Why should I care about US History?

The United States is a land of immigrants.  Our families have come to this country from other places, some recently, some many generations ago.  No one group of people can claim the United States as theirs only.  When people come to the United States, they not only accept American culture; their culture becomes part of America. 

The specific period of history we learn about covers the beginnings of the United States, from early years of European exploration through the American Revolution.  It is an exciting time of history – people risked everything to cross a vast ocean; civilizations clashed, sometimes violently; people sought freedom, while others were enslaved; and, of course, our nation was born.

So what exactly will I be studying?

A lot of good stuff!  Here’s a short list:

• Early cultures of Africa, Europe, and North America

• The beginning of European colonization of the Americas

• The development of English colonies in what will become the United States

• Clashes with Native Americans, the first settlers of the Americas

• Conflicts among European nations in the Americas

• The American Revolution

• The creation of the United States and its Constitution