American History
People, events, movements influencing the history and character of the United States.
A New Look at the British Colonies in America 
It was after the Seven Years War that Britain began to look at the colonies differently. The British government began to look into how they could get the colonies into a “more efficient trading system with British colonies in the Caribbean and India.” Abolitionists
The end of slavery was due to the tireless efforts of those called abolitionists. They used various methods to gain their goal of freeing all slaves. Alaska - The Steal of the Century
One of our largest states with a large amount resources was once laughed at for even considering purchasing it. Alaska was bought so cheap that it was almost a steal. America - A Melting Pot
America has been described as a Melting Pot, but it wasn't until recently that it began to truly earn that name. America's Complete Independence from Britain
The efforts of America to be politically, economically, and culturally independent from Britain was similar to that of a wildebeest born who has to quickly find its footing before the predators swoop down. This was the development of American independence. America's Use of the Glorious Revolution 
Less than a hundred years later (after the Glorious Revolution), the American colonists also felt dissatisfied with how they were ruled. They wanted new leadership and followed the example of the English Parliament of 1688. American Colonization Made Way for Revolution
This hands off version of governing worked well for Britain the beginning; but by letting the English colonies develop their own culture and governing with a lax hand, the British crown set the stage for the American Revolution. American Revolution Found in Seven Years' War
The colonies were a way to get money and peace. Yet, when the Seven Years' War occurred, the colonies became much more. American Revolution Inspired Shays Rebellion 
The farmers involved in Shays’ Rebellion and other similar gatherings throughout Massachusetts found their inspiration in their leaders of the American Revolution. Andrew Jackson - Indian Hater?
Andrew Jackson has obtained the reputation as one who despised and treated the native tribes of America horribly. Was that really who the man was or does history have a slanted look? Andrew Jackson as a Common Man
The surprise rise of Andrew Jackson as a political favorite was not due to his experience or connections. He was the man Americans felt represented them the best. Andrew Jackson Made a Name for Himself
Law was the perfect place for somebody with nothing to find something. It was a developing profession that was considered a new wilderness that was to be shaped. It was a position that did not make friends and was not for the weak of heart. In fact, it could prove deadly if the wrong moves were made Beginnings of Mormans and the Gold Plates
It is never easy to sum up a religious sect in a paragraph or a complete series of books. Nothing is black and white when it comes to doing that. The Mormons are no exception to this. British Neglect Led to American Revolution
The colonists wanted to be heard and have a say in how the mother country was suddenly directed them. Taxes were not the issue. It was how the taxes were handled. To the colonists, the Stamp Act was a tax for the entire purpose of raising money. Causes of the War of 1812
As with any conflict, there is rarely any one action that causes the final blow in declaring war. This can be said about the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. Changes Thomas Jefferson Brought
Thomas Jefferson’s election to the office of presidency changed much about the American world. Complete American Independence
In the 1790s, America was still floundering, economically, to find its footing after pulling away from Britain. It would take individual determination and political maneuverings to get American economically stable and strong. Creation of President's Day
Each February America celebrates President's Day. But do we really know why and some other truths behind it? Daniel Shays did not Seek to Lead a Revolution
Daniel Shays was an American Revolutionary war veteran who was suffering with numerous farmers in his community.he failure of the community’s petition to find relief forced Shays along with his fellow farmers to look for more drastic measures. They turned to the only successful examples they knew.
