United States History

What should we say about the United States of America? So much has already been said, adding our two cents is a bit redundant or presumptuous, depending on your perspective. Certainly, no one needs us to outline the facts, the major events and figures, or to describe our unique written Constitution and democratic-republican system.

We can offer a bit of perspective. It's nothing new, nothing we came up with on our own, but it is different from a lot of the prevailing notions about both history in general and our nation in particular.

For starters, there's no specific reference to the U.S. in the Bible. The principles found in God's Word that apply to all nations certainly apply to the United States as well, but we aren't a Christian nation, we don't hold a special place in biblical prophecy, and Manifest Destiny is the result of Enlightenment rationalist views about the Progress of Mankind rather than being rooted in any kind of Christian attitude.

That said, many of the first settlers of the New World were dedicated Christians seeking the right to worship God without the constraints of political entanglement or government-imposed strictures and doctrine. The Pilgrims came in 1620, just 13 years after the first successful English settlement at Jamestown, and the Puritan settlers followed soon after.

Their arrivals and colonization didn't make America Christian, of course. It was a broad continent, largely unknown, and the initial colonies weren't strictly bound together at first, as they were later to become. By that time, things had become substantially more secular, so that by the 18th century many Americans were just as degenerate as their European counterparts. Fortunately, men like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were around to preach the true Gospel, and to initiate a revival known as the Great Awakening.

Secular forces were still at work, though. While there were definitely many Christians involved, the American Revolution was largely the result of Enlightenment philosophizing, and men were convinced that America could produce a virtuous and stable population if education and participatory government were enforced. So they rebelled against England, and the United States republic was formed.

Ever since, groups and individuals have tried to call Americans back to their Christian roots. That's the wrong strategy: we don't need to call anyone back to anything, we need to point the way forward to the pursuit of Christ and the bringing of His Gospel and glory to every corner of the earth no matter what our country of origin. That America has been so materially blessed simply means we have more options at our disposal for proclaiming and bringing the Word to the rest of the world.

