Early American History

EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY

The U.S. Begins

Articles & Categories:

American Revolution

The Bill of Rights

A Century Of Exploration

Evolution of American English

Initial Battles for Independence

Heroes and Patriots of America

The Old Dominion - Settling Virginia

Revolutionary War Maps on CD

Settling of America - New England Settlements

Settling America - The Proprietary Colonies

The United States Constitution

About the United States Constitution

People:

John Adams - Founding Father & 2nd U.S. President

Nathaniel Bacon - First American Rebel

Nathanael Greene - Amercan Revolution Hero

Thomas Jefferson -- The Sage of Monticello

George Washington - Father of our Country

John Paul Jones - Greatest Revolutionary Naval Commander

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Long before the Civil War and the days of the Wild West, early American History began with those first Native Americans who settled upon this land some 15,000 years ago. But, the history of the United States begins with those first early explorers, beginning with Christopher Columbus, and continuing with various explorers from England, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and other European countries.

By the 16th century, Europeans had introduced horses, cattle and pigs to the continent, as well new seeds for farming, inventions never before seen by Native Americans, firearms, and unfortunately, diseases.

Spain, France, the Netherlands, Russia, and England all formed colonies that would later become part of U.S. Territory. But, it would be the original thirteen English colonies that would become the first U.S. states. These colonies began to be established along the east coast in 1607 and grew rapidly over the next half century, reaching a population of 50,000 by 1650. Immigration continued at a steady pace and by 1700, the English colonies were called home to about 250,000 people.

During these early years, a number of conflicts took place between the Native Americans and the colonists including a Powhatan uprising in Virginia in 1622, King Philip's War in present-day southern New England in 1675-76, and the Yamasee War in colonial South Carolina in 1715-17. Other small-scale wars also took place outside of the colonies including the French and Indian War to the north and other skirmishes between the Spanish and the Indians to the south.

By the mid 1750's, the colonists were prospering with most free men owning their own farms and the colonies were primarily governing themselves. Though "officially" under the rule of the British Crown, the immigrants rarely had to deal with them as the home government had permitted wide latitude to local colonial governments. However, this changed in the 1760's when Britain demanded that the colonists pay taxes. The colonists, who were not represented in the British government, rebelled.

More taxes initiated in 1765 and later, a tax on tea, resulted in the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and ultimately, the American Revolution. As the British responded with force, the Continental Congress was convened in 1775 to to organize the defense of the colonies, which by that time supported some 2.5 million people. The new United States of America declared independence on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.

When the war was finally over in 1783, the founding fathers struggled to establish a fledgling government, created the Constitution in 1788. The first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights quickly followed,. The new national government under President George Washington began operation in 1789.

Growth of the United States dramatically expanded with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which began westward expansion in earnest. After the Mexican-American War, which ended in 1848, the nation grew once again, reaching the Pacific Ocean.

Rapid economic and population growth created a powerful nation, but, when tensions escalated between the slaveholding plantation South and the industrial North, the Civil War began in 1861, plunging the nation into the deadliest war in American history. When it was finally over in 1865, tens of thousands of emigrants pushed westward, ushering in the days of the Old West.

The distinction between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders, are no more. I am not a

Virginian, but an American.

-- Patrick Henry, 1774

Photo prints and downloads available HERE!

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

American History and Patriotic Photographs - From our personal collection of vast historical photographs, hundreds of prints are available that provide dramatic glimpses into American History. From the American Revolution to the 20th Century, the collection includes the National Banner, patriots, and scenes of those historic times. Here, you'll find inspirational restored vintage photographs, posters, and paintings that depict the history that led to this great American nation. Be sure to check back often as this varied collection grows daily.