History of the USA - the history of the United States of America
   
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Vacation 2 USA   >   History

   
 

History


Humans are believed to have first reached North America around 20,000 years ago, by crossing the Bering land bridge from Asia. These people settled and became the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas prior to the arrival of the Europeans.

The first European settlement in North America was established by Leif Erikson and the Vikings in 1000 AD, in what is today Newfoundland. However, this colony did not last for long, and it was several hundred years before Europeans reached the continent again. It has also been claimed that muslim explorers from Spain or Northwest Africa may have reached the continent, but this claim remains disputed.

The first European that is certain to have reached United States territory is Christopher Columbus who landed in Puerto Rico in 1492. Following Columbus, more and more Europeans began to arrive in the Americas, and the first expedition to what is not the continental United states was made by the Spaniard, Juan Ponce de León who is known to have explored Florida in 1513.

As the Americas were gradually explored, a variety of European countries including Denmark, France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, began to establish permanent colonies in the New World. In North America, the most successful of these was Great Britain, which by the end of the Seven Years War (known in the US as the "French and Indian War") had conquered most of the French territory in North America.

However, with the removal of the French military threat, disputes began to arise between Great Britain and her colonists over issues like taxation. These disputes eventually culiminated in American Revolution (1775 to 1783) which resulted in the formation of the United States from 13 former British colonies which had won their independence in the Revolutionary War.

Additional lands were gradually acquired by the US from France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Mexico, and within a century, the United States stretched across the entire North American continent. In 1867, Alaska was purchased from Russia. Further terroritorial acquistions followed with the annexation of Hawaii (1898), and following the Spanish-American war, of Puerto Rico. The final major addition to the US was the purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

The US has not been without difficulties during its history, the most noteable of these being the American Civil War (1861 to 1865) which was fought over the issues of slavery and states' rights. In the American Civil War, a large (Southern) part of the country, tried (ultimately unsuccessfully) to secede from the Union in an attempt to prevent the abolition of slavery, as well as to main and increase the individual states' rights.

In the 20th century, the US participated in both World Wars, and was on the victorious side in both conflicts. Following the end of World War II, the US engaged for over 40 years in a political, economic and military conflict with the USSR, known as the Cold War.

Today, the US is the most powerful country in the world, both economically and militarily, and US cultural influences can be seen all over the world in food, music, movies and the arts. Despite this, the US is today not without challenges, most notably the threat of terrorism, which was dramatically brought to the world's attention with the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001.

For more detailed history on any state or territory, please select:

 
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  • Here are some books about the history of the United States:


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    A People's History of the United States

    By Howard Zinn

    Audible
    Released: December 14th, 2009
    Audible Audiobook

    A People s History of the United States
    List Price: $34.99*
    Lowest New Price: $30.62*
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    Description:
    A People's History of the United States
    • Manufacturer: HarperAudio
    • Brand: Audible
    Details:
    • Product Category: Audible Audiobook
    • Format: Unabridged
    • Author: Howard Zinn
    • Publication Date: December 14th, 2009
    • Release Date: December 14th, 2009
    Click here for more information

    Advanced Placement United States History, 4th Edition

    By John J Newman

    Perfection Learning
    Released: September 1st, 2020
    Paperback (807 pages)

    Advanced Placement United States History, 4th Edition
    List Price: $30.50*
    Lowest New Price: $28.17*
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    Description:
    Advanced Placement United States History, 4th Edition
    • Manufacturer: Perfection Learning
    • Brand: Perfection Learning
    • ISBN: 1690305509
    • EAN: 9781690305507
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Number of Pages: 807
    • Authors: John J Newman, Schmalbach John M
    • Publication Date: September 1st, 2020
    • Release Date: September 1st, 2020
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 6.1 Inches by 9.1 Inches by 1.7 Inches
    • Weight: 2.6 Pounds
    Click here for more information

    A Monetary and Fiscal History of the United States, 1961–2021

    By Alan S. Blinder

    Princeton University Press
    Released: October 11th, 2022
    Hardcover (432 pages)

    A Monetary and Fiscal History of the United States, 1961–2021
    List Price: $39.95*
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    Description:
    A Monetary and Fiscal History of the United States, 1961–2021
    • Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
    • ISBN: 0691238383
    • EAN: 9780691238388
    Details:
    • Hardcover
    • Number of Pages: 432
    • Author: Alan S. Blinder
    • Publication Date: October 11th, 2022
    • Release Date: October 11th, 2022
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 9.5 Inches by 6.5 Inches by 1.25 Inches
    • Weight: 1.72 Pounds
    Click here for more information

    These Truths: A History of the United States

    By Jill Lepore

    W. W. Norton & Company
    Released: October 1st, 2019
    Paperback (960 pages)

    These Truths: A History of the United States
    List Price: $19.95*
    Lowest New Price: $11.99*
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    Description:
    These Truths: A History of the United States
    • Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
    • Brand: W. W. Norton & Company
    • ISBN: 0393357422
    • EAN: 9780393357424
    • PartNumber: 70 illustrations
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Format: Illustrated
    • Edition: Revised
    • Number of Pages: 960
    • Author: Jill Lepore
    • Publication Date: October 1st, 2019
    • Release Date: October 1st, 2019
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 9.3 Inches by 6.1 Inches by 1.5 Inches
    • Weight: 1.93345403774 Pounds
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    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States (REVISIONING HISTORY)