Our study of United States history is consequently Christ-centered. Not because we think America is more Christian than other countries, but because it (like all other nations) is under Christ's control as King of Heaven and Lord of Time. Of course, you shouldn't abandon study of the facts, people and events, but they only attain true meaning when viewed through the lens of Christ's ultimate plan of redemption and self-glorification.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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Active Filters: 2nd grade (Ages 7-8), In-Stock Books & Materials
18 Penny Goose
An I Can Read Book Level 3
by Sally M. Walker
from HarperCollins
Realistic fiction for 2nd-4th grade
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A is for Abigail
by Lynne Cheney
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A Weed Is a Flower
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Reprint from Aladdin Paperbacks
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ABC Book of Early Americana
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2012 Dover from Dover Publications
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$10.95
Abe's Honest Words
by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
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Above the Trenches
by Nathan Hale
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Abraham Lincoln
A Rookie Biography
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$3.00 (1 in stock)
Abraham Lincoln - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
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from Dover Publications
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$5.99
Acadia National Park
Road Trip: National Parks
by Kathleen Connors
from Gareth Stevens Publishing
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$3.00 (1 in stock)
Across America, I Love You
by Christine Loomis, illustrated by Kate Kiesler
from Hyperion Press
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$7.99 (1 in stock)
Adventures of Munford: The American Revolution
by Jamie Aramini
1st edition from Geography Matters
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$5.00 (1 in stock)
AIO Imagination Station Book #06
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$7.99
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by Marianne Hering, Marshal Younger
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by Marianne Hering & Sheila Seifert
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by Marianne Hering & Sheila Seifert
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$7.99
Airplanes of the Second World War - Coloring Book
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Airplanes of World War I - Coloring Book
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Algonquin
by Natalie M. Rosinsky
from Compass Point Books
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Alvin Ailey
by Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
from Hyperion Books for Children
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$4.50 (1 in stock)
America in the Time of Abraham Lincoln
by Sally Senzell Isaacs
from Heinemann Library
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
America is....
by Louise W. Borden, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
from Margaret K. McElderry Books
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
America the Beautiful
by Katharine Lee Bates, illustrated by Chris Gall
from Little, Brown & Company
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$3.50 (1 in stock)
America's First Ladies - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Leslie Franz
Revised Edition from Dover Publications
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$5.99
America's Paul Revere
by Esther Forbes
from Sandpiper Books
Biography for 2nd-6th grade
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$12.99
America: A Patriotic Primer
by Lynne Cheney
from Simon and Schuster
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$4.00 (2 in stock)
America: A Patriotic Primer
by Lynne Cheney
from Scholastic Inc.
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
American History for Young Students I
by Michelle Miller
from TruthQuest History
History Curriculum for 1st-5th grade
in TruthQuest History (Location: HISCUR-TQ)
$17.50 (1 in stock)
American History for Young Students II
by Michelle Miller
from TruthQuest History
History Curriculum for 1st-5th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
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$17.50 (1 in stock)
American History for Young Students III
by Michelle Miller
from TruthQuest History
History Curriculum for 1st-6th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
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$29.95
American Milestones: The U. S. Constitution (September 17, 1787)
by Carole Marsh
from Gallopade International
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
American Milestones: World War II (1939-1945)
by Carole Marsh
from Gallopade International
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American Presidents - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
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American Revolution for Kids
by Janis Herbert
1st edition from Chicago Review Press
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$8.00 (1 in stock)
Amistad - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
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from Dover Publications
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$3.95
And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?
by Jean Fritz & Margot Tomes
from PaperStar Books
Biography for 2nd-4th grade
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Angel Knew Papa and the Dog
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Antique Airplanes - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
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Antique Locomotives - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
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$4.99
Apples to Oregon
by Deborah Hopkinson
Reprint from Aladdin Paperbacks
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$8.99
Aquila's Drinking Gourd
by Pamela Dell
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Bad River Boys
by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
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Baseball Saved Us
by Ken Mochizuki
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$11.95
Ben and Me
by Robert Lawson
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Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade
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Ben Franklin
See and Read: Beginning to Read Biography
by Estelle Friedman, illustrated by James Caraway
from G.P. Putnam's Sons
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$12.00 (1 in stock)
Benjamin Franklin
Makers of America
by Ruth Cromer Weir, illustrated by Rus Anderson
from Abingdon Press
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$6.00 (1 in stock)
Benjamin Franklin Lap-Pak
by Amy Pak
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$12.00
Benjamin in the Woods
Wonder Books Easy Reader
by Eleanor Clymer, illustrated by William Russell
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Beyond the Ridge
by Paul Goble
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Bill of Rights in Translation
by Amie Jane Leavitt
