It can be confusing to learn that the US Constitution wasn't the first document governing the United States. The Articles of Confederation was a problematic document, and the social studies curriculum commonly asks students to understand why and its effect on the Constitution. This volume simply breaks down the writing of the Articles as well as its problems for readers unfamiliar with the document or in need of reviewing it. Key definitions and explanations...

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set U.S. history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence....

The highest law in the United States isn't written in modern English. Yet students are expected to know and understand much of what it says, as well as facts about how and why it was written. Readers are presented with the most important points of the history of the Constitution and its contents in this book. The main content gives simple explanations of important social studies curriculum topics, from the compromises needed to write the Constitution...

A history of the early European settlements, such as Jamestown, and the founding of the 13 British colonies that became the United States.

The Panama Canal is only about 40 miles long, but this narrow channel connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It saves ocean vessels from going around South America, which would otherwise be a 9,000-mile journey. Readers will learn about the canal's creation, how the United States became involved, and about the 40,000 people who worked on it over 10 years. They'll especially appreciate the amazing photographs of construction from the early 1900s...

The highest law in the United States isn't written in modern English. Yet students are expected to know and understand much of what it says, as well as facts about how and why it was written. Readers are presented with the most important points of the history of the Constitution and its contents in this book. The main content gives simple explanations of important social studies curriculum topics, from the compromises needed to write the Constitution...

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set U.S. history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence....