Painless American History » (Revised)

(back cover)
Really. This isn't going to hurt at all . . .

If you really hate reading those dry history books and sitting through classroom lectures, you'll change your mind about American History when you open this book. It presents the story of our nation as a exciting drama, filled with fascinating men and women and great human adventures. It starts with description of the first native Americans, then continues through Columbus's landing, European exploration and colonization, United States independence, and the nation's development and growth to become a world power. You'll find timelines to help you understand how historic events relate to one another, ideas for interesting projects, and amusing "Brain Tickler" quizzes to help take the pain out of study and improve your grades.

For Middle School and High School Students

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Why Study American History? 1

You and Sherlock, the American History Detective 3

The Tools of the Trade 4

History Can Be Fun 9

Chapter 2 Three Worlds Collide (Ancient Times to 1620) 13

Moving from Isolation to Interaction 16

Early European Exploration and Colonization 21

The New World Develops Settlements 27

The First Slaves 31

Colonial-Indian Relations 32

Chapter 3 Colonization and Settlement (1585-1763) 33

Patterns of Colonization 36

Political Institutions in the English Colonies 40

Religious Institutions in the English Colonies 43

Social Institutions of the English Colonies 46

The Status of Slavery and Its Impact on Colonial Life 49

Chapter 4 Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820) 53

The Causes of the American Revolution 56

The Impact of the American Revolution 64

Results of the American Revolution 70

The Formation of a New Government 71

Chapter 5 Expansion and Reform (1801-1848) 83

Growing Pains 86

Early Foreign Policy Controversies 91

Political Developments after 1800 92

Domestic Issues Facing the Nation 97

Foreign Policy Developments 103

Chapter 6 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1870) 107

Causes of the Civil War 110

The War Begins 116

Reconstruction 124

A Final Word About the Civil War and Reconstruction 127

Chapter 7 The Industrial Development of the United States (1868-1898) 129

The Rise of Industry 131

The Rise of Corporations 135

The Rise of the American Labor Movement 139

The Rise of Immigration 144

The Fate of the Indians and the Closing of the West 148

Chapter 8 The Emergence of Modern America (1898-1929) 153

The Progressive Movement 156

An Emerging Global Nation162

World War I 167

The Roaring Twenties 171

Chapter 9 The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945) 179

Causes of the Great Depression 182

FDR's First 100 Days 184

The New Deal 186

World War II 190

FDR's Legacy 198

Chapter 10 Postwar America (1946-1968) 201

The Cold War 204

Truman and the Cold War 208

Eisenhower and the Cold War 211

A New President, a New Decade of Change 217

Lyndon B. Johnson-A President Facing Crisis 221

Chapter 11 Modern America (1968-2000) 227

1968-A Year of Turmoil 231

The Election and Presidency of Richard Nixon 233

The Role of the Supreme Court 237

Presidential Crises 238

Chapter 12 The New Millennium 249

2000-A New Century and New Challenges 253

Political Challenge at the Beginning of the '21st Century 255

Global Challenges at the Beginning of the 21st Century 267

A Final Note 273

Appendix-Internet Resources 275

Chapter 1 275

Chapter 2 275

Chapter 3 276

Chapter 4 277

Chapter 5 278

Chapter 6 279

Chapter 7 280

Chapter 8 281

Chapter 9 282

Chapter 10 284

Chapter 11 286

Chapter 12 288

Index 291