part one

The first colonization started years ago The first inhabitants of this area were Native Americans = Indians They settled all parts of today’s USA The sources of their livelihood were hunting, fishing and later agriculture

Leif Erickson - the first discoverer of America - about year 1000, Newfoundland - Vikings did not settle there because of Indians Christopher Columbus - the second discoverer of America - October 1492, Caribbean - Columbus wanted to find western way to India - from this day, America became colonial land for many European countries

The colonial period started during the reign of Elizabeth I. Virginia - the first colony, all settlers died because of lack of food Jamestown - the first colony which was built in 1607 Other colonies were built in 17th century

Puritans = group of English Protestants - they wanted to reform the new Church of England Pilgrim Fathers – 102 Puritans, who came to America in they were afraid of religious persecution - ship Mayflower - settled at the place where Massachusetts is now Thanksgiving day – celebration of the first harvest - Indians were invited to the feast, because they helped Puritans survive winter and taught them how to plant - every 4th Thursday in November

1626 – the Dutch bought Manhattan island from the Indians for 24 dollars 1664 – the British attacked Manhattan and took the town of New Amsterdam and renamed it New York

Country along the Mississippi became the French territory – Louisiana Later Napoleon sold this area to USA for 15 million dollars Seven Years´ War ( ) - between French and England - after signing the peace, France lost Canada and the American Midwest

16th December 1773 Political protest a group of Massachusetts colonist disguised as Indians threw the boxes of tea from British ship to the sea a protest against the duties imposed on tea it was start of The War of Independence

1775 – – 1st Continental Congress (Philadelphia) - boycott of English goods was declared 1775 – 2nd Continental Congress (Philadelphia) - army was set up (leader was George Washington) = the war began 1776 – the Declaration of Independence - written by a lawyer Thomas Jefferson 1781 – the war ended - Washington with the help of France defeated Britain at Yorktown George Washington = first president of USA Washington D.C. = capital city of USA

George WashingtonThomas Jefferson

Gold was first discovered in California 1848 – around 6,000 people arrived in California 1849 – around 90,000 people arrived in California - they came from all around the world Many of men became rich, but many of them died Other gold rushes: Comstock rush in Colorado Klondike gold rush in Alaska Many new towns in the west were founded

1861 – 1865 Triangular Trade - Europeans took slaves from Africa to America North – wanted to set Negroes free South – defended the slavery and left the Union - they formed the Confederacy (president Jefferson Davis) The North was stronger and defeated South 1863 – Abraham Lincoln abolished the slavery