The Shaping of North America From Earliest Times to 1763
North America's shaping: geology, Native cultures, European colonization, and empire clashes. 1763 laid foundations for nations.
Asimov's genius, clearly reflected in this story, lies in presenting history not as a mere collection of facts or dates, but as a dynamic process, "a river of cause and effect". This story exemplifies his approach by beginning the "story" of North America from its very genesis, long before human intervention. It masterfully sets the stage by delving into geology, explaining how the supercontinent Pangaea split apart some 200 million years ago, leading to the westward drift and physical formation of what would become North America, with its vast plains, great lakes, and rugged coastlines. This deep historical foundation immediately establishes that the shaping of the continent was a multi-faceted process driven by immense, often unseen, forces.
The narrative logically progresses to the Ice Ages, highlighting their crucial role in dramatically lowering sea levels and exposing the Beringia land bridge between Asia and Alaska. This geological event is presented as the direct precursor to the next major chapter in the continent's history: the arrival of humans. Around 15,000 years ago, early hunter-gatherers crossed this bridge, beginning the human story of North America. Asimov, through this story, then illustrates how these first inhabitants spread, adapted, and developed diverse cultures across the continent. From the powerful Iroquois confederacies in the Northeast, to nomadic tribes hunting bison on the plains, and the sophisticated irrigation systems of the Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest, the story paints a picture of a vibrant continent already home to tens of millions of people speaking hundreds of languages by the time Europeans arrived. This section effectively shows the initial cultural shaping of the continent, long before external influences.
The narrative then smoothly shifts to the Age of Exploration in the 15th century, driven by Europe's quest for new trade routes and riches. The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 is presented as the pivotal moment that "opened the floodgates," leading to further explorations by figures like John Cabot for England and Jacques Cartier for France. This transition marks the beginning of the major external forces that would reshape the continent. The story clearly distinguishes the early European approaches: Spain's rapid conquests of rich empires to the south versus the more challenging and less gold-rich northern territories.
As the "story" unfolds, the distinct colonial approaches of the European powers become central. Spain's move northward established early outposts like St. Augustine in Florida, bringing missions, forts, and imposing Catholicism. In parallel, the French explored the vast interior, with figures like Samuel de Champlain founding Quebec in 1608. Their empire, as described, was built more on alliances with Native tribes and the fur trade than on conquest, showcasing a different mode of interaction with the land and its peoples. England's late but impactful colonization began with Jamestown in 1607 and later the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620, driven by economic opportunity (tobacco) and religious freedom respectively. The story highlights the diverse character of the English colonies—religious New England, ethnically mixed Middle Colonies, and the plantation-based Southern Colonies relying on enslaved African labor. Each colonial approach fundamentally contributed to the continent's evolving identity and laid groundwork for future conflicts.
The narrative then builds towards the inevitable clash of empires and cultures. The story details the fierce Native American resistance to European encroachment, exemplified by King Philip’s War and Powhatan uprisings. Crucially, it highlights how North America became a battlefield for France and England, with their European wars spilling over and disrupting Native alliances. This growing tension culminates in the French and Indian War (1754–1763), presented as a decisive turning point. The conflict, sparked by skirmishes over the Ohio River Valley involving a young George Washington, saw significant British investment and key victories like the capture of Quebec. The outcome, the Treaty of Paris in 1763, redrew the map, effectively ousting France from mainland North America and leaving Britain dominant.
This "story" logically leads to the seeds of future discontent. The story explains that Britain's triumph came at a high cost, prompting new taxes and restrictions on its American colonies. This interference was resented by colonists accustomed to autonomy, setting the stage for future rebellion. Simultaneously, Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763 demonstrated continued Native American resistance against expanding British settlements, proving that conquest did not equate to control.
The brilliance of Asimov's narrative, as conveyed in this story, is how it makes it clear that 1763 marked both an end and a beginning. The continent had been profoundly shaped by geological forces, human migration, and imperial struggles, yet the "story" was far from over. It was becoming "a stage on which new nations would rise," driven by grievances and new ideas. The story concludes by reinforcing Asimov's overarching theme: the shaping of North America was an ongoing process, with the foundations laid by 1763 serving as the critical backdrop for the next chapter in its history, hinting at the revolution to come without explicitly detailing its "plot". This review, like Asimov's story, aims to provide clarity and logical progression, demonstrating how each historical layer contributed to the ultimate identity of the continent.
