The history of the us - The beginning of a nation
Before the first Europeans came to North America, Native Americans sometimes called Indians, were living there. Modern America was created by the early European settlers and by many immigrants who followed them.
The first colony in North America was founded in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia, by the British. In 1620 the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the ship Mayflower. By the late 18th century there were 13 colonies. Over time the colonists were unhappy about having laws and taxes imposed by Britain and began to want more control over their affairs. The War of Revolution broke out in 1775, and the following year the colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained their reasons for waiting to be separated from Britain. At times it seemed likely that the colonies would lose the war, but in late 1871 the British surrendered.
Creating a single government for the 13 colonies was not easy, as each was afraid of giving the others too much power. A Constitutional Convention was held, and in 1787 the Founding Fathers, among them Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, wrote the Constitution, which set out how the United States would be governed.
In the early days of the US many people believed in manifest destiny, the ideal that the US was meant to extend its influence over the whole continent. Sometimes the US bought land, as with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, when France sold its territory in North America. But the US fought a war against Mexico to win land in the South-west, and took land by force from Native Americans.
Pioneers moved west to find new land to farm and lived a hard life on the frontier. Away from centers of government, there was little law enforcement. This led to the famous image of the Wild West and stories of sheriffs involved in gun battles with violent criminals.
During the gold rush, many people moved to California and later to the Klondike in Canada. Some went as prospectors, but many others found that they could make smaller but safer profits selling supplies.
As new lands were settled and became states, the issue of slavery became important. In the southern states slaves worked on the cotton plantations. In the North slavery was illegal. Feelings about slavery grew stronger on both sides until, in 1861, the southern states withdrew from the US and formed the Confederated States of America. The South fought a long Civil War against North, but in 1865 the North won. The South again became part of the US and slavery was made illegal everywhere. The bitter feelings that the war caused, especially in the South , were not easily overcome and may sometimes still be felt today.
Questions:
How were the first Europeans called when came to North America?
When was the first colony founded?
Who were the Pilgrims?
When did the War of Revolution break out?
What did the Declaration of Independence explain?
What formed the Confederated States of America?
When did the North win the war?
What happened to slavery?
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Think about some Funny Cultural Traits
Many people have some funny cultural traits, like superstitions, they consider the thirteenth the unluckiest of days but they don’t know the reasons for that. The origins of Friday superstitions are many. If you read the Bible you will notice that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden on a Friday. Tradition also has it that Noah’s flood started on a Friday, and Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday.
There are also many superstitions about the number 13. In the United States, some hotels have no room with this number, and some buildings have no 13th floor. Some people believe that on Friday, each week, twelve witches and the devil meet, so Friday and 13 make a deadly combination.
In the U.S.ª, if an actor told you “Break your leg”, he wishes you good luck.
Some people believe that :
A boy is killing a spider
A girl is carrying an umbrella on a sunny day
A boy is walking under a ladder
An old man is breaking a mirror;
they are kinds of bad luck
There is a horseshoe above the door
There is a beautiful rainbow
A lucky charm, a rabbit’s foot
A four-leaf clover
A falling star;
they are kinds of good luck
Some famous people have funny traits too. For example, the coach Zagallo believes that the number 13 brings good luck so he likes to use a T-shirt with the number 13. Roberto Carlos prefers blue clothes and he never wears brown. Ana Maria Braga always wears white clothes on Friday.
What about you? Do you believe in superstitions? Would you say superstitions are serious or just silly?