A Clear Guide to the American Past
This guide covers the nation's history, from its Indigenous origins and colonial times to its founding, major conflicts, immigration, and current topics.
Why is this site easy to use?
- Easy to read, with simple formatting and clear text.
- Simple to navigate with a table of contents on each page.
- Light and dark mode options and a reading progress indicator.
How to Get Started
You can begin with the history of the continent's first peoples, move through the colonial period, and learn about the nation's founding. Then, continue into the 20th century to understand modern events and the push for social change.
- Indigenous Peoples — Ancient Heritage
- The Colonial Period — 1788–1900
- A New Nation — 1901
- Forging a Nation — 1901–1945
- The Modern Era — 1945–1991
- Contemporary Issues — 1992–Present
Key Historical Moments
A Glimpse of the Land and Its People
The United States is a large and diverse country, with everything from coastlines and deserts to forests and mountains. Most people live in cities, but many communities have strong historical ties to the land. The economy is driven by technology, services, education, and industry.
To understand American history, it's helpful to look at its main themes: the history of its Indigenous peoples, the colonial period, the country's founding principles, the effects of wars and economic changes, the growth of a multicultural society, and the ongoing work toward equality.
Highlights in history
Ancient History
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples built complex societies and managed the land.
Colonial Beginnings
Early colonies developed their own governments, which laid the groundwork for a new country.
Westward Movement
In the 1800s, westward expansion brought new people and led to major social changes and growth.
A New Nation
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution created a new country based on new ideas.
Major Challenges
The Civil War, two World Wars, and the Great Depression changed the country's society, economy, and place in the world.
The Push for Civil Rights
Key events in the Civil Rights Movement show the continuing fight for justice and changes in the law.
The Importance of Studying the Past
Studying history helps us understand where our modern government and society came from, why we still debate certain issues, and how we can improve in the future. It shows how communities have handled economic problems, how cities developed, and how different groups of people created a shared identity. It also helps us learn from parts of history that have often been ignored.
Navigate through the different historical periods using the menu, or get a quick overview with our interactive timeline.