American history

American history

The first colonization – it started 15 000 years ago

– the first inhabitants of this area were Native Americans – Indians

– they came from Siberia across a land bridge to Alaska

– they settled all parts of today’s USA

– the sources of their livelihood were hunting, fishing and later agriculture

The first discovery of America continent – it was in the year 1000 A.D.

– the inhabitants were Vikings under the leadership of Leif Erickson

– they didn’t settle there, because they didn’t be able to attack to Indians

The second discovery of America continent – it was in October 1492

– the discoverer was Christopher Columbus and his expedition

– they discovered Caribbean

– Columbus wanted to find western way to India

– he proclaimed it as a Spanish territory

– from this day, America became colonial land for many European countries

Colonies – the colonial period started during the reign of Elizabeth I.

– the first colony was established in 1584 in Virginia

– all settlers died because of lack of food

– the first town was Jamestown which was built in 1607

– other colonies were built in 17th century

Pilgrim Fathers – he came from Britain to America in 1620

– they looked for religious freedom

– they made friends with Indians and settled here

– they eat roasted turkey, apple or pumpkin pie and gave thanks God

– they celebrate the great harvest on fourth Thursday in November ( now festival )

17th century – in 1636 was founded the Harvard College

– in 1626 the Dutch bought Manhattan island form the Indians for 24 Dollars

– in 1664 the British attacked this Island and took the town of New Amsterdam
and renamed it New York

18th century – country along Mississippi become the French territory – Louisiana

– later Napoleon sold this area to USA for 15 millions dollars

– in 1754 there was a Seven Year’s War – between French and England

– after signing the peace, the French lost Canada and the American Midwest

The Boston Tea Party 1773 – the first attack

– English king pushed up the entrance duty from the colonies

– then started the war of independence of the 13 American colonies

– on 4th July 1776 was signed the Declaration of Independence which was
written by Thomas Jefferson

– the first elected president of independent USA became George Washington

– the capital became Washington D.C.

Colonies – the colonies expanded to the west and discovered the California

– northern colonies: industrial – textile factories, where worked free workers

– southern colonies: agricultural – cotton plantations, black slaves from Africa

– black slaves were unprivileged peoples without laws who must work

Gold rush – gold was found in California

– many of men became rich, but many of them died

– it changed the picture of the west, because many new towns were founded

Civil war – Abraham Lincoln wanted to abolish the slavery and was assassinated

– there was a civil war which is called the North against the South

– this war finished on 1866 by victory of North

Time of prosperity – after the finishing of the civil war

– there were many inventions: Edison’s electric bulb, Bell’s telephone, railway

– the new social rank – businessmen ( factories, banks, mining industry )

Great Depression – the stock market in New York crashed in 1929

– many Americans lost their jobs and homes

– president Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced his plan of the economic and
social policy called New Deal

The First World War – USA wanted to stay neutral

– when German submarines sank Lusitanian, they joined war

– Americans were the ally of Great Britain

The Second World War – the emigrants from Europe came to America

– Americans wanted to be neutral

– they only supported Allies with material

– but after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, they dropped the Atom bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki

– Americans were the ally of Great Britain, France and Soviet Union

After the Second World War – began the great development of the USA

– there were two world’s superpowers – the USA and the Soviet Union

– America financially supported countries of communism

– the USA formed NATO

Cold War – war between the USA and the Soviet Union

– two conflicts between communistic and American blocks:

1. The Korean War ( 1950 – 1953 )

– started as a local conflict

– the Soviet Union and China supported North Korea

– Americans sent their troops to South Korea

– the peace treaty was signed, but it didn’t change anything

2. The Vietnam War ( 1960 – 1973 )

– the North-Vietnamese attacked American destroyers at Gulf of Tonkin

– America sent its soldiers to Vietnam

– there died about 46 000 Americans

– in the USA there is a Vietnam memorial

– it meant the end worst relationship between America and Soviet Union

Afghanistan 1979 – the Union Soviet attacked Afghanistan

– the USA condemned this act

– relations between both countries were impaired

– the presidents R.W. Regan and G. Bush lessened these bad relations