Summary: Chapter 4
Page 1: World Events Affect America
While the British and French battle it out for dominance all over the world, American colonists are largely neglected, and face increasing financial stress
Page 2: Shipping is America's Lifeline
The aftermath of European wars leaves colonists struggling to maintain their footing, which depends upon shipping
Page 3: Britain Clamps Down
As unrest builds in the American colonies, Britain imposes harsh measures and new taxes which make matters worse, while sending troops to quell resistance in Boston
Page 4: British Driven out of Boston
Led by George Washington, colonial troops force Britain to abandon Boston, which prompts the Declaration of Independence, but is followed by the return of a much larger British force
Page 5: Retreating Before the Redcoats
After disaster in New York, Washington launches a surprise attack at Princeton, while Saratoga proves a turning point in the war, and final victory is achieved at Yorktown
Page 6: Long Road Ahead
Americans have won their independence, but face a period of chaos and financial uncertainly, before crafting a marvelous new Constitution, in Philadelphia
Page 7: Unity By Compromise
The new Constitution contains vital checks and balances, but is accepted only after compromises are added that will come back to haunt America in future years
Page 8: Sketchy Initial Plan
America has its Constitution, but most of the implementation is still blank, to be added later when growth results in the need for increasing bureaucracy
Page 9: Regions Remain Distinct
The original colonies have been forged into a single nation, but America remains segmented into four distinct regions, with little overlap
Page 10: The Slave Trade
Southern states remain dependent upon slavery as their economic foundation, but problems are visible on the horizon, as the oceanic traffic in slaves is banned
Page 11: Real Cities, Finally
As America grows, the major ports become prosperous cities, with libraries, hospitals, paved streets and even streetlamps
Page 12: Estates for the Wealthy
Most of America is composed of traditional farming homesteads, but prominent families are sometimes able to amass sizable tracts, which are managed as great estates
Page 13: The West Gets Bigger
Virginians are surging across the mountains into Kentucky, while a single lucky purchase doubles the size of the country overnight, and American vessels trade with China
Page 14: Moving off the Coast
Americans flood through gaps in the mountains to settle Kentucky, and the broad Ohio River Valley, while Virginians continue to push down into the Carolinas