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A School History of the United States

Written by John Bach McMaster

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About this book

"A School History of the United States" by John Bach McMaster is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book serves as a comprehensive introduction to American history, starting with the discovery of America and tracing the development of the United States from its colonial beginnings through the establishment of its government. McMaster approaches the subject as one would recount the life of a great individual, framing the colonial period as the formative years that set the stage for the nation’s future. The opening of the book presents a preface wherein McMaster explains his intent to cover early American history through the lens of exploration and colonization, starting with Columbus's voyages. He outlines key themes such as the impacts of European nations like Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands on the territory that would become the United States, highlighting events that shaped its political landscape. The text emphasizes significant early explorations and geopolitical relationships, setting an informative foundation for understanding how the United States evolved into an independent nation. McMaster's emphasis on the connections between early discovery and later conflicts suggests a deeper analysis of how these historical moments influenced America's path to nationhood.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in A School History of the United States, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • informative
  • historical
  • didactic

John Bach McMaster's "A School History of the United States" is a foundational late 19th-century history text chronicling the birth and development of the American nation. Beginning with the initial European discovery of the Americas, the book meticulously traces the journey through colonization by various European powers, the establishment of distinct colonial societies, and the eventual path to independence and the formation of the United States government. McMaster frames this historical progression as the 'formative years' of a 'great individual,' emphasizing the interconnectedness of early explorations and geopolitical struggles with the nation's later destiny. It serves as an informative, albeit dated, introduction to early American history through a pedagogical lens prevalent in its era.

“"It is my intent to cover early American history through the lens of exploration and colonization, starting with Columbus's voyages, framing the colonial period as the formative years that set the stage for the nation’s future."”

Key themes

Nation-Building and Identity Formation
This is a central theme, as McMaster frames the entire colonial period as the 'formative years' of the United States. The book traces how disparate colonial settlements, influenced by various European cultures and facing unique challenges, gradually developed a shared sense of identity that transcended their individual origins and eventually led to a unified nation.
The Impact of European Colonization
McMaster extensively details the profound and multifaceted effects of European arrival and settlement on the Americas. This includes the introduction of new technologies, diseases, agricultural practices, and political systems, as well as the displacement and subjugation of Indigenous populations. The theme explores the legacy of these initial interactions and power dynamics.
Political Evolution and Self-Governance
The book traces the gradual development of political structures within the colonies, from initial proprietary or royal rule to increasingly representative assemblies and local forms of self-governance. This theme highlights the journey towards independence, emphasizing the colonists' growing desire for autonomy and their eventual rejection of external imperial control.

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How does McMaster's framing of the nation as an 'individual' impact the interpretation of historical events?

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