Early America Study Program
The Early America program covers United States history from the founding of British colonies in America to the progressive era following the Civil War. It includes stories of interest about explorers, settlers, inventors, military heroes, Indian leaders, and presidents, and Indian leaders, as well as political developments. (1600 to 1900).
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Overview
Because the Heritage library features story-based histories and biographies rather than textbooks, the Early America study program is more anecdotal and less political than many other similar curriculums. Our core-reading selections cover the essentials of American history as well as most Middle School textbooks, but most books in the collection focus on personalities, American heroes and adventure stories rather than constitutional issues.
The stories in the Early American collection are generally patriotic but there is relatively little emphasis on civics or political philosophy. The program is intended for Middle School students and young teens rather than college prep high schoolers.
The collection does include short biographies of many American heroes, and there are many books that are suitable for grammar school age students. Some books focus on the deeds of Presidents and statesmen, but others tell the stories of inventors, educators, soldiers, settlers, frontiersmen, and businessmen. Our collection of American Indian history is especially good.
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Reading Recommendations
The following books are recommended as 'core' reading assignments for Early America. The complete texts are online, or PDF and EPUB versions can be downloaded.
Colonial America—The first three units of Early America cover the early exploration of North America to the Revolutionary period. Our core reading recommendations are:
- Story of the Thirteen Colonies by Helene Guerber
- This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall (first half)
Early Repblic—The second three divisions (4 to 6) of Early America cover the first critical decades of the American republic, the Civil War, and the Progressive Era.
- Story of the Great Republic by Helene Guerber
- This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall (second half)
Amerindians and Western Expansion—The final two divisionis cover Western Expansion and American Indian History. There is much overlap, but the former is reported from the point of view of western frontiersmen and settlers, and the latter features native American heroes. Much history of this period is anecdotal, since tribes and settlers alike were isolated. One of the best authors of the period is Edward Sabin. Francis Drake's comprehensive history of American Indians is also worthwhile.
- Boys Book of Indian Warriors by Edward Sabin
- Boys Book of Frontier Fighters by Edward Sabin
- Indian History for Young Folks by Francis Drake
Additional Reading Resources—The following links provide information about additional reading options for Early America.
- Book Descriptions — Short Descriptions of all books in the Heritage Library related to American History.
- Reading Assignments — Detailed, chapter-to-chapter reading assignments for each division of American history, including both "core" and supplemental suggestions.
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Study Aids
Study Aids are provided to help students review important characters and events. Some resources relate to all of American history and others to specific historical eras.
Early America Study Aids
| Historical Maps | Outline Maps |
| Timeline | Major Characters |
| Wars and Battles | Era Summaries |
Historical Divisions
- European Exploration — Voyage of Leif Ericson to La Salle explores Mississippi (1000 to 1682)
- Early Colonies — Lost Colony of Roanoke to Colony of Georgia (1585 to 1750)
- Revolutionary Period — French-Indian War to Constitutional Congress (1750 to 1788)
- Early Republic — Constitution ratified to Mexican-American War (1789 to 1850)
- Civil War Period — Compromise of 1850 to End of Reconstruction (1850 to 1877)
- Progressive Era — Transcontinental Railroad to The Great War (1869 to 1918)
- Westward Expansion — California Missions to Hawaii Becomes a Territory (1770 to 1900)
- American Indian — De Soto Expedition to Wounded Knee Massacre (1540 to 1890)
