History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877 is a comprehensive, open-source textbook that offers an in-depth examination of early U.S. history. Published by the University System of Georgia and the University Press of North Georgia, this textbook provides a people-focused narrative from before European contact through the Reconstruction era.
Recommended for: Beginner-to-intermediate readers. This textbook is suitable for students with varying levels of prior knowledge in U.S. history. It provides a comprehensive overview that is accessible to those new to the subject, while also offering in-depth exploration for those seeking to deepen their understanding.
You will:
- Understand the major events, figures, and themes of early U.S. history
- Analyze the impact of European contact on Native American societies
- Examine the causes and consequences of key historical events, such as the American Revolution and the Civil War
- Evaluate the social, political, and economic changes during the period of Reconstruction
- Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through historical analysis
- Recognize the diverse perspectives and experiences of different groups during this era
- Engage with primary and secondary sources to interpret historical evidence
Detailed Overview
History in the Making underwent a rigorous double-blind peer review process involving over 30 scholars to ensure its scholarly integrity and high quality. It places a strong emphasis on critical thinking about U.S. history through the inclusion of several key features in each chapter.
Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students understand the key topics they will explore. “Before You Move On” sections at the end of each main section encourage students to reflect on important concepts and test their knowledge. Each chapter also includes critical thinking exercises, key terms, and a chronology of events to further reinforce student learning.
The textbook covers a wide range of topics in U.S. history, including European contact, the colonial period, the American Revolution, the Constitution, westward expansion, slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. It places a strong emphasis on the diversity of the American people and their histories, providing a comprehensive yet accessible narrative.
Suitable for survey courses in U.S. history covering the period up to 1877 (HIST 2110 or HIST 2111), this open-source textbook offers a high-quality resource for students and instructors seeking an in-depth, critical examination of the early history of the United States.
Citation
Locks, Catherine; Mergel, Sarah; Roseman, Pamela; Spike, Tamara; and Lasseter, Marie, “History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877” (2013). https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/history-textbooks/1
Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. The full text of the license is available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
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