Explore American History
From the earliest Native American civilizations to modern America, discover the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States. Select a unit below to begin your journey through American history.
Unit 1: Beginnings of American History (Prehistory-1750)
Discover early America, from Native American cultures through European exploration and colonization
Chapter 1
The First Americans
- Migration to the Americas
- Native American cultures
- Diverse societies and traditions
Chapter 2
European Exploration
- Age of Exploration
- Columbus and the Columbian Exchange
- Spanish conquistadors
Chapter 3
Colonization of North America
- English colonies: Jamestown & Plymouth
- Spanish and French settlements
- Colonial life and economy
Chapter 4
Life in the Colonies
- The 13 colonies
- Colonial society and culture
- Slavery in the colonies
Unit 2: The American Revolution (1750-1783)
The colonies break from Britain and create a new nation
Chapter 5
The Road to Revolution
- British taxes and colonial protests
- Boston Tea Party
- First Continental Congress
Chapter 6
The American Revolution
- Declaration of Independence
- Major battles and turning points
- Victory at Yorktown
Chapter 7
Creating the Constitution
- Articles of Confederation
- Constitutional Convention
- The Bill of Rights
Unit 3: The New Nation (1789-1840)
The young United States grows and faces new challenges
Chapter 8
Launching a New Nation
- Washington's presidency
- Hamilton's economic plan
- First political parties
Chapter 9
The Era of Jefferson
- Louisiana Purchase
- Lewis and Clark Expedition
- War of 1812
Chapter 10
The Jacksonian Era
- Andrew Jackson's presidency
- Indian Removal Act
- Trail of Tears
Chapter 11
North and South Take Different Paths
- Industrial Revolution in the North
- Cotton Kingdom in the South
- Growing sectional differences
Unit 4: An Expanding Nation (1820-1860)
Westward expansion, reform movements, and growing tensions
Chapter 13
The Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War
- Texas independence
- Remember the Alamo
- Mexican-American War
Chapter 14
From Sea to Shining Sea
- California Gold Rush
- Transcontinental expansion
- Impact on Native Americans
Chapter 15
Reform and Culture
- Second Great Awakening
- Reform movements
- American art and literature
Unit 5: Division and Civil War (1846-1865)
A nation divided by slavery tears itself apart
Chapter 16
Slavery Divides the Nation
- Abolitionist movement
- Underground Railroad
- Compromise of 1850
Chapter 17
The Crisis Deepens
- Kansas-Nebraska Act
- Dred Scott decision
- Lincoln-Douglas debates
Chapter 19
The War Ends
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Gettysburg and turning point
- Appomattox and surrender
Unit 6: Reconstruction and the Gilded Age (1865-1900)
Rebuilding the nation and rapid industrial growth
Chapter 20
Reconstruction
- Plans for Reconstruction
- Freedmen's Bureau
- 14th and 15th Amendments
Chapter 21
The Aftermath of Reconstruction
- End of Reconstruction
- Jim Crow laws
- Rise of segregation
Chapter 22
The West
- Mining and ranching
- Native American conflicts
- Closing of the frontier
Chapter 23
The Gilded Age
- Industrial Revolution
- Robber barons and big business
- Labor unions emerge
Unit 7: The Progressive Era and Imperialism (1890-1920)
Reforms at home and expansion abroad
Chapter 24
The Progressive Movement
- Muckrakers expose problems
- Progressive reforms
- Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal
Chapter 25
The United States Becomes a World Power
- Spanish-American War
- Building the Panama Canal
- American imperialism
Chapter 26
World War I
- Causes of the Great War
- American neutrality ends
- Fighting "over there"
Chapter 27
The War's End and Aftermath
- Treaty of Versailles
- League of Nations
- Impact of the war
Unit 8: Boom, Bust, and Recovery (1920-1945)
The Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, and World War II
Chapter 28
The Roaring Twenties
- Economic prosperity
- Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance
- Cultural changes
Chapter 29
The Great Depression
- Stock Market Crash of 1929
- Hard times for Americans
- Dust Bowl
Chapter 30
The New Deal
- FDR and his programs
- Relief, Recovery, Reform
- Impact of the New Deal
Unit 9: Modern America (1945-Present)
The Cold War, Civil Rights, and contemporary challenges
Chapter 32
The Cold War Begins
- Conflict with Soviet Union
- Containment policy
- Korean War
Chapter 33
The Civil Rights Movement
- Brown v. Board of Education
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Civil Rights Act of 1964