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PART VII - HISTORY

LESSON I

AMERICA'S BACKGROUND

We have read in previous chapters of America's great wealth. We have read of its millions of people, and of the opportunities offered to all.

We think of America as one of the greatest countries in the world. Yet America is young, a mere child in age as compared with Europe, Asia, or Africa.

It is true that for hundreds of years before America was discovered, people lived out their lives in the Old World. Trade was carried on between different countries. Goods were bought, sold, and exchanged.

In fact, it was the desire to find a short trade route to India that led to the discovery of America.

It was the daring and skill of the navigators which enabled them to cross the unknown ocean.

America inherits much from the people of the Old World.

They have passed on to America great works of art. They have studied law and government and they brought this knowledge with them to America.

Our very language was used in Europe hundreds of years before it was spoken in America.

Many of our ideas and ideals had their beginning before America was founded.

The history you are about to read has been influenced greatly by all these things.

It has been influenced greatly by the love of liberty and truth, which has always lived in the hearts of men. It was this love of liberty and truth which gave the early settlers the courage to build a new nation.

In the following lessons you will learn how this new nation came to be.

You will also learn the main facts in American history from the early days down to the present time.

As we read these pages let us think of the brave men and women who came before us. And let us resolve to unite in making a bigger and better America.

Questions and Topics for Discussion

What was true in the Old World for hundreds of years before America was discovered?

What led to the discovery of America?

What enabled the navigators to cross the ocean?

What has America inherited from the people of the Old World?

What led the early settlers to come to America?

What enabled them to build a new nation?

How have these qualities influenced our history?
What may we do to make a better America?

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The first period in American history is called the Period

of Discovery.

At that time the people of Europe traded with India,

which is a country of Asia. The routes were long and dangerous.

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COLUMBUS

From the Bust at Pavia

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about finding a shorter and safer route to India.

Most people at that time thought the earth was flat. Only a few men believed it to be round.

Among these was Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor. Columbus believed that he could reach India by sailing westward across the Atlantic. He wanted to try.

He had been on many voyages, and had no fear of the unknown ocean.

But Columbus was poor. He had no money or ships. No one would help him.

Finally with the aid of the king and queen of Spain he fitted out three small vessels.

He had much trouble to get sailors to go on the voyage with him, for they feared the "Sea of Darkness" as the Atlantic Ocean was called.

At last he was successful, and on August 3, 1492, they left Spain. At first all went well. The wind blew the little ships steadily along.

But as the days passed the sailors began to wonder how they could return against these winds.

On and on they sailed, with no sight of land.

They became frightened and talked of throwing Columbus overboard. But Columbus did not lose courage. Instead he urged them to sail on.

At last after many days and nights of weary watching, signs of land appeared. A branch with fresh berries floated by.

On October 12, the shores of a beautiful island were There was great joy among the sailors, for they had thought that they would never see land again.

seen.

Going ashore, Columbus took possession of the land in the name of the king of Spain.

He called the island, which is off the coast of Florida, San Salvador. He thought he had reached India, so he called the people he found on the island, Indians.

Columbus discovered several other islands, among them Cuba and Haiti.

When he returned to Spain he was received with great honor and joy.

He made three other voyages, discovering other islands, and parts of South and Central America, but he did not find any gold, or spices, or cities.

Because of this many people were disappointed, and Columbus became unpopular. His last days were full of sorrow. He died poor and unhappy.

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He never knew that he had discovered a new worldthe world in which you and I live.

Questions and Topics for Discussion

What is the first period in American history?

Why did the people of Europe seek a short route to India?

Who was Christopher Columbus?

What did he believe about the shape of the earth?

He believed he could reach India by sailing in what direction?

Did Columbus have enough money to make this voyage?

Who finally helped him?

Tell the story of his voyage across the unknown ocean.

What did he discover? What did he think he had discovered?

What did he call the people he found there?

Did he find any riches or gold? How did Columbus die?

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