Daniel Webster - The Man with the Silver Tongue
Daniel Webster was the man who teased the ears of early Americans and played a major part in shaping America today. Daniel Webster and the Whig Party
Daniel Webster was a huge figure in American politics as his position as attorney and politician with excellent oratory skills. His influence was huge in American history and too easily forgotten by many. Debt Helped Lead to Shays Rebellion
The American Revolution was not a decade behind the nation which meant that a new government was not entirely formed. This in turn meant that a new currency was not fully in circulation to handle the situation the new nation found itself in. No money meant no payment of debt. Failure of Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were created out of fear and were a reflection of “the wariness by the states of a strong central government.” First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a means of getting England's attention and was the first step toward independence. Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was a great explorer that discovered many new geographical sites in the Americas. In searching for the Northwest Passage, he ultimately found his death. History of the Foster Care System
Fostering a child is not something new. It has been around since the Middle Ages and beyond. During that time, the term ‘fostering’ had a different meaning. Impact of Grand Banks on Europe and America
The Grand Banks was a natural wonder for the fish it produced. It did so much to impact Europe that most do not even realize. Importance of Native and Colonial Relations
The Indians were the ones who called the New World home. To the Europeans that arrived on the new shores, the land was completely unknown to them. They did not know what crops would grow, how the weather would influence them, or what was behind the next hill. Inaugural Addresses as Pulse of Nation
To get the full feel of how the leaders of the United States of America viewed the role of President and where the country stood, the inaugural addresses are a great place to start. It is from the presidential inaugural addresses that one can understand better the various administrations and the dec Indentured Servants
Much of American colonization was from the large population of indentured servants. Jackson was the Answer for the Americans in 1828
he election for president in 1828 was a new venture into the unknown for most of the political world. Jackson and his supports took politics from the hands of the elite and made it accessible to everyone of voting age and requirements. Jackson's Surprise Run for the White House
The change of politics could be heard loud and clear in 1824 as support for Andrew Jackson stretched far and wide across the nation. His support was the reason Calhoun’s Republication nomination never went through. Jacksonian America a Glimpse Toward the Civil War
It was the nullification crisis that gave fuel to the “affronted southern-rights extremists” that could be found in South Carolina and beyond. Since the birth of America, many decisions came down to a North versus South mentality as each section had its own special interests. John Cabot - Another Successful Failure
John Cabot was an explorer who set out to find one thing but discovered so much more. Misinformed about Benedict Arnold?
What do we know about Benedict Arnold? He betrayed his country. He gave America up to the British. Is that the whole truth and nothing about the truth? Let’s see. Mormonism and the Second Great Awakening
As the number of those attending church more than doubled due to the Great Awakening, the spiritual focus of people also increased. Myths Surrounding the Battle of Trenton
History is full of amazing adventures, battles, and events. What most of us do not realize is how much of what we know as “history” is actually legend and myth. The Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War is no exception this. Native Response to European Settlement
The Indians gave a variety of responses to the English colonization. It ranged from tolerance and allies to all out war. The manner of colonization and the impact felt by the Indians determined most of the responses that were received. Our Flag's Coming Out - The Story of Our Flag
An account of the different views on when America's flag was first used. Political Changes from Andrew Jackson's Presidency
As Andrew Jackson entered the presidential political arena, American politics were slowly changing. The playing field was changing. Politics would no longer be the way it had been in the first few elections of the new country. Role of Newspapers in American 1790s
There was no CNN or Internet to promote political opinions in the 1790s or any time during the American development stage. Samuel Adams as The Father of Liberty
A roaring fire needs more than heat. It needs gentle, persuasive air to fan the embers and bring forth the roaring fire that spreads fast and furious. Samuel Adams was the one to fan the flames and bring about the American Revolution. Slavery in America
Slavery in America was not a new institution. It was though a very brutal one that brought slave treatment into the world's view and helped bring down its reign. Slaves in the Western American Territories
As the west began to expand with more and more Americans, many of them were bringing their slaves with them to continue the way of life they were familiar with. It was not strange or out of the ordinary but it have huge impacts for the future of the country. Stablizing the American Economy After Revolution
In the 1790s, America was still floundering, economically, to find its footing after pulling away from Britain. It would take individual determination and political maneuverings to get American economically stable and strong. Stars and Stripes
Each group has a symbol that reflects their heart. The American flag, Stars and Stripes, tells a story in the colors and shine and the shapes that lay on it. Learn why the flag looks the way it does and the story behind it. Support for Shays Rebellion in Declaration
