Thanksgiving Day
• The 4th Thursday of November • A purely American holiday • Origin
– The Indians taught the Englishmen how to plant pumpkins, beans and corn.
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.
• 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
April 19, 1775
A shot was fired in the village of Lexington and thus the War of Independence began.
May, 1775
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and began to take on the function of a national government.
Chapter 1 History
Part Two History of the United States
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
• 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.
• Major issue
– Slavery
Introduction to British and American Culture
Northern vs. Southern
• The Southern states
• Claimed for themselves the Cቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱnfederate States (or the Confederacy)
– 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
Introduction to British and American Culture
Complete a Timeline
• 1763: The French and Indian War ended • 1773:
_______B_os_t_o_n_T_e_a_P_a_r_ty_/_T_e_a_A__ct______ • 1774: The First Continental Congress • 1775:
Background
The British government started imposing new taxes on sugar, coffee and textiles.
They passed many laws such as the Quartering Act and the Stamp Act.
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
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
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
American Indians
• About 25,000 years ago • Descendants of Asian people-Mongoloid • The name “Indians” was given by
____T_h_e__W_a_r_o_f_I_n_d_e_p_e_n_de_n_c_e_b_e_g_a_n____ • 1776:
_D_e_c_l_ar_a_t_io_n_o_f_I_n_d_e_p_e_nd_e_n_c_e_w_a_s_a_d_o_p_t_e_d • 1781:
____T_h_e__W_a_r_o_f__In_d_e_p_e_n_d_en_c_e__en_d_e_d____
from? __________________________________ 3. Which American holidays do you know? __________________________________
Introduction to British and American Culture
Introduction to British and American Culture
The American Civil War
Northern vs. Southern Uncle Tom’s Cabin Abraham Lincoln
Introduction to British and American Culture
The Conflict between Britain and the American Colonists
The War of Independence
Introduction to British and American Culture
The Conflict between Britain and the American Colonists
Time
December 16, 1773
Event
A group of Americans threw 342 boxes of tea into Boston Harbour.
Introduction to British and American Culture
The War of Independence
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
Introduction to British and American Culture
Boston Tea Party
Background
In 1773, British government passed a new law--the Tea Act.
Slogan
“No taxation without representation”
Northern vs. Southern
• Three significant conflicts between the North and South of America.
– The slave problem – Different economic interests – The political conflict
Christopher Columbus.
Introduction to British and American Culture