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Following is the cover page of issue #20

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INDEX

Issue No.	Dates	Summary
0	EXTRA!	This special issue welcomes the 21st century and equates readers as pioneers of the future just as those we will study were pioneers of our past. The focus is on dates, time, and the definition of 'history.'
1	to 1497	It is doubtful that any explorer who came to the Western Hemisphere before the end of the 15th century believed he had discovered a 'new world.' Rather, it appears each thought he had found an outer island of the Indies. In this issue we summarize these earliest explorations and establish a base for our continuing study.
2	1497-1521	In the first years of the 16th century it became clear that a previously unknown continent had been encountered by voyagers seeking a new route to India. In fact, two continents posed an impenetrable barrier to such navigation. Yet many more attempts would be made in search of a passage across this barrier before the whole truth would be evident. Yet through the end of this issue, no major colonial settlements existed on the mainland of either of the two 'new' continents.
3	1521-1541	During this period we see the first major attempts to colonize portions of the Americas. The varying responses of the natives and the varying behavior of the Europeans contribute to growing tension between peoples. While gold motivates the conquistadors and souls motivate the missionaries, the greatest effort is still directed at finding a passage across the continents in order to sail to India.
4	1541-1570	Three figures dominate our study during this period of history in America. They are De Soto, Coronado, and Cabrillo. They represent exploration in three regions of our country: the southeast, central, and west. Soon we will see how three Americas were emerging, a Spanish, a French, and an English, but to this point, the English have not been a serious player. We also learn more about America as it was and see the factors that led to the first American colonies.
5	1570-1607	The American Indians were our nation's first inhabitants. The principal objective of this issue is to acquaint the student with these first Americans and to teach a few constructive principles of ethnic origins. One popular term for this is culture. We introduce that term and study something of its meaning. This will be expanded in future issues to a broader appreciation of cultural differences and customs and to other races and people groups.
6	1607-1634	The study of colonial beginnings is the principle goal of this issue. In the process we will lay the foundation for colonial incursions in pursuit of farms, ranches, and communities in America's interior. We see how this also relates to the development of conflicts among colonial powers and Indian nations. We examine 'basic necessities' and explore our own priorities and their social and moral implications.
7	1634-1664	As the first probes deep into America's middle reveal rich woodlands, prairies, and wildlife, we examine the character and culture of its native inhabitants. This leads to a logical exercise in colonial planning as we examine what we need in order to have a successful settlement.
8	1664-1699	Three new cultures are appearing in the New World: Spain, France, and England. A fourth has been here all along. The conflicts which will result are followed by more than 150 years of contention over the land now known as America. In this issue we study the entrance of the third of these cultures, the French. We will see some similarities but we will also begin to see critical differences that would affect our nation.
9	1699-1730	The principal objective of this issue is to study and appreciate our varied American geography. We will discuss a few ways in which it affects us, then we will define many terms common to geography. In the course of the study, we particularly want the students to identify the geographic character and features in their area and recognize its impact on them.
10	1730-1763	The three Americas we have studied have coexisted in North America for 240 years. In spite of the space and freedom they know, tensions are developing. Now even a fourth America appears. The English colonials have begun to penetrate the Appalachian barrier. The French and Indian residents are disturbed. They fear the possibility of English colonial expansion.
11	1763-1770	In this issue we focus on the final events leading to the Revolutionary War. The events which precede the revolution provide an excellent illustration of how things can work together to produce unexpected results. They show how events build one upon another, sometimes exaggerating their importance beyond reason. It is a time of coming together unlike any ever before seen in history.
12	1770-1775	The final events preceding the Revolution are taught in this issue. These primarily include the 'Intolerable Acts' that led to riots and resistance, then a full-blown war. In this context we take a special look at 'cause and effect' and try to learn how things lead one to another and can finally get completely out of hand.
13	1775-1778	From the seeds of unrest and distrust sewn through events before 1775 emerges a revolution like none other in history, a successful war of independence giving birth to a new and 'free' nation. In this issue we see that war in its first three years.
14	1778-1781	The Revolutionary War is the dominant theme of this issue as we study the events following the winter at Valley Forge and up to the war's end at Yorktown. Our focus is on the less popular events of the frontier and the continuing campaign that sets the final stage. The scope of the war is better seen by recognizing the actions included from the Mississippi River frontier to the coastal waters of England.
15	1781-1787	The Battle of Yorktown is the beginning of the end for England in America. In this issue we study the last battles and the treaty that officially recognizes American independence. Yet many questions remain, particularly regarding the exact status of the 'united' states. The new union only occupies a small part of the future United States. We also study life in Spanish America and the missions established there.
16	1787-1803	America became an independent nation by winning the Revolutionary War, but it was only the first step toward achieving permanence. This issue focuses on the Constitutional Convention, the conflicts it confronted, and the document it produced. We examine the main components of our constitution, follow it through ratification, and identify the first thirteen colonies, now states, and the three added soon afterward.
17	1803-1811	The Louisiana Purchase doubled the area of the young nation and created a whole new frontier even beyond that of the Ohio Valley. Seizing on this theme, we study many elements of frontier exploration and consider the transportation needs that came with it.
