The History of America: From Columbus to Today

America’s story began long before it became the United States. It’s a tale of explorers, settlers, conflict, and growth. This is a summary of that history.

Early America

Before Europeans came, different Native American groups lived across the continent. They had different ways of life, shaped by the land around them.

• Mississippi Culture: These people built cities and large mounds for ceremonies and burials. They traded with others.
• Pueblos: In the Southwest, they built villages with many stories made of stone.
• Iroquois Confederacy: In the Northeast, five (later six) groups joined together. They created a government where people were chosen to represent them.

Some believe the Norse explorer Leif Ericson was the first European to reach North America, landing in what is now Newfoundland, Canada. However, his settlement didn’t last.

European Arrival

In the 1400s, Europeans started exploring the world. Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain, reached the Americas in 1492. This led other Europeans to come to the “New World.”

Columbus’s voyages opened the door for others, but brought horrible consequences. He and his men treated the native people cruelly, killing many. Even more died from diseases brought by the Europeans, because they had no protection from them.

Colonization

Different European countries began claiming land in America.

• Spain took control of Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of South America.
• France focused on the fur trade and converting natives to Christianity, exploring down the Mississippi River.
• The Netherlands set up trading posts along the Hudson River, calling their colony New Netherland.
• England started colonies like Jamestown, Virginia, which grew rich from tobacco.

To work on their farms, colonists used indentured servants. These people were paid to come to America in exchange for working for a set time. Colonists later began using African slaves, who were forced to work without pay.

Beaver Wars

The Iroquois Confederacy began trading with the Dutch and later the English for beaver furs. They wanted firearms in exchange for the furs. This led to conflict with other tribes who were allied with the French, known as the Beaver Wars. The Iroquois wanted to control the fur trade. The wars ended with the Great Peace of 1701, where the Iroquois, British, and French agreed to stop fighting.

Conflict and Revolution

By the mid-1700s, France controlled a lot of land, while England had 13 colonies. The English colonies had more people, but less land.

In 1754, the French and Indian War began between Britain and France over land in the Ohio River Valley. Britain won, gaining French territory in America. But the war cost Britain a lot of money, leading them to tax the colonies.

Taxes and Protests

The colonists were angry about the new taxes. They felt they should not be taxed without having representatives in the British Parliament. They protested and boycotted British goods. Key events increased tensions:

• Boston Massacre (1770): British soldiers shot and killed five protesters.
• Boston Tea Party (1773): Colonists dumped tea into the harbor to protest tea taxes.

Revolution

In 1775, fighting broke out between the colonists and British soldiers. The colonists formed the Continental Army, led by George Washington.

On July 4, 1776, the colonies declared independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

With help from France and Spain, the Continental Army eventually won the war. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris recognized the United States as an independent nation.

A New Nation

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was written, creating a new system of government. The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, guaranteed basic rights to citizens. George Washington became the first president in 1789.

Growth and Expansion

The U.S. continued to grow.

• President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, doubling the country’s size.
• The U.S. fought the War of 1812 with Britain, which ended without major changes.
• President Andrew Jackson forced many Native Americans to move west, in what became known as the Trail of Tears.
• The U.S. annexed Texas and won the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), gaining more land in the West.

Civil War

As the country expanded, disagreements grew over slavery. The North was mostly against slavery, while the South depended on it for their economy.

When Abraham Lincoln, who was against the spread of slavery, was elected president in 1860, Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America.

In 1861, the American Civil War began. The North had more industry and people, but the South had strong military leaders. After a bloody war, the North won in 1865. Slavery was abolished.

Shortly after the war ended, Lincoln was assassinated.

The 20th Century and Beyond

The U.S. continued to grow and change in the 20th century.

• The U.S. fought in World War I and World War II, becoming a major world power.
• The U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in the Cold War, a long period of tension and competition.
• The U.S. made great advances in science and technology, including landing the first men on the moon.
• The Civil Rights Movement led to greater equality for African Americans.

Modern Challenges

In 2001, the U.S. was attacked by terrorists on September 11th (9/11). This led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Today, the United States is a leading world power with a strong economy and military.

Conclusion

The history of America is complex and filled with many events. From the first people who arrived to the rise of a global superpower, the United States has had a long and interesting path. The story continues to unfold, with new challenges and opportunities shaping the nation’s future.

Want to learn more? Check out your local library!