HistoryPart One History of the United States I Introduction to British and American Culture Learning Focus•Columbus and the New World •American Indians •The Mayflower•The War of Independence•The American Civil War Introduction to British and American Culture Warm-upThink about the following questions.1. Who are the original American people? __________________________________2. Do you know where the name “America” came from? __________________________________3. Which American holidays do you know? __________________________________ Introduction to British and American Culture Colonization of North America•American Indians•The Discovery of America •The First Permanent English Colony•The Mayflower •The Founding of the Thirteen Colonies Introduction to British and American Culture American Indians•About 25,000 years ago•Descendants of Asian people-Mongoloid •The name “Indians” was given by Christopher Columbus. Introduction to British and American Culture American Indians•The Bering Strait was tied together •It was possible to for the Indians to walk from Asia to Alaska 25000 years ago. Introduction to British and American Culture American Indians•Were skilled hunters and fishermen•Developed the brilliant American civilizations of the Aztecs, the Incas and the Mayas. Introduction to British and American Culture The Discovery of America Columbus •In 1492, Columbus landed at one of the Caribbean islands.•Columbus called the local people Indians. Introduction to British and American Culture Amerigo Vespucci•He first confirmed the fact that a new continent had been discovered.•The New World was named America to honor Amerigo Vespucci.Introduction to British and American Culture The First Permanent English Colony •In 1607•Three ships crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed by the side of a river--the James River. •The first English colony was founded at Jamestown, Virginia. Introduction to British and American Culture The Mayflower •Significance–A symbol of early European colonization of the Americas•Background –oppressed by the Church of England –In 1620–102 people sailed in a ship named the “Mayflower”. –Landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts Introduction to British and American Culture Thanksgiving Day •The 4th Thursday of November•A purely American holiday •Origin –The Indians taught the Englishmen how to plant pumpkins, beans and corn. –A celebration was held to give thanks to God. Introduction to British and American Culture The Founding of the Thirteen Colonies•During the first 150 years, the British colonies in North America became a “melting pot”.•By the early 1760s, English settlers had established 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast. Introduction to British and American Culture The Birth of the United States nThe Conflict between Britain and the American Colonists nThe War of Independence Introduction to British and American Culture The Conflict between Britain and the American ColonistsnBackgroundqThe British government started imposing new taxes on sugar, coffee and textiles.qThey passed many laws such as the Quartering Act and the Stamp Act. Introduction to British and American Culture Boston Tea Party nBackground qIn 1773, British government passed a new law---the Tea Act. nSlogan q “No taxation without representation”nTime qDecember 16, 1773 nEvent qA group of Americans threw 342 boxes of tea into Boston Harbour. Introduction to British and American Culture The War of IndependencenApril 19, 1775qA shot was fired in the village of Lexington and thus the War of Independence began. nMay, 1775qThe Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and began to take on the function of a national government. nJuly 4, 1776qDeclaration of Independence was adopted. Introduction to British and American Culture The War of Independence•Time–On October 19, 1781 •Result –The British soldiers were forced to surrender. •Consequences –George Washington became the first President.–The 4th of July became the national holiday of America--- the Independence Day. Introduction to British and American Culture Complete a Timeline•1763: The French and Indian War ended •1773: _______________________________•1774: The First Continental Congress •1775: ________________________________•1776: ________________________________ •1781: ________________________________ Boston Tea Party/Tea ActThe War of Independence beganDeclaration of Independence was adoptedThe War of Independence ended Introduction to British and American Culture The American Civil War nNorthern vs. SouthernnUncle Tom’s Cabin nAbraham Lincoln Introduction to British and American Culture Northern vs. Southern•Three significant conflicts between the North and South of America. –The slave problem–Different economic interests–The political conflict•Major issue–Slavery Introduction to British and American Culture Northern vs. Southern•The Southern states •Claimed for themselves the Confederate States (or the Confederacy) •Slavery continued•The Northern States•Fought to maintain the Union•Called the Union States •Slavery had been abolished Introduction to British and American Culture Northern vs. SouthernIssuesSouthern StatesNorthern StatesEconomyPlantations__________centerSlavery__________AbolishedPolitical powerMore powerful__________ powerfulSupportThe Confederacy____________Manufacturing Continued Less The Union Introduction to British and American Culture Uncle Tom’s Cabin•Published in 1852•By Harriet Beecher Stowe•Significance –Became the best-selling novel of the 19th century in America. –Aroused a great discontent over slavery. Introduction to British and American Culture Abraham Lincoln •March 1861 -- took the office of the president.•April 12, 1861--the Civil War began.•September 22, 1862-- issued the Emancipation Proclamation–which granted freedom to about 4 million slaves. •Made a famous speech in Gettysburg. Introduction to British and American Culture The Civil War•on April 9, 1865–The Civil War officially ended with the unconditional surrender of the South. •Consequence •It resolved two fundamental issues: –Slavery was completely abolished;–America became a single and stronger nation. Introduction to British and American Culture US in the Two World Wars• After World War I–Changed from a debtor nation to a creditor nation–American industry reached a degree of prosperity unparalleled in the past.•After World War II–Became the strongest power in the world Introduction to British and American Culture Learning Focus•American Indians•Columbus and the New World •The Mayflower•The War of Independence•The American Civil War Introduction to British and American Culture Thank You! 。