The American Nation: A History — Volume 1: European Background of American History, 1300-1600

The American Nation: A History — Volume 1, authored by Edward Potts Cheyney and first published in 1552, examines the European influences that led to the discovery and colonization of America from 1300 to 1600. This volume explores the political, economic, and social conditions in Europe during the late medieval period and early Renaissance, highlighting the motivations for exploration, trade routes, and the impact of the Reformation. Cheyney discusses the significant contributions of Italian navigation and cartography, which played a crucial role in the eventual discovery of the New World.