History and Government of the United States and Canada

The United States

History and Government Early Nation Building First nomads crossed into North America using a land bridge that connected Asia and Alaska. Near the same time nomads from Central and South America were moving north. Their descendents came to be known as Native Americans. Native Americans lives were shaped by their location and climate. They occupied the region unbothered until the arrival of the Europeans in the mid- 1500’s. The Spanish explored the south, while the French explored the northeast. By the 1700’s the British controlled the land along the Atlantic Coast. In the New England Colonies, shipbuilding and fishing industries were very important. The Middle and Southern Colonies were used for cash crops and plantation agriculture. In 1763 France was forced to give much of its North American possessions to Great Britain.

History and Government Early Nation Building Conflicts were quickly rising between the settlers and the Native Americans as the Europeans forced the natives off their land Tension also began to rise between the colonists and the British government. Parliament tried to imposed new taxes and limit the colonists freedom. The colonies won their independence from Great Britain after winning the American Revolution (1775- 1783). The United States government is a federal republic. There is a strong national government, but it shares its powers with the state governments. The rights of the citizens are protected by the Constitution. The national government has three separate but equal branches. Executive, legislative and judicial.

Growth, Division, and Unity In the 1800s the United States doubled in size. They gained valuable land and natural resources Industrialization also began to boom in the 1800s The first factories arose in the Northeast where waterfalls could power machines. Coal from the Midwest was used to fuel steam engines, making steam power cheap. Cotton became a major cash crop in the South due to the growing textile industry. African Americans became very important to clear and work the land. Tension between the North and South mounted steadily until it erupted into the Civil War in 1861. After four years the North prevailed, and slavery was abolished.

Technology and Change In the late 1800s, Eastern cities were becoming crowded, so the government encouraged settlement of the Great Plains. There was also a need for more farmers to provide food for cities. Dry farming Planting and harvesting large areas was made easier by the invention of steel plows and steam tractors. Railroad lines were built to transport manufactured goods from east to west, and food products from west to east. Economic growth was spurred in the 1900s by two world wars. The cost and time to make products was drastically reduced by the development of the assembly line. The population became more mobile and urbanized. Minority groups began to participate in politics and business.

Modern Challenges Modern Challenges After September 11, 2001, terrorism became a major concern for most Americans. After the devastating attacks the United States launched a war on terrorism. In a joint effort, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. After forcing the Taliban leaders from power, the U.S. turned its sights on Iraq. On March 20, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, and by April 3 the Iraqi regime had fallen. In May 2006, a new government had been formed.

Canada

Population Patterns History and Government Early Inhabitants and Settlers Approximately 200,000 natives living in the area when the Europeans arrived. John Cabot and Jacques Cartier helped establish European claims to Canada. Natives picked sides during conflicts between the British and French, and came under their rule. Rivalry over land began in 1670 between Great Britain and France. The two nation’s interests clash over issues along the Atlantic Coast. The British were able to gain control of the Hudson Bay area, Quebec and New France. However, the French were still able to settle the area, and keep their language, religion and laws.

History and Government A United Government Fears of being taken over by the United States forced Great Britain and France to work together. In 1867 four colonies united as provinces of the Dominion of Canada. This was a new country under the British empire. Over the next 100 years, five more colonies became provinces. Canada began as a dominion, but eventually gained its full independence in 1931. Great Britain still held the right to make change to the Canadian Constitution. In 1982 the link to England was finally severed, and a constitutional monarchy is now in place. The British monarch serves as the head of state, but appoints a governor- general to act in its place. Prime minister is the true head of the government. The national legislature includes the Senate and the House of Commons. The Supreme court is Canada’s highest court, and it consists of nine judges.

Expansion and Diversity With the encouragement from the British government, one million British citizens immigrated to Canada between 1815 and 1855. Fueled a sense of French nationalism that grew and continued to surface throughout Canadian history. Immigration from other parts of the world began in the late 1800’s. Sheltered enslaved people who escaped from the U.S., and refused to recognize laws that punished runaways. Expansion came at a cost as Native Americans were forced from their lands. In 1998, the Canadian government apologized and made reparations.

Modern Challenges The FTA and the NAFTA have eliminated tariffs and any other trade barriers between Canada and the United States. The relationship between the two countries has led to economic prosperity, but has also led to some disadvantages for the Canadian culture. Canadians struggle to maintain a separate identity from the United States. Some French- speaking Canadians want to protect their culture.