18	1811-1816	The rapid increase in migration westward and glowing tales of fertile land to be farmed soon aggravates the tenuous peace with midwestern Indians. A new war is brewing with England as that nation aids rebel Indians in their efforts to keep the white man at bay. As the war erupts, we study problems of the time, at sea and on land, and the major battles and strategies of that war.
19	1816-1825	Though the War of 1812 has ended, Indian conflicts continue. The persistent influx of settlers is bringing admission of new states. Indian unrest is increasing. Tension is growing over slave versus free state status of the new states. The Missouri Compromise is proposed to resolve this difficulty. Meanwhile, Mexico has gained independence from Spain and opened its northern border to colonists in Texas.
20	1825-1836	Two major themes are studied in this issue: First, the transportation needs of the growing nation are viewed with opening of the Erie Canal. In that context we study 'internal improvements' and the workings of canals. Second, as the frontier continues drawing the adventurous westward, we study the mountain men and steps taken to protect and extend their efforts as well as settlement in general.
21	1836-1848	Tensions which develop in Texas lead to rebellion there and in California. A national spirit of expansionism is rising, soon called 'Manifest Destiny,' and now even California is being seen as 'American' by divine right. Many want war with Mexico and some even want a conquest of that nation as part of America's expansion. War soon does come, and America gains the modern day region occupied by California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
22	1848-1854	In this issue we study gold, California's metallic gold, that is. (One can only wonder what might have been had gold been discovered before America's war with Mexico brought in this new state.) Addition of so much new land far west of the Mississippi is continuing to draw new settlers and produce new petitions for statehood. The fragile balance of free-slave states is becoming a practical impossibility. Our study focuses on this and the growing force of 'abolition.'
23	1854-1860	A combination of events is drawing America rapidly toward civil war. At the heart of the issue is slavery, but the precise issue is "states' rights." The southern states claim they have the right to continue the legal practice of slavery while northern states claim this for the federal government. In this issue we study the alternate views. A factor in events that follow is the emerging frontier spirit especially as dramatized in a young Abraham Lincoln. With that in mind, we also study life on the frontier and principles of the frontier community.
24	1860-1865	Lincoln's election was the last straw for the South and the Civil War followed quickly upon South Carolina's secession in 1860. This issue is devoted to the war, but it can only be addressed in summary in our study. Key elements included deal with the strategies of each side, the effects upon slavery, the rise of two monumental figures in leadership (Grant & Lee) and the remarkable role of women. We end as Sherman marches upon the sea.
25	1865-1876	The Northern victory in the Civil War resolved two key issues: the status of slavery, and the relative rights of state versus federal government. It did not resolve ideas of racial or ethnic superiority. It also left the nation with a new and overwhelming challenge: healing the torn fiber of the union and assimilating thousands of newly freed slaves.
26	1876-1892	With pioneer wagons streaming west, the end of the Indian era was at hand. In this issue we study two symbolic tragedies: Custer's fall at the Little Big Horn and the massacre at Wounded Knee 14 years later. But the end of one age really was the dawn of another. Electricity was now being generated and used to carry messages and light homes. The industrial era in America was at hand. This means a new focus on energy sources and labor to run the factories. Aren't both of these among our greatest natural resources?
27	1892-1915	As the twentieth century dawned, America's world leadership in industry and invention was increasingly evident. While the world's first automobile was not an American invention, it was 'Yankee ingenuity' that made it what it soon became: a family necessity! Thus, this issue develops the study of modern American industries including auto, oil, steel, and railroading. But it also the age of greatest immigration. We study Ellis Island and the thousands who came looking for a new start in this free land.
28	1915-1929	The new century brought with it new international tensions. Nations were becoming more competitive and less understanding. Territorial conflicts soon engulfed the world in a "great war" In this issue we meet that war and study some of its repercussions. Indeed, the greatest impact on the U.S. was in these later effects. We see them in a temporary age of prosperity and hedonism. But will it last? (The answer, of course, is no.)
29	1929-1941	The repercussions of America's hedonism surfaced in the form of the "Great Depression." Everything was soon depressed! The collapse of the stock market meant collapse of the economy and it became a global collapse. Added to the economic disaster was a terrible natural disaster: drought. Another new term defined an American crisis, "Dust Bowl." This issue observes not only these disasters, but American resilience and the way most Americans dealt with them.
30	1941-1954	The greatest and most brutal conflict ever to encompass our globe now came home to America. World War II was largely a product of racism and, as such, enables us to introduce that study. It was also the face-off of three diametrically opposed political systems: fascism, communism, and democracy. In this issue we briefly view the conflict, the outcome, and the new world crisis that emerged.
31	1954-1969	Post-war America faced an even greater challenge when, in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional. It was the beginning of yet another era in American history:. In this issue we focus on the people and events who figured most. But we also see another picture. It is an America challenged to action in space and world affairs. War in Vietnam with little public support, dreams of racial tolerance, and space exploration dominate our study.
32	Since 1969	To a large extent, America answered the challenges of the previous period. Aggressive effort brought Americans to the moon. Changed political philosophy ended the war in Vietnam. Major inroads were made in a war against poverty and prejudice. However, a new crisis emerged: the energy crisis. New adversaries emerged as old ones faded. The cold war ended and a terrorist war began. We look at these only briefly as we focus our greatest concern on the future of all Americans.

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