from Capstone Press
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Blast Back!: The Civil Rights Movement
by Nancy Ohlin, illustrated by Roger Simo
from Scholastic Inc.
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Boxes for Katje
by Candace Fleming
1st edition from Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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$19.99
Brooklyn Bridge
by Elizabeth Mann
from Mikaya Press
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Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
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Buffalo Bird Girl
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Buttons for General Washington
by Peter & Connie Roop
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By the Dawn's Early Light
by Steven Kroll
from Scholastic Inc.
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Calico Bush
by Rachel Field, illustrated by Allen Lewis
from Macmillan
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$7.00 (1 in stock)
Camping Trip that Changed America
by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
from Dial Books for Young Readers
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Captive Treasure
by Milly Howard
from Bob Jones University Press
Realistic Fiction for 2nd-5th grade
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Cassie's Journey
by Brett Harvey; illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
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Cavalier and Puritan Fashions - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Tom Tierney
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Chang's Paper Pony
An I Can Read Book Level 3
by Eleanor Coerr
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Chang's Paper Pony
An I Can Read Book Level 3
by Eleanor Coerr, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure
Green Notebook Series
by Ken Ham, Karen Hansel
from Master Books
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$14.39 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Cherokee: The Past and Present of a Proud Nation
American Indian Life
by Danielle Smith-Llera
from Capstone Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Native American History (Location: HISA-19NAT)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Child's Day
Historic Communities
by Bobbie Kalman & Tammy Everts
from Crabtree Publishing
for 1st-7th grade
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$5.00 (1 in stock)
Children of the Dust Bowl
by Jerry Stanley
from Crown Publishers
for 2nd-5th grade
1993 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
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$10.99
Children of the Earth and Sky
by Stephen Krensky, Illustrated by James Watling
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-3rd grade
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$1.50 (1 in stock)
Chooch Helped
by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
from Levine Querido
for Preschool-2nd grade
2025 Caldecott Medalist, American Indian Youth Literature Award
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$19.99
Choosing Brave
by Angela Joy, illustrated by Janelle Washington
from Roaring Brook Press
for 1st-4th grade
2023 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$19.99
Choppers!
Step into Reading Level 4
by Susan E. Goodman
from Random House
for Grades 2-3
in Step into Reading (Location: EAR-STEP)
$5.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Christmas on the Prairie
by Joan. Anderson
from Clarion Books
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$8.00 (1 in stock)
Christopher Columbus
by Elaine Murray Stone
500 Anv from Tyndale House
Biography for Preschool-3rd Grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.50 (1 in stock)
Civil War Artist
by Taylor Morrison
from HMH Books for Young Readers
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in American Civil War Era (1850-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Civil War Fashions - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Tom Tierney
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Costume & Fashion Coloring Books (Location: COL-FAS)
$5.99
Civil War Paper Soldiers in Full Color
by A. G. Smith
from Dover Publications
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$6.00 (1 in stock)
Civil War Uniforms - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Peter F. Copeland
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in History of America Coloring Books (Location: COL-HISA)
$4.99
Clara Barton: Amazing Civil War Nurse
Amazing Americans
by Mary Dodson Wade
from Enslow
for 1st-3rd grade
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$5.00 (1 in stock)
Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: New World
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$28.20 $17.50 (2 in stock)
Cold War Correspondent
by Nathan Hale
from Amulet Books
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$15.99
Colonial America
by Donald M. Silver, Patricia J. Wynne
from Scholastic Inc.
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in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Colonial America Cooperative Learning Activities
from Scholastic Inc.
for 1st-4th grade
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$2.00 (1 in stock)
Colonial and Early American Fashions - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Tom Tierney
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Costume & Fashion Coloring Books (Location: COL-FAS)
$5.99
Colonial People: The Silversmith
by Wil Mara
from Marshall Cavendish Education
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in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Colonial Times 1600-1700
by Joy Masoff
from Scholastic Inc.
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in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$1.00 (2 in stock)
Colonial Town: Williamsburg
by Bobbie Kalman
Revised from Crabtree Publishing
for 1st-8th grade
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Coloring Book of American Indians
from Bellerophon Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in Native American Coloring Books (Location: COL-NAM)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Coloring Book of Incas, Aztecs & Mayas
from Bellerophon Books
for 1st-5th grade
in Ancient America (Location: HISW-ANAM)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Coloring Book of the Civil War
from Bellerophon Books
for 2nd-6th grade
in American Civil War Era (1850-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
$2.50 (2 in stock)
Columbus
by Edgar & Ingri D'Aulaire
First BCE from Doubleday & Company
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$35.00 (1 in stock)
Columbus Discovers America - Coloring Book
by Peter F. Copeland
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in History of America Coloring Books (Location: COL-HISA)
$4.99
Columbus: The Triumphant Failure
by Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell
from Franklin Watts
for 2nd-5th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Coming On Home Soon
by Jacqueline Woodson
1st edition from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Cora Frear
by Susan E. Goodman
from Aladdin Paperbacks
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.50 (2 in stock)
Corrie Ten Boom: Shining in the Darkness
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
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