Old world steps to American history

Preface

THIS book has been prepared by combining the author's two earlier vobames on " Great Names and Nations," Ancient and Modern. In the preface to the second volume it was stated:

" The idea that first lessons in history should be given in chronological order, is one that has gained strength in recent years. This study as usually pursued in our elementary schools begins and ends with our own country — a method which leaves the children profoundly ignorant of the rest of the world, and gives them the most erroneous ideas of the relative age and importance of the United States."

While a patriotic pride in the land of our birth is a most commendable quality, an arrogant selfsufficiency is as deplorable in nations as in men. It is highly desirable and entirely practicable to give children in our elementary schools, through storytelling and reading, some notion of the great actors in the world's history and of the beginnings of the great modern nations of which the United States is one. When the pupil has some understanding of " how the world has come to be known as we find it today," he is prepared to take up with fuller appreciation, the story of his own country.

To furnish this background for the study of American history is the purpose of the present volume. Especial attention has been given to the great leaders in the world's history and to the rise of the nations contemporary with the United States. The migrations of mankind from the earliest ages, and the great inventions and discoveries which have shaped the history of the world, have also been made prominent. In short, it has been our purpose to fully conform to the spirit and letter of the new " Course of Study in History " for the public schools.