The United States of America was born as a result of persecution on another continent. The first colonists included those searching for religious freedom as well as those searching for adventure and a more prosperous life. Early settlers came from the Netherlands, Holland and England. Later, they came from all over the world. The early colonists in Roanoke and Jamestown had less than positives experiences. The mystery of the disappearance of the Roanoke settlers did little to discourage other groups. Neither did the difficulties of life at Jamestown and Plymouth discourage them. Despite adversity in many forms, Europeans came to North America by the thousands, and eventually there were thirteen British colonies that laid claim to the eastern edge of this continent.

The excitement of emigration to a new land soon gave way to impatience and anger at a British king who didn't seem to care what demands he put on his colonial subjects. Impatience and anger led to revolution, and the United States of America was born. A breathtakingly simple Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written, and America soon emerged as a world power.

America challenged Spain and Mexico for land, made purchases from France and welcomed several new states. Under the influence of Manifest Destiny, in less than a century America controlled the land from coast to coast. Americans heard astounding descriptions of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, dreamed of striking it rich with California gold, feared attacks by Native Americans and thrilled at the idea of finding a piece of land to claim for their own—if only they would go west! This young country experienced the destruction of Native American ways of life, an unimaginable civil war, a country broken, the freeing of slaves, a country rebuilt, an industrial revolution and the ratification of amendments giving all citizens the right to vote—all in less than 150 years!

The authors of this book hope to share information about the history, economy, government and people of the United States in a way that will encourage students to look beyond the facts of our country's history and to try to think creatively about our past. Each summary is followed by vocabulary activities, discussion questions, creative-thinking questions and creative-writing and other activities. At the end is a research unit.

Happy Research!

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Grades 5–8.