U.S. History For Dummies, 5th Edition (+ Chapter Quizzes Online)

by Steve Wiegand

Overview

Explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the United States history

Looking for the essentials of more than 200 years of United States history? Starting at the early civilizations, U.S. History For Dummies covers the growing pains of a new nation. Brush up on the major wars, from fighting against each other to fighting the world. And discover the major people and events that shaped the country. Stay in the know, with coverage of timely topics like climate change, Covid, and the January 6th Capitol riot. Then, when you're ready, challenge yourself with free online chapter quizzes. With history covering the start of the U.S. to the 2024 election, learn how this nation came to be what it is today.

• Read engaging accounts of the major events in the history of the United States
• Learn about important historical figures who shaped the nation
• Discover the background of the big issues that Americans face
• Explore important wars and iconic cultural moments
• FREE 1-year access to chapter quizzes online!

Whether you're a history buff eager to delve into the history of the United States or a student searching for a guide to help them with their studies, U.S. History For Dummies has you covered with clear, easy-to-understand information.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394324736
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/08/2025
Edition description:	5th ed.
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Steve Wiegand is an award-winning political journalist and history writer. Over a 35-year career, he worked as a reporter and columnist at the San Diego Evening Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and Sacramento Bee. He is the author or coauthor of 10 books dealing with various aspects of U.S. and world history.

Read an Excerpt

Click to read or download

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 

Part 1: America’s Birth and Toddler Years 5 

Chapter 1: America: A Short Biography 7 

Chapter 2: American Indians and Explorers: 21,000 BCE (?) –1607 21 

Chapter 3: Pilgrims’ Progress: The English Colonies, 1607–1700 37 

Chapter 4: You Say You Want a Revolution: 1700–1775 49 

Chapter 5: Yankee Doodlin’: 1775–1783 65 

Chapter 6: Blueprints and Birth Pains: 1783–1800 79 

Part 2: Growing Pains 91 

Chapter 7: “Long Tom” and One Weird War: 1800–1815 93 

Chapter 8: Pulling Together to Keep from Falling Apart: 1815–1844 109 

Chapter 9: War, Gold, and a Gathering Storm: 1845–1860 129 

Chapter 10: A Most Uncivil War: 1861–1865 143 

Chapter 11: Putting the Country Back Together: 1865–1876 157 

Part 3: Coming of Age 167 

Chapter 12: Growing Up: 1876–1898 169 

Chapter 13: Stepping Up as a World Power: 1899–1918 183 

Chapter 14: Gin, Jazz, and Lucky Lindy: 1919–1929 197 

Chapter 15: Uncle Sam’s Depressed: 1930–1940 211 

Chapter 16: The World at War: 1941–1945 225 

Part 4: America in Adulthood 241 

Chapter 17: TV, Elvis, and Reds Under the Bed: 1946–1960 243 

Chapter 18: Camelot to Watergate: 1961–1974 259 

Chapter 19: Hold the Malaise, or Ayatollah So: 1975–1992 275 

Chapter 20: No Sex, Please, I’m the President: 1993–1999 289 

Part 5: Nearing Our Semiquincentennial 301 

Chapter 21: Terror Comes Home; America Goes to War(s) 303 

Chapter 22: Recessions Can Be Really Depressing 315 

Chapter 23: Reforming Healthcare Is No Tea Party 327 

Chapter 24: America Disagrees with Itself 341 

Chapter 25: Stormy Weather 353 

Chapter 26: This New America 371 

Part 6: The Part of Tens 389 

Chapter 27: Ten Innovations That Made It Easier to Be Lazy 391 

Chapter 28: Ten Events That Helped Shape American Culture 397 

Part 7: The Appendixes 403 

Appendix A: The Bill of Rights: Amendments 1–10 of the Constitution 405 

Appendix B: The Declaration of Independence 409 

Index 413