 54

Fighting the First True World Wars 55

Awakening to Greater Religious Freedom 57

The French and Indian War 58

Growing like a Weed 60

Heading Toward Divorce with Britain 62

Congressing for the First Time 67

Mr Revere, Your Horse Is Ready 68

Chapter 5: Yankee Doodlin': 17751783 71

In This Corner, the Brits 71

In This Corner, the Yanks 72

Mr Washington Goes to War 74

Declaring Independence 75

Cozying Up to the French 77

Undergoing Life Changes: The Loyalists and the Slaves 78

Winning a War 79

Chapter 6: Blueprints and Birth Pains: 17831800 85

Making the Rules 85

Dishing Up Politics, American Style 89

Raising the Dough 91

Earning Respect 92

Finding Foreign Friction 95

Part 2: Growing Pains 97

Chapter 7: Long Tom and One Weird War: 18001815 99

Jefferson Gets a Job 99

Disorder in the Court 101

Growing by Leaps and Bounds 103

Fighting Pirates, and a Dambargo 107

Little Jemmy Takes the Helm 109

Why Not Invade Canada This Year? 111

Three Strikes and the Brits Are Out 113

Calling It Even 115

Chapter 8: Pulling Together to Keep from Falling Apart: 18151844 117

Embracing Nationalism Sort Of 118

The Slavery Cancer Grows 121

Mud-Wrestling to the White House 125

Nullify This 128

Inventing a Better Life 131

Staking Out New Land 133

Chapter 9: War, Gold, and a Gathering Storm: 18451860 139

Wrenching Land from Mexico 139

Rushing for Gold 142

Coming Over and Spreading Out 145

The Beginning of the End 148

Squaring Off for a Showdown: The LincolnDouglas Debate 152

Chapter 10: A Most Uncivil War: 18611865 155

Introducing Abraham Lincoln 155

North versus South: Comparing Advantages and Action Plans 159

Freeing the Slaves 161

Reviewing the Troops, the Generals, and the Major Battles 163

Two More Reasons Why the North Won 167

Losing a Leader 169

Chapter 11: Putting the Country Back Together: 18651876 171 &lt...