American HistoryA Brief Introduction

The First Americans• 15,000 years ago, hunter gatherers crossed a land bridge

between present day Russia and Alaska. • These people will become known as Native Americans

Columbus discovers America in 1492.

1500’s-1700’s• Imperialistic European

countries set up colonies in the Americas

• Colony – an overseas settlement tied to a parent country

• Imperialism – controlling other countries (often to control their resources)

• Groups of people from England travel to America and live there because they don’t like the king or his laws.

• 13 colonies are formed on the East Coast

Slavery becomes an important part of the American economy. In 1750, 25% of people in America are slaves.

In 1776, Americans declare independence from England. The Revolutionary War begins.

The Revolutionary War lasts 9 years, and America is free from England.

US acquires new territory• Middle of the country purchased from France – early 1803• Many Southwestern and Western states annexed from Mexico in

mid 1800’s* Annex = to take control of a territory or place

US acquires new territory• Northwest corner of US purchased from Britain in mid 1800’s• Alaska purchased from Russia in 1867• Hawaii annexed in 1898

In 1860, the Civil War begins when 11 states leave the Union .

The Civil War ends in 1865, with over 700,000 dead, but with the Union victory, the country remains whole.

1914—1918 (US = only 1917-1918)World War I: America loses over 118,000 soldiers.

1939—1945 (US = 1941-1945)World War II: America enters the war after the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

1945 – US drops two atomic bombs on Japan to end WWII

1960’s The Civil Rights Movement; African-Americans are protected under the law from discrimination and allowed to vote in the USA.

1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated.

September 11th, 2001

• A series of attacks by 19 members of al-Qaeda on NY and Washington, DC

• Starts the “War on Terror” when US invades Afghanistan to depose the Taliban (the government that supported al-Qaeda)

• Terrorism – the use of violence by individuals or groups to reach political goals

Symbols of America Today…

Eagle = Strength, Freedom

Statue of Liberty =Freedom, Hope, and Friendship between Countries

• One of the first things seen by immigrants who mostly entered through NY city

Washington Monument

Golden Gate BridgeSan Francisco, California

Gateway Arch St. Louis, Missouri• Honors

Western expansion of the US

Tallest arch in the world.