- •1. The geographical position of the usa, its climate, the major rivers, lakes, mountain rangers, some general information about the country.
- •2. Discovery of America. American Indians.
- •3. The European exploration of the North American continent (Spanish, Dutch, French, German territories)
- •4. The first English settlements in North America.
- •5. The war of independence: its reasons and results
- •6. Territorial Expansion of the usa.
- •7. The Civil War: reasons, economic and social results.
- •8. The War of Independence and the Civil War: differences and similarities.
- •9. The First Half of the 20th Century.
- •10. The Great Depression and the Presidency of Franklin d. Roosevelt.
- •11. The us home and foreign policy after wwii.
- •12. The usa in the modern world
- •13. The American Constitution, the Bill of Rights.
- •14. The structure of the Federal Government. The system of checks and balances.
- •15. The Congress of the us. Supreme legislative body.
- •16. President as the head of the Executive power, the us administration.
- •17. The Presidential Elections.
- •18. The North-East
- •19. The Midwest
- •20. The South
- •21. West
- •22. Education in the usa.
- •23.The usa as a multiethnic society.
- •24. Speak on one of the American Presidents.
- •25. American Culture.
6. Territorial Expansion of the usa.
1783-1861 - the period of ter.expansion, when the US expanded westwards and the colonisation of the amer.continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific was completed.
Louisiana (1 mln m2)– vast territory from the Middle West to the Gulf of Mexico was bought by the US from the French (Napoleon) for 15 mln $, this transaction was called “LOUISIANA PURCHASE” in 1803 (the size of the US increased by 1/3). The Mississippi was the western boundary and New Orlean (by Spanish officials or government) was very import.to the settlers of Kentucky and Tennessee cuz they sold their farm products there when the port of N.O. was open, but the Spanish used to close it sometimes, American commerce could hardly develop there and Jefferson advised the Ambassador to France to make an offer to Napoleon to buy it for 2 mln $, there was no answer though Nap.thought about the matter thoroughly: to lead the war in Europe he needed money immensely, his losses on the iasland of Santa Domingo were immense, he realised that he could no longer use the territory as he had planned and offered to the Usa not only N.O. but the whole Louisiana. The MEANING: the size of the territory gained was enormous (larger than France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal combined!!!).
Florida was occupied by the US troops in 1811, 8 years later bought from Spain for 5 mln – a purchase by force of arms. 1845 – Texas annexed. 1846 – the Americans entered Oregon territory and the whole Pacific coast to the North of California was joined to the USA. In the Mexican war (1846-48) half of the Mexican ter.conquered (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arisona, New Mexico).
By the middle of the 19th ent.the USA reached its present dimensions. Moreover in 1948 The Gold Rush began in California began and people started to move west in search of gold.
7. The Civil War: reasons, economic and social results.
The conflict between 2 antagonistic economic and social systems in the USA: the capitalist System in the north and the Slavery System in the South. (slavery as specific form of am.feudalism) For capitalism to develop slavery should be abolished and political power of planters in the south must be broken + the problem in new territories in the west (slavery or freedom?!), esp. after the Mexican war (1848).
NORTH: industry & manufacture (clothing, furniture), NO slaves, produced expansive products and had the protectionist tax on ones from other countries; larger population=>more representatives in Congress; the Union!; supported Lincoln. SOUTH: agriculture (cotton)=> needed slaves; preferred cheap European products, had smaller population => lost power in the House of Representatives; opposed the Union, created The Confederate States of America; chose Davis Jefferson as the Pr.of Confederation.
1854 – the Republican Party is founded by the northern Capitalists (antislavery and progressive course). 1860 – Lincoln won the Pr.Elections stating that slavery was to continue where it already existed but the new ter-ries were free. Before he took office 11 southern states separated from the Union and formed the Confederate States of Am.with Jefferson Davis as the Pr. April 1861 The Confederate Gov.demanded the evacuation of Fort Sumper in Charlsetone Harbour garnisoned by federal troops. The commander of the fort refused and the southerners opened fire – the war began! The North had the advantage but the South had the support of the br.ruling class cuz it was necessary for the br. cotton industry + talented generals of the south Robert Lee and “stonewall” Jackson + the unity of purpose in the south while the ruling class in the north was confused as Lincoln hesitated to abolish slavery completely. January, 1 in 1863 the EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION was issued (all slaves are FREE!) It was a turning point, cuz the war now had the revolutionary basis. A military turning point was the Battle at Gettysborough in 1863. (famous address of Linc after that: Government of the people, by the people, for the people). In 1864 General Grant was appointed by Linc. as the Commander of the Union Forces=> no doubt as to the victory of the Union, but the south kept on fighting. April,1 in 1861 the northern troops captured Richmond (the capital of the Southern Confederacy). April, 9 in Gen.Lee surrendered to Gen.Grant=the end of the Civil War. 14 April Lincoln – assassinated. Results: 215000 lives, the defeat of the Revolution in the South + abolition of slavery => a slow and long consequence – the reconstruction of the economic and political structure of the Southern States (Henry Johnson – a new Pres.). The Per.of Reconstruction lasted for 12 years, progress of democracy (the Blacks could vote), economic development, bought Alaska in 1867 for 7 mln 200 tsd, in 1869 the first Transcontinental Railway opened the way to a rapid exploitation of the West. By 1890 the Us surpassed Britain and became the leading world power.