England didn't start its first successful colony in North America until 1607, more than 100 years after Columbus arrived in the New World. In this video, Kim discusses the problems that prevented England from following in Spain's footsteps, including struggles for the throne, war in Ireland, and economic depression.

During Reconstruction, three new amendments to the Constitution redefined freedom, citizenship, and democracy in the United States. But how much really changed? In this video, Kim examines continuity and change over time in the lives of African Americans in the South before and after Reconstruction.

In the 1600s, French and Dutch settlers in North America took a very different approach to colonization than their English or Spanish counterparts. In this video, Kim examines the trading relationships that French and Dutch settlers established with Native Americans in North America and how colonial goals affected patterns of settlement.

The Gettysburg Address was delivered by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863. In this video, Kim sets the stage for the address and describes the scene at the cemetery.

Steel, telephones, elevators! Kim and David discuss the technological innovations that made the Gilded Age possible.

How do historians analyze sources from the past? KA's historian Kim Kutz Elliott and grammarian David Rheinstrom continue their conversation about how to interpret Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address.

What's the difference between a primary source and a secondary source? KA's historian Kim Kutz Elliott and grammarian David Rheinstrom discuss reading sources by examining Franklin Delano Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address.

American cities grew rapidly during the Gilded Age. What brought people to the cities and what were their experiences like? In this video, Kim explores continuity and change in migration patterns from 1865-1898.

"A compromise is a little something to make both sides angry." Kim and Sal talk about increased tensions between slave and free states as new territory is added after Mexican-American War and from Compromise of 1850 (especially the Fugitive Slave Act).

What was the Gilded Age? Kim and David discuss the vast wealth and crushing poverty that characterized the era.

Modern American political culture began to emerge in the early nineteenth century. In this video, Kim discusses the transition from the United States' earlier aristocratic political culture to a more democratic one as the right to vote was extended to a broader segment of American citizens.

Rematch! Kim discusses the presidential election of 1828, when Andrew Jackson once again ran against John Quincy Adams and won. This election was the first to employ many modern election tactics, such as mudslinging.

In the final video in this series, Kim discusses Andrew Jackson's presidency and how he attempted to increase the power of the executive branch. A growing movement of opposition to Jackson coalesced into the Whig Party, which employed many of the same tactics as Jackson in the election of 1840.

In the contested presidential election of 1824, John Quincy Adams faced off against Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay.

Kim discusses how the system of indentured servitude in colonial Virginia transformed into a system of African slavery after Nathaniel Bacon's rebellion against the House of Burgesses.

Kim discusses the early difficulties of the English colonists at Jamestown, and clears up some common misconceptions about John Smith and Pocahontas.

Kim discusses how the tobacco plantation system led to indentured servitude and eventually slavery in the area surrounding Jamestown and the Chesapeake Bay.

Kim discusses how John Rolfe's discovery that Virginia was the perfect environment to cultivate tobacco led to Jamestown's success -- and to a great deal of conflict between the English and the Powhatans, resulting in the first and second Anglo-Powhatan Wars.

In the year 1863, US General Ulysses S. Grant succeeds in securing the western theatre of war and moves east to take on Robert E. Lee.