America’s History

America in the Colonial Era Amerigo Vespucci discovered the continent of South America. The first English colony in North America: Jamestown, Virginia, , Pilgrim Fathers. By 1773, English settlers had occupied 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast. Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) ( ) “No taxation without representation”

The War of Independence April19,1775, Lexington, the first shots in the American War of Independence May 1775, the Second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia and began to assume the functions of a national government. George Washington: founded the Continental Army and Navy Thomas Jefferson: drafted the Declaration of Independence. The philosophy behind the war: “life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” October 19,1781, the war ended. The US won its independence in 1783 with the signing of Treaty of Paris

The Civil War ( ) The South supported slavery. The land was abundant and suitable for farming, and the planters regarded the slaves as their property. The North opposed slavery. There was a growing demand for labor to work in factories. Some Northerners wanted to get former slaves from the South.

Abraham Lincoln: first priority was to keep the United States as one country; freedom for black people was a secondary objective. On Jan.1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation 《解放宣言》. July, 1863, turning point of the war at Gettysburg. Two achievements: abolish slavery, unify America as a single and indivisible nation.

America in the 20th Century In the beginning of the two world wars: neutrality In the 1920s, a short-term development : the Great Depression 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt: New Deal In 1940, American began to change its stance. In 1941, the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor was the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war. In 1944, American and British forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. In May 1945, Germany surrendered. In August 1945, Japan surrendered.

Postwar period Cold War North Atlantic Treaty Organization, The Korean War ( ) The Vietnam War( ) Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon.

Nixon( , Republican) Bring the Vietnam War to a close. Reestablish China-U.S. relations. Negotiate the first Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the former Soviet Union. The only U.S. President to resign from office due to the Watergate Scandal. Ronald Reagan( , Republican) Tight money policy Economic recovery and steady development. George H. W. Bush( , Democrat) Operation Desert Storm Bill Clinton( , Democrat) Vigorous economic development Low unemployment North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993 Sex scandal in 1998 The largest budget surplus in 30 years

America in the 21st Century George W.Bush( ) Sept. 11 attack in 2001 Attacked the Taliban regime in 2001 Invaded Iraq in 2003

Multiple choices 1. The first successful English colony in North America was founded at_______in ________. A. Jamestown, Louisiana B. Boston, Massachusetts C. Jamestown, Virginia D. Plymouth, Georgia

2. Pilgrim Fathers are a group of ______ who came to America to avoid persecution in England. A. Protestants B. Puritans C. Catholics D. Christians

3. The Seven Years’ War occurred between the ______. A. French and American Indians B. French and Spaniards C. French and British D. British and American Indians

4. “No taxation without representation” was the rallying slogan of _______. A. the settlers of Virginia B. the people of Pennsylvania C. the colonists in New England D. the people of the 13 colonies

5. The first shots of the American War of Independence were fired in ______. A. Concord B. Lexington C. Philadelphia D. Boston

6. In May 1775, ___was held in Philadelphia and began to assume the functions of a national government. A. the First Continental Congress B. the Second Continental Congress C. the Boston Tea Party D. the Congress of Confederation

7. Abraham Lincoln issued_____ to grant freedom to all slaves. A. Declaration of Independence B. Constitution C. Emancipation Proclamation D. Bill of Rights

8. The policy of the United States was____ at the beginning of the two world wars. A. neutrality B. full involvement C. partial involvement D. appeasement

9. President____ applied New Deal to deal with the problems of the Great Depression. A. Wilson B. Truman C. Roosevelt D. Kennedy

10. The Vietnam War was a long-time suffering for Americans, and it continued throughout the terms of Presidents____. A. Johnson, Nixon and Ford B. Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy C. Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon D. Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson