The History of the USA
The Colonies
- (eg. Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Carolina)
- “New World” - America
- British and French people went first to America, most of them were prisoners.
Reasons, why they come to USA
- They had hope of work, freedom and gold.
- Missionaries come to bring the Christian religion.
- These pilgrims had been forced to leave England, because of their religion (The English people turned into Protestants, other religions had to leave).
George Washington
- 1775-1783
- Became commander of the army against the British troops
- He became 1789 the First President of the United States.
- He leaded into the “American War of Independence”
- The Declaration of Independence was on the 4th of July 1776
- He was Irish.
The Second President was John Adams, the Third President was Thomas Jefferson.
Abraham Lincoln was President from 1861 to 1863.
War of Secession: Civil War (1861- 1865)
The Civil War was the war between the Northern states and the Southern States.
The Southern states had slaves and they lived on agriculture .The slaves worked on cotton plantations.
The Northern states formed an anti-slavery-movement. A Republic Party was formed.
Abraham Lincoln did not want a Secession.
23 Northern states fought against 11 Southern states.
The Northern states were called “Yankees”, and the Southern states were called “Confederation”.
9 Millions of people lived in the South and 4 Millions were slaves.
The Northern states won the Civil War.
World War I (1914-1918)
- 1917 - America declared War on Germany, because Germany sank Americans passengers ships.
- America won the War.
World War II (1939-1945)
- The allied powers (Allies) were
Russia
Britain
France and later the
USA.
- They fought against
Germany (Austria)
Italy
Japan.
- Relations with Japan become very, very bad.
- 1941: The Americans declared war on Japan.
- 1945: They trapped atomic bombs to Nagasaki and Hiroshima
- The American soldiers were attacked by Japanese soldiers in Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.
- Hundreds of children were disabled.
- That was the most terrible event that happened in the war.
Post War America (Nachkriegszeit)
- The Iron Curtain separated Europe in two parts - the East- and the Westbloc.
- Then the NATO was founded.
- America wanted to keep Europe free from communism.
- The Secretary of States invented the Marshall-Plan.
- They wanted to help the Europeans .
- They gave billions of dollars to reconstruct the industry.
- There was permanent hostility between the Superpowers (USA and the Sowjetunion).
- The Cold War ended with the fall of the Iron Curtain (1989).
- Mr. Carthy was a senator.
He was terribly afraid of communism. (McCarthyism)
- Eastbloc:
Hungary
Poland
the former Yugoslavia
The USA
- It is a Republic.
- It consist of 50 federal states (=stars) and of 13 original colonies (=stripes), which became the first states of the Union.
- Each of these states has its own government, judicial and educational system.
- The majority of the population is WASP
W= White
A, S= Anglo-Saxon
P= Protestant
- Blacks: 13-14%
Afro-Americans, non-whites
Blacks are the largest community (group)
- The 2nd largest community are the Hispanic
This is a fast growing ethnic group
Spanish, Portuguese, Mexicans
- Oriental Americans
They come from Japan and China
They are concentrated in California.
- Native Americans
= Indians
They live mainly in reserves
- America = melting pot
Washington D.C
- Washington is the capitol of the US.
- DC stands for the District of Columbia.
- Most civil servants live there.
- A French artist “Pierre L’enfant” fought in the Revolutionary War, he planned Washington.
- The current President, George W. Bush lives in the White House.
- The most inhabitants are black.
- It contains
the White House
the Capitol
the seat of the American Congress
the Headquarters of the FBI
the Pentagon (=office of Defence Department)
the Arlington Cemetery
- Washington is also a place of culture
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Howard University
National Gallery of Arts (there are the most important art collections)
Institutions
- The United States is a federal Union
- The American Government is based on a Constitution (was written in 1787)
- Republic, Democracy
- Only the government in Washington can print money or can declare/stop a war.
Constitutions
- Legislative power
the Congress
the House of Representatives (= Lower House, consists of 435 members) Senate (=Upper House, consists of 2 Senators from each state)
- Executive power
President
Vice-President
Cabinet
- Judicial power
Courts
Legislative power
- Congress
meets in the Capitol
its main functions are to declare war and to make laws, which become effective after the Presidents approval.
The Senate ratifies treaties and agrees to nominations of high officiats.
- Senate
100 members, two from each state who are elected for 6 years and renewed (erneuern) by one third every 2 years
- House of Representatives
435 members elected for 2 years
The President
- He can be elected at most for two four years.
- Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 and reelected in 1996. § The President lives in the White House.
- He is the Head of State.
- He is the commander of the armed forces
- He carries out decisions taken by the congress
- He can act on his own in emergencies and in foreign affaires.
- America’s position as one of the world’s “super-powers” has made its president one of the central figures in world politics.
Elections
- Every four years Americans can participate in the election of the President.
- The Republicans and Democrats are the two main parties.
- In summer before the election both parties hold a convention.
- After the convention each party proceeds (voranschreiten) in the nomination of its candidates.
- The nominees (=people nominated) make their own campaigns and some months before the final election (usually in November) there is a “primary” to select one single candidate for each political party.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a historical overview of the United States, covering topics such as the colonial period, the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Post-War America, the demographics of the USA, Washington D.C., and the structure of the American government.
What were the primary reasons for European colonization of America?
Europeans, including the British and French, came to America seeking work, freedom, and gold. Missionaries also sought to spread Christianity, and some, like the pilgrims, were fleeing religious persecution in England.
Who was George Washington and what was his significance?
George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775-1783). He became the first President of the United States in 1789 and led the country into the "American War of Independence." He is a key figure in American history.
What were the causes and key aspects of the American Civil War?
The Civil War (1861-1865) was fought between the Northern and Southern states. The Southern states relied on agriculture and slave labor, while the Northern states had an anti-slavery movement. Abraham Lincoln opposed secession. The Northern states, known as the "Yankees," ultimately won the war against the Southern states, called the "Confederation."
What role did the USA play in World War I and World War II?
The USA declared war on Germany in 1917 during World War I because Germany sank American passenger ships, eventually contributing to the Allied victory. In World War II, the USA joined the Allied powers (Russia, Britain, France) against Germany, Italy, and Japan. The text notes the attack on Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What was Post-War America like?
Post-War America was characterized by the Cold War, the division of Europe by the Iron Curtain, and the founding of NATO. The Marshall Plan was implemented to help rebuild European industry. McCarthyism reflected fears of communism within America. The Cold War ended with the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
What are the main demographic groups in the USA?
The majority of the population is WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). Other significant groups include Blacks (Afro-Americans), Hispanics (Spanish, Portuguese, Mexicans), Oriental Americans (from Japan and China, concentrated in California), and Native Americans (Indians, living mainly in reserves). The text describes America as a "melting pot."
What are the key features of Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. is the capital of the USA. It houses the White House, the Capitol, the seat of the American Congress, the FBI Headquarters, the Pentagon, and the Arlington Cemetery. It is also a center for culture and education, with institutions like Georgetown University and the National Gallery of Arts.
How is the American government structured?
The American government is a federal union based on a Constitution (written in 1787). It is a republic and democracy. The government in Washington has the sole power to print money and declare war. The government is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What are the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
The legislative power is vested in Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The executive power is held by the President, Vice-President, and Cabinet. The judicial power is exercised by the courts.
How is the President elected and what are their powers?
Americans participate in presidential elections every four years. The two main parties are the Republicans and Democrats. The President can be elected for a maximum of two four-year terms. The President is the Head of State, commander of the armed forces, and carries out decisions made by Congress. The President can act independently in emergencies and foreign affairs.
- Citation du texte
- Christina Wlaschitz (Auteur), 2001, History of the USA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/102109
