History and Governments of the United States and Canada

1- Who, when and how did the first humans get to the Americas? Who: Hunters in Asia When:15,000 years ago How: Crossed a land bridge between eastern Siberia and Alaska

2-Who were the descendants of these people? Native Americans

3-Define: “colonies” Overseas settlements tied to a parent country

4-Which three countries set up colonies in North America? Spain France Great Britain

5- In which parts of North America did each country establish colonies? Spain Current-day southern United States France Eastern Canada, Great Lakes area, Mississippi River Valley Great Britain Atlantic coast; France’s northern colonies after 1763 war

Resented British taxes and trade policies 6- Why did the colonists declare their independence from Great Britain? Resented British taxes and trade policies Declared independence in 1776

7- In what year was the United States officially recognized by Great Britain as an independent nation? 1783

8-List two ways the United States expanded to the Pacific Ocean Treaties Annexed Lands: To declare ownership of a particular area; usually through violent means

9- Who suffered as a result of this expansion? Native Americans In what ways did they suffer? Name 2. 1-Loss of land 2-Loss of culture 3-Loss of life

10- List 3 reasons for population growth in the United States in the 1800s. 1- High birthrates 2- Advances in public health 3- Arrival of millions of European immigrants

11- Explain 3 ways the American economy had changed during the 1800s. 1- New machines made planting and harvesting crops faster and easier. 2- Manufacturers developed the factory system to produce many goods. 3- Roads, canals, steamboats and railroads allowed manufacturers to move their goods to markets quickly

12- Explain how the economy of the southern states led to a civil war. * Northern states built their economy on manufacturing and wage labor. * Southern states built their economy on agriculture and slave labor. * Northerners began to criticize the use of slave labor. * Southerners feared that northerners would try to end slavery. * The election of anti-slavery candidate Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860 led southern slave states to secede, or leave the United States. * A civil war followed [1861-1865] 620,000 killed

13- Explain the Cold War. Who was involved? What was it about? After WWII, the United States and the Soviet Union became the world’s major powers What was it about? Both countries competed for leadership of the world. When did it start? After WWII: 1945 When did it end? In 1991 with the break-up of the Soviet Union

14- Define: “terrorism” The use of violence against civilians to reach a political goal.

15- Explain what happened on September 11, 2001. * Terrorists seized 4 passenger planes * 2 planes crashed into the World Trade Center in N.Y.C. * 1 plane crashed into the Pentagon in D.C. * 1 plane crashed in rural PA. * About 3,000 people died in these attacks.

1-United States sent troops to Afghanistan: 16- What was the aftermath [effect] of September 11? WAR: 1-United States sent troops to Afghanistan: ---Afghanistan’s rulers, The Taliban, protected the group that carried out the attacks on 9/11: al-Qaeda 2-In 2003, U.S. troops overthrew Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, who was accused of helping the terrorists

Who were the first Europeans to arrive in Canada? 17- Who were the first Europeans to arrive in Canada? Vikings from Scandinavia When did they arrive there? 1,000 A.D.

18- In the 1500 and 1600s, both England and France claimed areas of Canada. Which Canadian cities were founded by the French? Quebec and Montreal

19- How did the Dominion of Canada operate? * Canada had its own central government to run local affairs, but * Great Britain controlled Canada’s relations with other countries. ---Under Canada’s central government, the colonies became provinces. Britain held various colonies in eastern Canada. These colonies did not get along, but fear of a U.S takeover forced them together. The Dominion began in 1867.

20-The creators of the United States Constitution wanted a government with limited powers so that the rights of the people would be protected from government interference. To achieve these goals, the creators applied the principle of separation of powers.

21- Explain separation of powers. The power of the national government was divided into three branches: Executive Legislative Judicial

22- Define: “federalism” Power is divided between the Federal [national] and State governments.

23- In the U.S. federal system, people are citizens of both the nation and their state.

24- As a result, citizens have the right to vote for both national and state leaders.

25- Citizens have the duty to make informed decisions when they vote. Citizens also have the responsibility to obey national and state laws.

26- What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights? To prevent the government from taking away people’s freedoms: freedom of speech, religion…

* These representatives choose an official called a prime 27- Explain Canada’s parliamentary democracy. Voters elect representatives to a lawmaking body called Parliament. * These representatives choose an official called a prime minister to head the government. * The British monarch serves as king or queen of Canada. Canada has a federal system of government: power is divided between the central government and the provinces/territories