    By Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

    Beacon Press
    Released: August 11th, 2015
    Multicolor Paperback (320 pages)

    An Indigenous Peoples  History of the United States (REVISIONING HISTORY)
    List Price: $16.00*
    Lowest New Price: $12.19*
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    Description:
    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States (REVISIONING HISTORY)
    • Manufacturer: Beacon Press
    • Brand: Beacon Press
    • ISBN: 0807057835
    • EAN: 9780807057834
    • PartNumber: 42054146
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Edition: Reprint
    • Number of Pages: 320
    • Author: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
    • Publication Date: August 11th, 2015
    • Release Date: August 11th, 2015
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 9.0 Inches by 6.0 Inches by 1.0 Inches
    • Weight: 1.01192178258 Pounds
    • Color: Multicolor
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    A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency

    By Robert V. Remini

    Harper Perennial
    Released: December 1st, 2009
    Paperback (416 pages)

    A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency
    List Price: $18.99*
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    Description:
    A Short History of the United States: From the Arrival of Native American Tribes to the Obama Presidency
    • Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
    • Brand: Harper Perennial
    • ISBN: 0060831456
    • EAN: 9780060831455
    • PartNumber: 9780060831455
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Format: Illustrated
    • Edition: Reprint
    • Number of Pages: 416
    • Author: Robert V. Remini
    • Publication Date: December 1st, 2009
    • Release Date: December 1st, 2009
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 9.0 Inches by 6.0 Inches by 1.04 Inches
    • Weight: 0.96782933018 Pounds
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    American History: A Visual Encyclopedia

    By DK

    DK Children
    Released: June 25th, 2019
    Multicolor Hardcover (320 pages)

    American History: A Visual Encyclopedia
    List Price: $29.99*
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    Description:
    American History: A Visual Encyclopedia
    • Manufacturer: DK Children
    • Brand: DK Children
    • ISBN: 1465483675
    • EAN: 9781465483676
    • PartNumber: Illustrations, unspecified
    Details:
    • Hardcover
    • Edition: Illustrated
    • Number of Pages: 320
    • Author: DK
    • Publication Date: June 25th, 2019
    • Release Date: June 25th, 2019
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 11.1 Inches by 8.8 Inches by 1.09 Inches
    • Weight: 3.35 Pounds
    • Color: Multicolor
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    A True History of the United States: Indigenous Genocide, Racialized Slavery, Hyper-Capitalism, Militarist Imperialism and Other Overlooked Aspects of American Exceptionalism (Truth to Power)

    By Daniel Sjursen

    Truth to Power
    Released: June 1st, 2021
    White Paperback (688 pages)

    A True History of the United States: Indigenous Genocide, Racialized Slavery, Hyper-Capitalism, Militarist Imperialism and Other Overlooked Aspects of American Exceptionalism (Truth to Power)
    List Price: $19.95*
    Lowest New Price: $14.99*
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    Description:
    A True History of the United States: Indigenous Genocide, Racialized Slavery, Hyper-Capitalism, Militarist Imperialism and Other Overlooked Aspects of American Exceptionalism (Truth to Power)
    • Manufacturer: Steerforth Press / Truth to Power
    • Brand: Truth to Power
    • ISBN: 1586422537
    • EAN: 9781586422530
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Number of Pages: 688
    • Author: Daniel Sjursen
    • Publication Date: June 1st, 2021
    • Release Date: June 1st, 2021
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 8.52 Inches by 5.44 Inches by 1.86 Inches
    • Weight: 1.45 Pounds
    • Color: White
    Click here for more information

    The History of the American Revolution: A History Book for New Readers (The History Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

    By Emma Carlson Berne

    Rockridge Press
    Released: September 21st, 2021
    Paperback (66 pages)

    The History of the American Revolution: A History Book for New Readers (The History Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)
    Lowest New Price: $7.99*
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    Description:
    The History of the American Revolution: A History Book for New Readers (The History Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)
    • Manufacturer: Rockridge Press
    • ISBN: 1648767915
    • EAN: 9781648767913
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Number of Pages: 66
    • Author: Emma Carlson Berne
    • Publication Date: September 21st, 2021
    • Release Date: September 21st, 2021
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 8.27 Inches by 5.83 Inches by 0.1794 Inches
    • Weight: 0.26 Pounds
    Click here for more information

    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People)

    By Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

    Beacon Press
    Released: July 23rd, 2019
    Multicolor Paperback (272 pages)

    An Indigenous Peoples  History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People)
    List Price: $18.95*
    Lowest New Price: $13.49*
    In Stock.*
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    Description:
    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People)
    • Manufacturer: Beacon Press
    • Brand: Beacon Press
    • ISBN: 0807049395
    • EAN: 9780807049396
    Details:
    • Paperback
    • Edition: Illustrated
    • Number of Pages: 272
    • Author: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
    • Publication Date: July 23rd, 2019
    • Release Date: July 23rd, 2019
    Physical Description:
    • Size: 8.0 Inches by 5.5 Inches by 0.81 Inches
    • Weight: 0.76 Pounds
    • Color: Multicolor
    Click here for more information


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