The Brief American Pageant: A History of the Republic, 10th Student Edition

An all-new chapter on the Roaring '20s integrates political, economic and cultural history of the period while connecting the origin of mass consumerism and new technologies to continual modernizing forces in the 20th century.

Colorful anecdotes, first-person quotations and the authors' signature wit contribute to the book's reputation as one of the most popular, effective and entertaining texts in American history. "Makers of America" features bring to life major ethnic and social groups (the Plains Indians, Italian Americans, Vietnamese Americans) as well as prominent social and political groups and movements (the Oneida Community, environmentalists, feminists). These exceptionally well-written essays add depth and personality to the text's historical presentation.

Helping learners engage with topics on a personal level, quote boxes sprinkled liberally throughout the chapters take students back to the period under discussion and give them a sense of what people of the time said and thought about various events, questions and controversies.

"Examining the Evidence" features give students a chance to practice the art of historical thinking by showing how historians develop interpretations of the past. Covering a wide range of sources, they lead students to discover how a letter from a Black freedman to his former master illuminates his family's hopes for a new life; what the manuscript census teaches us about immigrant households in New York in 1900; how political cartoons work to make points with satire and humor; and how the shopping mall changed consumers' behavior and politicians' campaign tactics after World War II.

"Varying Viewpoints" provide insightful accounts of the changing historical interpretations of major events in American history, such as the American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War, the 1960s, modern conservatism and more. These essays provide instructors with a rich resource for deepening their own appreciation for the many and often conflicting ways that historians have interpreted America's history as well as a provocative means of introducing students to the relationship between historical facts and historical interpretations.

Exceedingly clear maps are closely linked to the textual narrative, providing precise topographical detail and clear labels to better communicate the authors' analytical points. In addition, a global locator map in a corner of each map provides geographical context for the area under discussion.

Key terms are highlighted in the text and defined in the margins where they are first introduced. Both key term and key people lists appear at the end of each chapter to help students review chapter highlights -- maximizing their study time.

In every chapter, focus questions, chapter outlines and summaries, marginal glossaries and links to related primary sources ensure that students understand and retain the material as they read and prepare for exams.

The 10th edition provides new emphasis on the international context and impact of numerous developments in American history, including nationalist rivalries in colonial settlement, the American Revolution in relation to others, comparative slavery, 19th-century nationalism, international trade and technology, global wars, anti-colonial movements and environmental developments.

An expanded focus on Native American history throughout American history connects it with other major themes, such as Western movements, racial conflicts and political developments.

More attention to Black historical figures and developments includes the active role of enslaved people in creating their own culture and pushing for their own liberation during the Civil War and after -- linking issues of race to feminism, labor history and other major movements in the U.S.

New material on post-World War II civil rights and movements for racial justice includes coverage of the Obama presidency.

A new section highlights privacy and security issues in the digital age.