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U.s. History: When Does the Revolution End?
An interesting discussion of the precepts of the Declaration of Independence which claimed that all men were created equal, but still allowed slavery. See what the document had to say about people's rights and "the consent of the governed."
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U.s. History: "Republican Motherhood"
Although brief, this article makes clear the change in the role and perception of women in the new United States. See why it was deemed important for women to have the chance to be educated.
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U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
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U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution
A look at how the ideals of the American Revolution shaped the new American Republic. Many ideals were not implemented immediately but the seed had been planted.
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U.s. History: The French Alliance
The surrender of General Burgoynne at Saratoga gave the French the assurance that the Continental Army had a fighting chance to beat the British. Read about early French help and the formal agreements signed between France and America.
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U.s. History: Washington at Valley Forge
The time spent at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 by the Continental Army was a turning point. Read first-hand about the terrible conditions at this winter encampment, but also see how the winter break in fighting helped make the army...
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U.s. History: Loyalists, Fence Sitters, and Patriots
Read about the war of propaganda the Patriots needed to wage in order to persuade the vast majority of Americans, who were at first ambivalent to the cause of independence, to support the ideals of the Revolutionary War.
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U.s. History: Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Read about the rhetorical touches Thomas Paine employed in his pamphlet, Common Sense, which galvanized colonial thought about actually breaking away from Mother England.
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U.s. History: Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was the die cast into the river of Revolution. Read about the decisions made and the actions taken in preparation for declaring independence.
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U.s. History: First Continental Congress
By 1774 the colonists had had enough of what they saw as British disrespect and lack of concern about their grievances. Read about the cooperation of the colonies in forming the First Continental Congress to address these issues.
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U.s. History: Committees of Correspondence
See how organization can be a stepping stone to freedom. Read about the actions and the reasons behind those actions of the Committees of Correspondence prior to the Revolutionary War.
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U.s. History: E Pluribus Unum
The fact that the Second Continental Congress convened was evidence that the colonists had had enough from the British Parliament. Read about the ways the colonies finally began to work together and focus on a common plan, resulting in...
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U.s. History: Native American Society on the Eve of British Colonization
This is a brief overview of the Native American cultures, languages, and diversity amont the many tribes that lived in North America prior to European contact.
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U.s. History: Historic Philadelphia: Philadelphia History
Reading through the beginning of this article will show the role shipping and ship building played in Philadelphia's economy.
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U.s. History: Historic Germantown: James Barron
A brief account of the encounter between the USS Chesapeake and the HMS Leopard. This page also explains Commodore James Barron's court martial after the incident with the Leopard.
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U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin: The New England Courant
Read all about it! Find copies of The New-England Courant published by James Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's older brother. You can also read about Ben Franklin's contribution to this colonial newspaper.
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U.s. History: Letter From Columbus
Text from a letter of Christopher Columbus announcing that he had discovered a new land.
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U.s. History: New England Colonies: Reaching to Connecticut
Read about how the colony of Connecticut grew from an expansion of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. See how Thomas Hooker's idea of government resulted in a model of colonial charters, and find out how two very different settlements in...
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U.s. History: Royal Proclamation of 1763
An explanation of the cause and effects of the Proclamation of 1763 along with the original text itself.
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U.s. History: The Tea Act and Tea Parties
Read the text of the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament primarily as a way to rescue the failing British East India Company. Find out about the colonists' reactions to this tax, and read a first-hand account of the Boston Tea Party.
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U.s. History: A Federalist Stronghold: John Marshall's Supreme Court
John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, but his decisions, especially in Marbury v Madison, set the influence of the Court for the next many decades. Read about Marshall's decisions and why they were so important.
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U.s. History: Hudson River School Artists
A discussion of the Americanization of painting in the early 1800s with the artists who were part of the Hudson River School of Art. Read about the new audience for their paintings and the subject matter.
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U.s. History: The Dred Scott Decision
Read the terms of the Dred Scott decision which determined that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. See why this decision was so controversial and completely unacceptable to the northerners, thus driving an additional wedge...
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U.s. History: African Americans in the British New World: The Middle Passage
A description of the Middle Passage, the leg of the triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa to America. Read descriptions of the way slaves were transported in the ships across the ocean.