REFERENCE MAPS The States of the Union (at present) Physical Map of the United States Early Voyages to America French and Indian War, showing Chain of French Forts, 1754, The United States, 1783; State Claims to Western Lands 190 Territorial Development of the Continental United States, 1776-1866 567 ESSENTIALS IN AMERICAN HISTORY CHAPTER I. FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN HISTORY 1. Dawn of American WHERE does American History begin? The true fathers of America are the men of various European countries, especially of England, who, three centuries ago, had the courage to voyage unknown seas, and the persistence to plant colonies across the ocean. They brought with them the religion, language, laws, and methods of government to which their ancestors were accustomed; and hence the early history of America was really a part of European history; the first American colonists were simply Spaniards, Portuguese, or Frenchmen in America; and the English settlers who, to better their condition, removed over seas, looked upon themselves as still a part of the English people. When that bond was broken by the Revolution of 1775, the United States became at once one of the family of civilized nations; and by commerce, by the immigration of foreigners, by the sharing of the world's literatures, by interchange of inventions and principles of government, our history has always been inextricably connected with that of Europe. history 2. Spirit of enlarge The discovery of America was a result in great part of that new spirit of interest in the past, and curiosity about the world, which we call the Renaissance. When, about the year 1300, men began to go back to the beauty and power of ancient writers and the ancient works of art, interest in nature and the desire to know her secrets sprang up again with passionate force. Hence, when a new commercial route to India was needed, men were willing to take great ment risks, to penetrate into the unknown western ocean, and to explore a land as yet undreamed of. A new spirit speedily showed itself in improvements in navigation, and especially in two inventions (both previously known in China) which helped discovery and exploration: (1) gunpowder, perhaps discovered in Europe by Roger Bacon, and first used in war about 1350, enabled the invaders of America to beat the savages; (2) printing with movable types, probably first used by Gutenberg in 1450, served to spread the fame of the new world. The art of navigation was steadily advancing. Sea-going ships had keels and single rudders, were fitted with heavy 3. Seafar ing spars and square sails, and for defense from the seas and from enemies were provided with high bulwarks, forecastles, and aftercastles. There was little distinction between merchantmen and war ships: in time of war the trader took on a few more guns and men and became a fighting cruiser. Naval science was immensely aided by four inventions, which by 1450 were widely used: (1) The wondrous art of sailing on the wind, discovered by the Norsemen, gave confidence to men on long voyages. (2) The magnetic compass was a guide far out of sight of land, and when the stars were not visible. (3) The astrolabe enabled the mariner roughly to estimate his distance from the equator. (4) The portolano, or sea chart, assembled what was known about the seas and coasts. SHIP OF ABOUT 1450. From a drawing ascribed to Columbus. The prelude to American history was the attempt to establish new relations between Europe and Asia. In 1450 Europe 4. Europe and the had no direct intercourse by sea with India, China, and Japan; Where were Europeans thenceforward to get the carpets and the silks, the pearls and the cotton goods, the sweet white powder that men called sugar, the gums, and the pepper that sometimes sold for its weight in gold dust? One European, Marco Polo, actually crossed Asia and BATTLE OF JAPANESE AND CHINESE IN MARCO POLO'S TIME. From an ancient Japanese drawing. East |