Summary: Chapter4 (Short version)
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
Colonial militia fire the Shot Heard Round the Work, and unite under George Washington to force the British to abandon Boston
Page 5: Americans Declare Independence
After Britain abandons Boston, colonial delegates in Philadelphia sign the Declaration of Independence, but then watch the British return with a much larger force
Page 6: Retreating Before the Redcoats
After retreating from disaster in New York, Washington launches a surprise attack at Princeton, then Saratoga proves a turning point in the war
Page 7: French Help Leads to Final Victory
After a miserable winter at Valley Forge, Washington teams up with French troops under Lafayette to stop the British invasion of the Carolinas, achieving final victory at Yorktown
Page 8: 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 9: 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 10: Sketchy Initial Plan
America has its Constitution, but most of the implementation is still blank, to be added later when growth reveals the need for greater detail
Page 11: 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 12: Chesapeake and Lowcountry
Marshy tidal lowlands in the South have few towns, being divided into tobacco and rice plantations, which require large numbers of expensive slaves
Page 13: Southern Planters
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 14: Real Cities, Finally
As America grows, the major ports become prosperous cities, with libraries, hospitals, paved streets and even streetlamps
Page 15: The West Gets Bigger
Virginians are surging across the Appalachian Mountain barrier, while a single lucky purchase doubles the size of the country, overnight
Page 16: Boundaries Expanding
To explore the Louisiana Territory, a two-year scientific expedition returns with a report on the new West, while sea captains from Massachusetts establish trade with China
Page 17: Moving off the Coast
Americans flood through gaps in the mountains to settle the broad Ohio River Valley, while Virginians continue to push down into the Carolinas