The American experiment : a history of the United States / Steven M. Gillon, Cathy D. Matson.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1 Out of Old Worlds, New Worlds
2 The First Experiments, 1540-1680
3 Imperial Connections, 1660-1748
4 Colonial Maturation and Conflict, 1680-1754
5 Forging the American Experiment, 1754-1775
6 Winning Independence, 1775-1783
7 The Federal Experiment, 1783-1800
8 Striving for Nationhood, 1800-1824
9 An Emerging Capitalist Nation, 1790-1820
10 Transforming the Political Culture, 1820-1840
11 Industry and Reform in the North, 1820-1850
12 Living with Slavery, North and South, 1820-1850
13 The Westward Experiment, 1820-1850
14 The Sectional Challenge, 1848-1860
15 Transforming the Experiment: The Civil War, 1861-1865
16 Reconstruction and the New South, 1864-1900

Approaching the American history survey course in an innovative way, this mid-length text features a more expansive definition of political history that includes all forms of politics, not just electoral politics, while simultaneously incorporating cultural history. With the specific aim of expanding history beyond elite actors, The American Experiment emphasizes everyday work, family life, customs, and objects of cultural history to address its four themes: the role of government, American identity, the broad concept of culture, and America and the world. The Third Edition features an enhanced thematic approach that helps students understand America's development as an experiment in politics, culture, and identity, within a global context.