PREFATORY NOTE. THIS work follows the same general lines as the author's "Leading Facts of American History." It differs, however, from the more elementary manual in many important respects. It is much fuller in its treatment of political and constitutional history, and of the chief events bearing on the development of the nation. It quotes the statements of public men, original documents, and authorities, in order that the history of our country may speak for itself on the points of greatest interest to the student and the teacher. As a help to further research, note numbers have been inserted throughout the book referring to upwards of two thousand works of acknowledged merit cited in the Appendix. The author is particularly indebted to the Trustees and the Librarian of the Boston Athenæum for the privilege of making use of the admirable collection of books under their charge. CONTENTS. SECTION I. The Discovery and Naming of America, 1492 to 1521. II. Attempts at Exploring and Colonizing America (the Country, the Natives, Effects of the Discovery of America on Europe), III. Permanent English and French Settlements (the Thirteen Col- onies, French Exploration of the West, Wars with the In- dians and with the French, Colonial Life), 1607 to 1763 . IV. The Revolution, the Constitution, 1763 to 1789. V. The Union, National Development (Presidents from Washing- PAGE I 12. Period of the Revolution - Southern Colonies (colored) 13. The United States at the Close of the Revolution (colored) 14. The Northwest Territory (colored). 15. The United States in 1792 (colored) 16. Indian Land Cessions in Ohio 17. The War of 1812. 26. Relief Map of the United States. 27. Territorial Growth (colored) 28. The United States at the Present Time (colored) 29. The United States and Dependent Territories (colored). 192 |