Plot summary, “A Short History of the United States” by Edward Channing in 5 Minutes - Book Review

A Short History of the United States (1908) by Edward Channing is a concise textbook designed for middle and elementary school students, offering an overview of major events in American history. Spanning 45 chapters, it covers European exploration, colonial settlements, the American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War, and the contributions of key political figures, focusing on wars and conflicts rather than individual biographies. Channing’s perspective reflects early 20th-century views, with an emphasis on white male figures and economic factors over social or political ones. Despite its dated approach, it serves as a historical snapshot of how American history was taught in the early 1900s.