Books in Primary Sources of American Symbols series

Described by many as America’s darkest hour, the Civil War pitted brother against brother in a violent test of America’s fragile Union. In battle after bloody battle, Union and Confederate forces struggled for victory, ravaging the countryside as death and casualty tolls mounted astronomically. Readers will learn the causes, major events, and outcome of America’s fight to preserve the republic.

Explores the founding of the first permanent English colony in North America, which was challenged by starvation, disease, deteriorating relations with Native Americans, economic struggles, rebellion, and class struggle. Despite these monumental difficulties, the colony prospered and established a legislative assembly that was the first example of representative government in what is now the United States.

Many of the people on the Mayflower left Europe for religious freedom. When the ship landed at Plymouth in the dead of winter, the new colony was endangered. However, many of the Pilgrims survived and the settlement prospered. The writings and other primary sources of the residents of this region take you through the religious divisions and the arrival of immigrants with other agendas that expanded the colony into what eventually became New England.