United States Intro
American history is but one branch of human history. To understand that
branch, one must look at the trunk of human history and its prehistoric roots.
Many people nowadays, including notable scientists and religious leaders,
believe that the first humans appeared several million years ago. From their place
of origin, probably Africa, early humans migrated into Europe, Asia, and then into
the Americas.
As clans of these prehistoric people migrated into different geographical
regions, they adapted their lifestyles in order to survive. To increase their chances
of survival, families grouped together in clans and tribes. Most primitive peoples
developed economies based on hunting and gathering. In an effort to understand
the mysterious forces of nature, they created myths or superstitions which
explained the natural phenomena of their environment. As different groups
adapted to their environments, different cultures evolved.
Between 8000 and 5000 B.C. some prehistoric peoples learned how to grow
crops. This discovery of agriculture brought great changes to the life-styles of
these peoples. Those who learned to farm were freed from the nomadic life of
hunting and gathering. They were able to settle down in one area and make
permanent homes. They built cities and established political systems for
controlling many people. Agriculture also led to the development of civilizations
such as those in Egypt, in the Fertile Crescent, and in China. Soon civilization
spread to Europe. The ancient Greek civilization fostered the idea of democratic
government and intellectual inquiry. Greek ideas were copied and expanded upon
by another great ancient civilization, the Roman Empire.
In A.D. 476, the Roman Empire was conquered by invading barbarians from
northern Europe. Without the civilizing influence of the Romans, much of Europe
fell into a time of slow cultural development called the Dark Ages. But despite
Europe's cultural backwardness, some important progress was made. Roman
Catholic missionaries converted the pagan barbarians making Europe
predominantly Christian. Another important development took place in England
in 1215 when noblemen forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. This
document was a major step toward the development of democratic government. It
limited the power of the king and laid the foundation for the right of trial by jury
and representative government in England. Meanwhile stories of Eastern lands
told by Crusaders and men like Marco Polo opened the eyes of Europeans. They
learned that the world was far larger and richer than they had ever dreamed. Soon
the Dark Age of European backwardness gave way to an exciting time of trade and
cultural exchange between West and East. European desire to trade with the East
encouraged commercial growth and technological innovation. This trade also
prompted the search for faster, more prosperous trade routes. Such a search by
Christopher Columbus led to the discovery of the New World and its people -- the
Native Americans.