Otázka: American History
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): hanka_p
American history, over the map of the USA
The US history:
- Pre-Columbus era
- Colonial period
- The war for independence
- After the war for independence
- 20th, 21th centuries – Modern history
Pre-Columbus era
native Americans came from Asia, they crossed the Bering Strait – ice/land bridge
> spread to the south – because of the weather – in north there were long polar nights
– they lived from the nature (hunting, gathering, fishing) and primitive agriculture
– good architects and builders (pyramids in Mexico)
1429 – Columbus discovered the continent
– he wanted find new way to India > he called the people Indians
Colonial period
sea explorer, sailor, captain – Amerigo Vespucci
– explore Brasil
– the continent is called after him
new plants to Europe – potatoes, beans, corn, tobacco, fur products …
Reasons for emigration (from) or immigration (into)
– looking for new opportunities, starting new life
– losers, criminals (committed a crime), thieves
– want to escape
– because of political, religions, economics reasons
– start their own business
– looking for natural wealth (gold rush)
– looking for own a piece of land
– working/ studying opportunities
– establishing missions
– fighting over new territories – people were hired as a soldiers
– indentured servants (black people) – 7 years > free > new opportunities
– serve, help their masters for the period of 7 years
– to escape wars
– today: money, fame, study
The oldest permanent settlement
– St. Augustine 1564 (Spain)- Florida
– Jamestown 1607 (England) – Virginia (Elisabeth I. – virgin queen)
>>
started building big cities/towns – Boston, New York, Philadelphia
The Pilgrim story 1620
– puritan refugees from England- they wanted to purity themselves from the Anglican church (because in England there was much religious persecution (king James would not allow them to attendant the church of their choice)
> left England to find a place that would let them worship God in their own way
> sailed to Amsterdam > finally settled in Holland
> they sailed to North America, where they could established their own community and keep the English language
– 2 ships – Speedwell, Mayflower
> began their journey across the Atlantic ocean, but Speedwell began developing a leak
> both ships had to return to port
> on September 6, 1620 the Mayflower set sail alone with 102 people aboard
– not enough food
– cold – couldn’t set fire, because the ship was made of wood
– illnesses
– baby was born there, the baby was called Oceanus
> saw the land 11.11., but landed 21.11.
– they wanted to Jamestown, but they were drifted by the currents and wind to Plymouth, Massachusetts
> all had to sign the “Mayflower compact” (first written document?)
= agreement to the fact that they are still loyal to the king of kingdom, but would set their own laws
> began to build a settlement near Massachusetts
– Indians helped them – learn how to build, hunt, plant…
> harvest = a lot of food
Pilgrims were thankful for the help > they invited Indians for a feast of “thanksgiving”
THANKSGIVING – thanks to Indians, God, nature/new fertile land
– giving thanks for all blessings
– first was in October, today 4. Thursday (?) in November
– food: turkey, seafood
– today: family is together
watch American football, parade
food: turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes
family pray before the food
– black Friday – sales
1619 – the first black Africans were brought to America
– arrived in Jamestown
– indentured servants
– 1660’s they were turned into permanent slaves
> big problem
Period of: immigration
expansion > tension between Indians and colonists > conflicts
tension between colonists and the English king
disagreement over slavery
rivalry between England and France over new territories
The war for independence
1620 – 1776 – it was developing for many years
colonists wanted to be free – separate themselves from England
– there was hatred, they were frustrated
English king needed money for the war with France, to cover the cost > he exploited them
– limited trade (just with UK, gave them their prices)
– new laws were passed by English parliament, but there weren’t any representatives > rising taxes
“no taxation without representation”
– imposed high taxes and duties on all English goods > they had to pay it, for example tea
1770 Boston Massacre
in America there were many soldiers to controle the colonists
– soldiers were at the square > colonist shouted slogans and threw snowballs, but one of them threw a rock and soldiers started shooting > 5 men died
> unrest > one incident after another
1773 Boston tea party
colonists were dressed like Indians and broke into the ship > threw all the tea-cargo into the sea
– protest against high taxes and duties
– it wasn’t the beginning of war, they just wanted to have representatives in parliament
> the English king let them pay it and gave them penalty, but they didn’t want to pay it
> the tension was growing
1774, 1775 continental congresses
colonist started assemble in Philadelphia
– deputies, delegates, representatives
for the first time they spoke about separation and how to became independent (war)
on the second meeting they established the army
– first commander in chief – George Washington
4. 7. 1776 The declaration of independence
wrote by Thomas Jefferson – read it n the square in Philadelphia, svolal lidi – liberty bell
= announced/declare independence
- all men are created equal
- separate themselves from England – break all political conections
> independent united states
English king didn’t want to give up easily > war – lasted 7 years
1783 – England recognized/accepted American independence
After the war for independence
first president George Washington
first government > constitution – the oldest democratic constitution (1789)
– consisted of 7 articles
– they weren’t happy with it – it was too vague – no individual freedoms
– 1791 – first ten amendments were added = the bill of rights (základní listina práv svobod)
- 1. amendment: basic individual freedoms (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly)
- 2. amendment: the right to wear arms – to defend myself and my property
1803 – the Louisiana purchase
– Napoleon needed money for the war in Europe > sold the French territories
> Americans doubled their territories
1849 – Gold rush
– gold was discovered I California
period of: reconstruction
further territorial expansion
wild capitalism
Civil war
3 main causes: slavery issue (since 1660’s)
clash of 2 different systems
fight over new territories
north against south – 2 systems were criticizing each other
– north: industrial, modern, capitalist, progressive
– capitalism + progress, richness
– jobless, homeless, poorness, social differences, no social security
– wanted abolish slavery
– south: old, agricultural (good weather), aristocratic, prosperous
– plantation (tobacco, cotton) – slave labour
– north said it’s not human – they are treating them like animals – separate families
it’s against the declaration
but they gave them food, house, … and it prosperes
– the 2 systems were developing next to each other – balance
– Nebraska, Cansas – they didn’t know if they will be capitalistic or agricultural
> afraid of losing balance – the other system would be stronger
immediate cause
Abraham Lincoln was elected as President
– ho wanted to abolish the slavery
1863 The emancipation proclamation
> all slaves were set free
At the beginning was south more successful – they defend in what they believed
north – hired soldiers, didn’t know for what they’re fighting
but in the end won the north because of the better weapons
Modern history
Great depression = Wall Street Crash – October 1929
1940 – 1990 – the Cold War (the USA against Soviet Union)
1960 – 1970 – the war in Vietnam
11.9.2001 – terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre
