American Beginning Meaning of being an American According to Grevecoeur the American was a new man with the mixed blood of Europeans or their descendants. This mew man left behind him all the ancient European traditions and received new ones in the New world. In North America, all individuals were melted into anew race of the American. This new man acted upon new principles, entertained new ideas and formed new options. A New Land Two immigration movements to the Americas The American continents were peopled as result of two long

continuing immigration movements,the first from Asia,and the second from Europe and Africa American Indians American Indians,who were mistakenly called by Columbus,moved to the Americas from Asia about years ago. They developed their own aboriginal cultures and some of them such as the Aztecs,the Incas and the Mayas were very advanced when Europeans arrived in the New World.But, as a result of European conquest, the Indian population was quickly reduced and their cultures were ruthlessly destroyed. The forces that brought about the modern development of Europe

1.the development of capitalism,the growth of capitalism produced two new classes – the bourgeois class and the working class 2.the Renaisance 2.the Renaisance (the period of the revival of art and literature in the 14 th,15 th and16th centuries based on classical form),which was marked by a changing outlook on life. 3.the influential force was the religious reformation in 1517,Martin Luther,started to reform the Catholic Church in England,King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and set up the Church of England

the period of the revival of art and literature in the 14th,15th and16th centuries based on classical form

These reforms reflected the rise of nationalism in Europe. The heritage of the settlement of Virginian in 1619,the settlers elected their delegates and set up the House of Burgesses, discuss the enactment of laws,held the first meeting of an elected legislature representive assembly and the meanwhile they bought and enslaved Negroes servants The influence of Puritanism on American culture Puritanism Puritans were those who followed the doctrine of Jone Calvin and wanted to purify the Church of England.They believed that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were

God's chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people The sign of being God's elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find God's will and establish a direct contact with God. These beliefs had great impact on American culture Puritans’ legacies has a great impact on American society and culture to built “ a city upon hill – an ideal community ”,Americans have viewed their country as a great experiment,a worthy model for other nation

a strain of often intolerant moralism Produce American values such as individualism,hard work,respect of education The heritage of the Holy Experiment in American culture William Penn was an English Quaker who wanted to establish a colony for persecuted fellow religious believers. He assured religious freedom and easy terms for land in Pennsylvania to those Europeans who wished to settle in his colony. In his Holy Experiment, he encouraged the spirit of liberty and equality and carried out the policy of separation

of state and church. He set no restrictions on immigration and naturalization was made easy for non- English Europeans. All this has left rich heritage to American culture. The Causes of American revolution the Peace of Paris gave Britain title to Canada and all of North America east of the Mississippi River; with passage of Stamp Act,British government charged new taxes on sugar, coffee, textiles and other imported goods;and news papers,pamphlets, legal documents and licenses The Quartering Act passed the colonies to house and feed British soldiers major leaders

British soldiers. major leaders George Washington,Thomas Jefferson,Benjamin Franklin the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also explained the philosophy of governments: the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments was to secure the rights men- tioned above, The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke:

the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also explained the philosophy of governments: the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of

governments was to secure the rights mentioned above, The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke. Questions for thought 1.How did the modern development in Europe influence the settlement of North American colonies? 2.In what way did Puritanism influence American culture? 3.What was the unique American phenomenon?