The early administration of the federal government under the U.S. Constitution would look back on Shays’ Rebellion as a “healthy and essentially harmless expression of popular discontent by American farmers” which “prompted an excessive and unnecessary military response.” Territorial Expansion in the 1800s
It was obvious that America would move west as the land appeared to go on forever and the population of the East coast was increasing by leaps and bounds. Expansion was unavoidable. Expansion was the only way for the nation to grow and to settle many of the country’s issues in the process. The Abyss of Politics Today is Child’s Play
I’ve said it myself. The politics of today are getting out of hand. They are reaching an all-time low. Others have said it. The truth is that it is not that low yet. The abyss of the politics of today is child’s play in comparison to the politics found in the annals of history. The Acts that Started the American Revolution
This was a shock to the colonists who had had freedom for such a long time. Britain wanted the colonies to pay with higher taxes. The colonists did not exactly protest the fact that taxes might be needed. They were protesting the method and the unreasonableness of the taxes. The Adoption of the Flag - The Story of Our Flag
Congress was not so quick to adopt the Stars and Strips. It took time and political movements to get the flag approved and it flying all over the thirteen colonies. This piece of a 1898 book describes how it all took place. The American System
One method the American government used to facilitate economic growth in the early to mid-1800s was providing jobs for the citizens. The Camp at Cambridge
Not many people are aware of the Continental Army's camp at Cambridge, but this gathering was crucial in the American Revolutionary War. The Charter Oak
One tree became a symbol to the colonists. It stood for freedom. It helped inspire a revolution. The Design of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has thousands of visitors a year. The beauty of it reflects the spirit of the country. But who has thought of how the city was developed and who was the genius behind it? Join me as we take a fresh look at the capital city. The Development of the American Postal System
Benjamin Franklin might have made a huge impact on the United States postal system, but he was not the founder. The postal system actually began thousands of years earlier. The Founding of Jamestown
The first successful English settlement in the New World taught the newcomers some harsh lessons. Only with these lessons would a new country emerge. The Grand Union Flag
Most of us would say that a version of the current flag sewed by Betsy Ross was the first flag of the colonies. Would you be surprised to learn that it was not? There was one other flag that united the colonies first - The Grand Union Flag. The Importance of Fur Trading in the New World
The expansion of America was not solely due to alliances and creating of colonies. It was spurned by the fur trappers that led to the settlement of the New World. The Influence of Quakers on American History
The Quakers are known for their peaceful stances, but what most do not realize is that they have done so much more for America. They have influenced the political, educational, social, and economic areas of the entire country. The Influence of the Seven Years' War
One of the most wide-spread influential colonial wars was the Seven Years War which touched every colony and set the stage for the American Revolution. Known as the French and Indian War in the colonies where it spilled over, it created many of the colonial leaders. The Lowell Experiment
In a nutshell, the Lowell Experiment was a step in creating jobs and product while also taking care of employee welfare. The Order of the Skull and Bones
The attention of many people is on secret societies. They have been around throughout history. What gets attention drawn to them? Two things: secrets and men of power being a part of them. The Order of the Skull and Bones is one of America’s favorite secret societies. The Purpose of European Colonization of America
Each of the European countries had their reasons and agendas for getting involved in the New World. It ranged from money to power to a place to discard the unwanted. Their reasoning fluctuated as situations rose up and new leaders stepped into play. The Revolutionary Spirit of Shays Rebellion
The roots of what became known as Shays’ Rebellion can be traced to the revolutionary spirit epitomized in the American Revolution where the voice of the people were heard with extreme clarity. The Success of the Chesapeake Tobacco Colonies
The success of the British trade is easily attributed to the success of the Chesapeake colonies and the tobacco they furnished. The Success of the English Colonies
The English colonies succeeded because they found what would bring them success in each of the colonial areas. The Chesapeake colonists found that tobacco would give them the edge. Through this product, they were able to supply Europe with their smoking supplies. The Truth at the OK Corral
The famous fight at the OK Corral has gone down into history as the ultimate fight of good and evil. But what is reality and what is myth? The Turkey as America’s National Bird? 
Historical rumor has it that the turkey almost was our national bird. The truth is generally not quite what we learn throughout our years. The Whigs and Their Party
In a sense, the Whigs were Jackson’s “myriad antagonists, some old, some new, some champions of the American System and others its erstwhile enemies”. Politics can make strange bedfellows. Truth versus Myth at the Alamo
Legend is always inspiring and the Alamo is not an exception. But what really is the truth of that famous fight? Washington - First Commander in Chief
The first Commander in Chief was George Washington. Did the early colonist realize the magnitude of that title and what it was prophesying? Wyatt Earp - The Shaping of a Legend
Wyatt Earp is an American legend. His fame has led to truth and fiction mixed. What we do know is he was a lawman with slight criminal tendencies. History Homepage | Editor's Picks Articles | Top Ten Articles | History Site Map
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