Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The War Experience: Soldiers, Officers, and Civiliams
It's a miracle American won the American Revolution. Read about the difficulty in raising and maintaining a professional fighting force. Also find out about the antagonism between the soldiers and civilians. Congress seemed unwilling to...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "Republican Motherhood"
Although brief, this article makes clear the change in the role and perception of women in the new United States. See why it was deemed important for women to have the chance to be educated.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Washington at Valley Forge
The time spent at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 by the Continental Army was a turning point. Read first-hand about the terrible conditions at this winter encampment, but also see how the winter break in fighting helped make the army...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: First Continental Congress
By 1774 the colonists had had enough of what they saw as British disrespect and lack of concern about their grievances. Read about the cooperation of the colonies in forming the First Continental Congress to address these issues.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Committees of Correspondence
See how organization can be a stepping stone to freedom. Read about the actions and the reasons behind those actions of the Committees of Correspondence prior to the Revolutionary War.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Native American Society on the Eve of British Colonization
This is a brief overview of the Native American cultures, languages, and diversity amont the many tribes that lived in North America prior to European contact.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Historic Philadelphia: Philadelphia History
Reading through the beginning of this article will show the role shipping and ship building played in Philadelphia's economy.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Historic Germantown: James Barron
A brief account of the encounter between the USS Chesapeake and the HMS Leopard. This page also explains Commodore James Barron's court martial after the incident with the Leopard.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin: The New England Courant
Read all about it! Find copies of The New-England Courant published by James Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's older brother. You can also read about Ben Franklin's contribution to this colonial newspaper.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Letter From Columbus
Text from a letter of Christopher Columbus announcing that he had discovered a new land.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Reaching to Connecticut
Read about how the colony of Connecticut grew from an expansion of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. See how Thomas Hooker's idea of government resulted in a model of colonial charters, and find out how two very different settlements in...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Royal Proclamation of 1763
An explanation of the cause and effects of the Proclamation of 1763 along with the original text itself.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tea Act and Tea Parties
Read the text of the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament primarily as a way to rescue the failing British East India Company. Find out about the colonists' reactions to this tax, and read a first-hand account of the Boston Tea Party.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Hudson River School Artists
A discussion of the Americanization of painting in the early 1800s with the artists who were part of the Hudson River School of Art. Read about the new audience for their paintings and the subject matter.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Dred Scott Decision
Read the terms of the Dred Scott decision which determined that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. See why this decision was so controversial and completely unacceptable to the northerners, thus driving an additional wedge...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: African Americans in the British New World: The Middle Passage
A description of the Middle Passage, the leg of the triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa to America. Read descriptions of the way slaves were transported in the ships across the ocean.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Early National Organizations
As early as 1866 a national union grew from the multitude of local unions in the country. Read about the growth of stronger unions, and find out what their goals were. See why the Haymarket Square Riot had an effect on unionization.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The South Secedes
South Carolina was the first to secede upon the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Read about the secession of more states, the election of a president of the new Confederate States of America, and a last ditch effort to save the union.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Expansion of the Vote: A White Man's Democracy
Read about how the ability to vote changed from requiring the ownership of property to almost complete enfranchisement of white males by 1840. There was disenfranchisment of women and free blacks in the same period of time.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Cast of National Superstars
A brief look at some of those who served as delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, which morphed into a constitutional convention. Pay attention to the class of people who made up the delegates.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Loyalists
Perhaps the Loyalists had some concrete reasons to support staying part of the British Empire. Read about who was a Loyalist and why. Particularly interesting is the reason behind so many slaves supporting Britain and what happened to...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Britain in the New World: Early Ventures Fail
Several Englishmen sailed to the New World to establish settlements for England. Read about Sir Humphrey Gilbert's fate, and the mystery of Roanoke. Follow Sir Francis Drake on the map as he circumnavigated the globe.