History & Culture Main Idea The United States is the world's first modern democracy The people and culture of the United States are very diverse.
Big Idea Democratic ideas and immigration have shaped history and culture of the U.S.
First Democracy Native Americans Christopher Columbus 1492 Europeans
American Colonies Colonies 1500's Created by Europeans Colony: a territory inhabited and controlled by people from a foreign land. British Empire 1700's Boston New York seaports
Colonies Plantation A large farm that grows mainly one crop Tobacco, cotton, rice Enslaved Africans worked plantation 1776 July Declaration of Independence British Revolutionary War Fought against Britain defeated them in 1781
Independence U.S gains Independence Land east of the Mississippi Expanded west Pioneers: first settlers that traveled west Oregon Trail 2000 miles Lack of food water (scarce) Searching for gold California
Expansion Growth in Population Economy Steel, oil, textiles or clothing Waterways & railroads Immigration increased 's Creating cultural diversity
Wars & Peace Many wars – 1900's – World War I – World War II – Cold War – Korea1950's – Vietnam1960's – Persian Gulf – Iraq
U.S. Member of the United Nation – 190 countries
Government Democratic Government Constitutional Federal Republic with strong democratic traditions – Based on constitution Federal – President & congress local
Rights & Responsibilities Vote Active role in government – Call – Write – – Lobby – Run for office – campaign
Diversity of the U.S Many language Many religions customs
Ethnic Groups Native Americans African Americans Hispanic Americans Asian Americans
Language English – Bilingual : people who speak 2 languages Spanish (17 million people) French, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Navajo
Religion ChristianChristmas & Easter JudaismHanukkah, Yom Kippur MuslimRamadan Hindu Buddhist
Foods & Music Influenced from all over the world – What types of food can you think of?
Popular Culture Movies Television Starbucks MTV