History of the United States

work by Channing

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June 29, 2026

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Edward Channing was an American historian known for his extensive six-volume History of the United States (1905–25). This monumental work covered the development of the United States from 1000 AD through the American Civil War. Channing taught at Harvard University and was influenced by social Darwinism, emphasizing the forces of union in American history. His research, based on original sources, highlighted the unique contributions of each region to the nation's development. He also challenged Frederick Jackson Turner's frontier thesis by stressing the importance of urbanization and transportation improvements. The sixth volume of his History of the United States received the Pulitzer Prize for History.1

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Edward Channing
…his New England bias, his History of the United States, 6 vol. (1905–25), ranks as a major accomplishment in American historical writing. The sixth volume was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History.
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…his New England bias, his History of the United States, 6 vol. (1905–25), ranks as a major accomplishment in American historical writing. The sixth volume was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History.
Read More