Changes

This class is a different approach to American history than most courses that take all year.  Learning in a simple and quick manner can sometimes be better.  It’s easier to see how events relate to each other.  It’s easier to see the big picture.  When you want to find your way somewhere, do you want a road map that has every single detail and building on it?  No, that is too hard to read.  You want a map that has the important things on it.  Same with studying history:  don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked by unimportant details.  Focus on the big stuff.

This class is a different approach to American history than most courses that take all year.  Learning in a simple and quick manner can sometimes be better.  It’s easier to see how events relate to each other.  It’s easier to see the big picture.  When you want to find your way somewhere, do you want a road map that has every single detail and building on it?  No, that is too hard to read.  You want a map that has the important things on it.  Same with studying history:  don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked by unimportant details.  Focus on the big stuff.

== Settlement ==

== Before European Exploration ==

Paleo-indian peoples migrated to the Americas in four main periods of migration, beginning 15000 years ago and lasting until 4000 years ago, stabilizing populations in the mainland and surrounding islands over the following period and developing a wealth of culture and unique advancements.  Some of these, such as the Adena burial mounds and Mississippian platform towns, have lasted even into the current era.<ref>Melissa L. Meyer, Dean R. Snow, Charles L. Cohen, Russell Thornton, Donald A. Grinde Jr., Leah Dilworth "Indian History and Culture"  The Oxford Companion to United States History. Paul S. Boyer, ed. Oxford University Press 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  University of Tampa.  4 August 2008  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t119.e0758-s0002></ref>

The first settlers in America were paleo-indian peoples.  Their origin is not known.  Some claim they migrated from Asia, but that makes little sense because American Indians are very different in many ways from Chinese and Asian Indians.  Even their blood types are typically different.   

 

Some old mounds reflecting Indian settlements in America have been discovered, such as the Adena burial mounds and Mississippian platform towns.<ref>Melissa L. Meyer, Dean R. Snow, Charles L. Cohen, Russell Thornton, Donald A. Grinde Jr., Leah Dilworth "Indian History and Culture"  The Oxford Companion to United States History. Paul S. Boyer, ed. Oxford University Press 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  University of Tampa.  4 August 2008  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t119.e0758-s0002></ref>

== Exploration ==

== Exploration ==