The History of Pennsylvania: The Making of the United States By Baerwald H. Wilson

Pennsylvania stands as the cornerstone of American democracy. From William Penn's founding in 1681 to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, from Gettysburg's pivotal battlefield to Pittsburgh's industrial might, this compelling historical account reveals how Pennsylvania profoundly altered the course of American history.

Wilson's authoritative work, built upon decades of meticulous research and primary source analysis, presents a comprehensive examination of the Keystone State's critical role in forging the American nation. Through original documents dating from 1681-2000, readers will encounter the actual voices of Pennsylvania's past - from Lenape tribes who first inhabited the land to the coal miners and steel workers who built an industrial powerhouse.

This definitive history spans Pennsylvania's complete development: the 1681 Charter granted to William Penn, the 1776 deliberations in Philadelphia that birthed independence, the 1863 address that redefined American liberty at Gettysburg, and the economic transformation of 1870-1920 that turned Pennsylvania into the nation's industrial center.

Thoroughly researched yet accessibly written, Wilson captures the authentic spirit of Pennsylvania's pivotal moments and influential figures. Experience the Constitutional debates in Independence Hall, walk alongside Union soldiers at Gettysburg, and witness the rise of steel and coal industries that transformed America.

For anyone seeking to understand how America became America, this essential historical account provides the answers through Pennsylvania's extraordinary story.