The United States History division of the Young Readers collection begins with stories of the founding fathers, the constitution, and the first presidents, and continues to the early 20th century. George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln are a few of the American Presidents of most interest to young readers, but many favorite stories of early American history have to do with adventure, exploration, and invention rather than politics.

LINCOLN DISCUSSING STRATEGY WITH GRANT.

The United States were founded during the heydays of the industrial revolution, and the spirit of invention was part of American culture from its earliest years. Many of the American histories featured in the Young Readers collection include stories of inventors such as Eli Whitney (cotton gin), Robert Fulton (steam ship), and Samuel Morse (telegraph). The age of invention continued throughout the 19th century, with the introduction of canals, cross country railroads, agricultural equipment, the telephone, and Thomas Edison's light bulb. By turn of the 20th century, the automobile had been invented, telephones were common, and airplanes were just around the corner.

Explorers and early settlers were just as important to the American experience as inventors, and their stories are just as exciting to young readers. Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, and Buffalo Bill, were only a few of hundreds of American pioneers. James' Otis' Colonial Children series is a wonderful introduction to American pioneer life and features the stories of children who settled western territories, as well as the original colonies.

In terms of conflicts, the American Civil War was by far the most important war in early American history and it involves many stories and characters of interest to younger students. Pratt's American History Stories—Volume IV, covers the civil war in age-appropriate detail, and a simplified version of Uncle Tom's Cabin is also available to help younger students understand the problems with slavery. Short stories from other conflicts, such as the War of 1812, the Texas War of Independence, and the Mexican American War are mentioned in several books intended for children, but none are covered in as much detail as the Civil War.

The Heritage Classical Curriculum, because it draws on history books written prior to 1923, only deals with American History until the close of World War I. This, however, is a suitable break point, since the progressive philosophy of government ushered in at that time fundamentally changed the nature of American government.

Most of the Young Reader Study Questions that relate to Early American history are taken from America First by Evans, the third and fourth volumes of the American History Stories series by Pratt, and selections from Baldwin's Famous Stories series.

Character/Date	Short Biography
Early Republic
Daniel Boone 1734–1820	Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap.
Thomas Jefferson 1743–1826	Third President. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Founder of Democrat-Republican Party.
Eli Whitney 1765–1825	Inventor of the Cotton Gin, and also interchangeable parts for rifles.
Andrew Jackson 1767–1845	Hero of the Battle of New Orleans, President of U.S., and founder of Democratic Party.
Merriwether Lewis 1774–1809	With William Clark, followed the Missouri river to its source, crossed the Rockies and followed the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.
William Clark 1770–1838	Led an expedition up the Missouri River, map-making, gathering information, and looking for a passage to the Pacific Ocean.
Davy Crockett 1786–1836	Tennessee Frontiersman and congressman. Involved with Texas independence. Died at the Alamo.
Sam Houston 1793–1863	Founder of the state of Texas, and first governor.
Tecumseh 1768–1813	Shawnee Hero. Tried to unify tribes against the colonists. Fought for Britain during War of 1812.
Civil War and After
Abraham Lincoln 1809–1865	President of the United States during the American Civil War.
Robert E. Lee 1807–1870	General of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Stonewall Jackson 1824–1863	Leading Confederate General of the American Civil War, especially notable at Bull Run. Died at Chancellorsville.
Ulysses Grant 1822–1885	Commander and Chief of the Union forces in the Civil War, and President of the United States.
William Sherman 1822–1885	American Civil War General. Marched "From Atlanta to the Sea."
Clara Barton 1821–1912	Civil War Nurse and Humanitarian. Founder of the American Red Cross.
Alexander Graham Bell 1847–1922	Inventor of the telephone, and also a founder of a school for the deaf.
Thomas Edison 1847–1931	Prolific inventor, responsible for improvements in the light bulb, movies, phonograph, and many others.
Booker T. Washington 1856–1915	Former slave who became an Important leader of newly freed negroes. Emphasised education, job training, clean-living, and self-help.
Theodore Roosevelt 1858–1919	Progressive Republican who served as the 26th President of the United States.
Wilber and Orville 1871–1948	Inventors of the first practical airplane. The Wright brothers were self-educated bicycle shop owners.

AD Year	Event
1783	States ratify the Constitution—George Washington elected first President.
1793	Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin
1804	Lewis and Clark explore the Louisiana Purchase.
1812-14	War of 1812—first major military conflict since Revolution.
1829	Andrew Jackson, and Indian fighter, becomes first "commoner" president.
1836	Battle of the Alamo, Texas wins its independence from Mexico.
1837	Samuel Morse invents the Telegraph.
1846	Mexican American War, Mexico cedes California, Arizona and New Mexico to U.S.
1849	Gold found in California, Westward expansion begins.
1861-65	American Civil War, Battle of Gettysburg, Emancipation Proclamation.
1869	First Transcontinental Railroad completed
1877	Last Major Indian battle, Chief Joseph surrenders to U.S. army.
1879	Thomas Edison invents the light bulb.
1898-99	Spanish American War—Spain looses Cuba and the Philippines to the U.S.
1917	United States becomes involved in World War I

Book Title	Selected Chapters (# chapters)
Eggleston - Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans	Daniel Boone and His Swing to The Author of "Little Women" (27)
Evans - America First	Nolichucky Jack to Sergeant York (50)
Eggleston - Stories of American Life and Adventure	The River Pirates to Adventures in Alaska (14)
Hamilton - Story of Abraham Lincoln	entire book
Pratt - American History Stories—Volume III.	entire book
Pratt - American History Stories—Volume IV	entire book
Marshall - Uncle Tom's Cabin Told to the Children	entire book
Otis Kaler - Seth of Colorado	entire book
Otis Kaler - Hannah of Kentucky	entire book
Otis Kaler - Philip of Texas	entire book
Otis Kaler - Benjamin of Ohio	entire book
Otis Kaler - Martha of California	entire book
Otis Kaler - Antoine of Oregon	entire book