The American Nation: A History — Volume 1: European Background of American History, 1300-1600

"The American Nation: A History — Volume 1: European Background of American History" by Edward Potts Cheyney is a historical account likely written in the early 20th century. This volume strives to explore European influences and conditions leading to the discovery and colonization of America, tracing the roots of American society and governance back to their European origins. The opening of the book sets the stage for an examination of the burgeoning aspirations for exploration during the late medieval period up until the early Renaissance, focusing on the interplay between trade, politics, and socioeconomic factors in Europe that sparked a desire to find new routes to Asia. Cheyney outlines the historical context of Europe, from trade routes and the impact of the Ottoman Empire on established paths, to the desires ignited by the spice trade and the Reformation. The reader is introduced to the motivations and challenges faced by early explorers as they ventured into the unknown, along with the significant role that Italian contributions to navigation and cartography played in these explorations, culminating in the indirect yet transformative discovery of the New World.