Annotation The evolution of the United States from a diverse group of European colonies to a distinctive new nation is the focus of this three-volume set. Encompassing 75 years of American history, from the start of the Seven Years' War (1754) to the inauguration of Andrew Jackson in 1829, the Encyclopedia covers key events of the era such as the Revolution, the development of the Articles of Confederation and the new Constitution, the organization of a new national government, the emergence of the party system, the Louisiana Purchase, the second war with Britain, and the assertion of national power through the Monroe Doctrine and the acquisition of Florida. With approximately 670 articles, this multidisciplinary title is the first comprehensive reference tool to focus specifically on the formative period of the United States. It provides essential information not only on history and politics but also on the development of the ideas, customs and institutions that constitute the American cultural identity.