US History

The United States is located between Canada and Mexico on the North American continent. US history dates back over 20,000 years when the first settlers were thought to have migrated using the Bering land bridge to Alaska. Since then there have been many developments in US history. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

The inhabitants of the pre colonial United States were the Native Americans. They had there first contact with European explorers in the year 1000 when Vikings landed in Newfoundland. Then in 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Rico. However, it wasn’t until 1513 that Juan Ponce de Leon set foot on the continental US, when he settled in Florida. Between the years 1513 and 1803 in US history there was much French, British and Spanish exploration and settlement.

Then, between the years 1776 and 1789 the United States itself was formed. It declared its independence from England after a Revolutionary War. In 1789 the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution of the United States of America.

Between the years 1789 and 1849 the major concentration was on westward expansion. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 gave settlers the use of the Mississippi River and aided in their expansion efforts by removing the French presence in that area. Unfortunately, American settlers forced Native Americans from their homes in the east, making them relocate in the west, despite their protests.

The next era in US history is the Civil War period, from 1849-1865. During this time the southern states attempted to secede from the union. The northern states fought to end slavery, and the south surrendered in 1865.

The United States focused its efforts on rebuilding and industrialization between the years 1865 and 1918. During this time there were many immigrants who flocked to America. Then in 1918 the US entered World War I.

The post WWI and Great Depression Era took place between 1918 and 1940. In 1929 the stock market crashed, and there was a dramatic rise in poverty and unemployment. The US was involved in WWII from 1940 to 1945.

Between the years 1945 and 1964 the US was involved in the Cold War with the Soviet communist republic. This was also a time of important civil rights movements within the United States itself.