Barnes's school history of the United States : being a revision of A brief history of the United States

Preface

The wide and constant use which has been accorded to Barnes's Brief History of the United States, for more than thirty years and in all parts of the country, proves that it possesses in an eminent degree those qualities of style and arrangement which adapt a school text-book for practical class work and make it popular as a teaching tool.

But since it was published the acts of a new generation have added momentous chapters to the story of our national life. Within this period the industrial and financial center of the world has crossed the Atlantic to our shores, and the United States has attained acknowledged preeminence among the world powers of the earth. Within this period, too, there has been a gradual but constant shifting of the point of view from which the history of a country is regarded, and of the methods employed m teaching it. Descriptions of battles and of the movements of armies have come to be considered of less importance, and the social condition and industries of the people of far greater importance, than they formerly were ; and even in the grammar school the pupil is expected to pursue a longer or shorter course of collateral reading in history outside of his text-book.

In order that these modified views of history and the method of teaching it might be incorporated into the Barnes's History, the thorough revision resulting in the present volume was undertaken.

In this revision a consistent effort has been made to retain those features of the older book which gave it its extraordinary popularity: its main division into epochs; its topical arrangement ; its interesting footnotes containing collateral facts, minor

6 PREFACE

events, and brief biographies; and, most important of all, the fascinating literary style of Dr. Steele. Indeed, his language has been retained throughout the greater portion of the book, and in all cases where it conformed to the latest and best historical authorities, witli which the entire work has been rigorously compared. In the present volume, however, the treatment of battles has been somewhat curtailed and greater prominence has been given to the life of the people and to the wonderful development of our industries. Carefully selected references for a brief course of collateral reading have been inserted at frequent intervals throughout the book, and in the appendix is given a classified list of works from which further selections may be made as desired. New maps and pictures have been prepared and placed in close connection with the text which they illustrate.

The words which Dr. Steele used in 1871, in giving to the public the original edition of his history, aj)ply with equal force to the present revision :

'' This work is offered to American youth in the confident belief that as they study the wonderful history of their native land they will learn to prize their birthright more highly, and treasure it more carefully. Their pati'iotism must be kindled when they come to see how slowly, yet how gloriously, this tree of liberty has grown, what storms have wrenched its boughs, what sweat of toil and blood lias moistened its roots, what eager eyes have watched every out-springing bud, what brave hearts have defended it, loving it even unto death. A heritage thus sanctified by the heroism and devotion of the fathers can not but elicit the choicest care and tenderest love of the sons."

Esther Baker Steele.

Elmira, N. Y., February, 1903.

Contents

PAGE

Introduction

The Northmen 15

Epochsof American History ... 16

Epoch I. Early Discoveries and Explorations

Europe in the Fifteenth Century' . 19

Columbus 21

How America was Named .... 26

The Cahots . 27

French Explorations Hi

Dutch Explorations ...... 46

Conflicting Claims 46

Epoch II. Development of the English Colonies

Maine and New Hampshire ... 66

Connecticut 67

Rhode Island 70

New York 71

New Jersey 75

Pennsylvania and Delaware ... 76

Maryland 79

The Carolinas 80

Georgia 84

Intercolonial Wars 86

Colonial Industries 114

Epoch III. The REvm.cTioNARr War

Causes 119

PAGE

Results of the War 160

The Constitution 164

Epoch IV. Development of the States (to 1861) Washington's Administration . . . 169

Adams's Administration 175

Jefferson's Administration .... 176 Madison's Acffiiinisti'ation .... 183

Monroe's Administration .... 196 John Quincy Adams's Administration 201

Jackson's Administration .... 203 Van Buren's Administration . . .208 Harrison and Tyler's Administration 210

James K. Polk's Administratioc . 215

War with Mexico 215

Taylor and Fillmore's Administration 223

Pierce's Administration 225

Buchanan's Administration . . . 230 Society before the Civil War . . .235

Epoch V, The Civil War. Lincoln's Administration

CONTENTS

PAGE

Epoch VI. Development of the Nation (since 1865) Johnson's Administration . . . .312

Grant's Administration 317

Hayes's Administration 324

(Jarficld and Arthur's Administration 320

Tlie War with Spain 341

PAGE

Ree<'nt Events $69