History of the United States

The study and account of the United States’ past, from Indigenous societies and European colonization through the country’s later development.

American Revolution: The colonial rebellion that established the independence of the United States from Great Britain. The independence struggle created the republic whose later history this field examines.
Indigenous peoples of the Americas: The diverse peoples whose societies developed across the Americas before and after European colonization. Their histories long predate the United States and continued through its expansion.
European colonization of the Americas: The establishment of European empires and settlements across the Americas from the late fifteenth century onward. Colonial rule laid the groundwork for the societies that preceded the United States.
George Washington: The commander of the Continental Army and first president of the United States. His military leadership and presidency helped establish national authority.
American exceptionalism: The belief that the United States has a distinctive political character or historical mission. It contrasts celebratory national narratives with histories emphasizing conflict and exclusion.
United States Constitution: The 1787 framework of government for the United States, amended since its ratification. Its adoption established institutions that shaped conflicts over federal power and citizenship.
Thirteen Colonies: The British colonies on North America’s Atlantic coast that declared independence in 1776 and formed the original United States. These colonies supplied the initial territory and institutions of the republic.
British colonization of the Americas: The settlement and governance of American territories by England and, later, Great Britain. British institutions and imperial policies shaped the mainland colonies that rebelled.
Thomas Jefferson: An American statesman who drafted the Declaration of Independence and served as the third president. His ideals of liberty coexisted with his ownership of enslaved people.
Manifest Destiny: The nineteenth-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America. This expansionist ideology framed territorial growth as national purpose.

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