American history

The first colonization - it started 15 000 years ago
     - the first inhabitants of this area were Native Americans - Indians
     - they came from Siberia across a land bridge to Alaska
     - they settled all parts of today’s USA
     - the sources of their livelihood were hunting, fishing and later agriculture

The first discovery of America continent - it was in the year 1000 A.D.
     - the inhabitants were Vikings under the leadership of Leif Erickson
     - they didn’t settle there, because they didn’t be able to attack to Indians

The second discovery of America continent - it was in October 1492
     - the discoverer was Christopher Columbus and his expedition
     - they discovered Caribbean
     - Columbus wanted to find western way to India
     - he proclaimed it as a Spanish territory
     - from this day, America became colonial land for many European countries

Colonies - the colonial period started during the reign of Elizabeth I.
     - the first colony was established in 1584 in Virginia
     - all settlers died because of lack of food
     - the first town was Jamestown which was built in 1607
     - other colonies were built in 17th century

Pilgrim Fathers - he came from Britain to America in 1620
     - they looked for religious freedom
     - they made friends with Indians and settled here
     - they eat roasted turkey, apple or pumpkin pie and gave thanks God
     - they celebrate the great harvest on fourth Thursday in November ( now festival )

17th century - in 1636 was founded the Harvard College
     - in 1626 the Dutch bought Manhattan island form the Indians for 24 Dollars
     - in 1664 the British attacked this Island and took the town of New Amsterdam
       and renamed it New York

18th century - country along Mississippi become the French territory - Louisiana
     - later Napoleon sold this area to USA for 15 millions dollars
     - in 1754 there was a Seven Year’s War - between French and England
     - after signing the peace, the French lost Canada and the American Midwest

The Boston Tea Party 1773 - the first attack
     - English king pushed up the entrance duty from the colonies
     - then started the war of independence of the 13 American colonies
     - on 4th July 1776 was signed the Declaration of Independence which was
       written by Thomas Jefferson
     - the first elected president of independent USA became George Washington
     - the capital became Washington D.C.

Colonies - the colonies expanded to the west and discovered the California
     - northern colonies: industrial - textile factories, where worked free workers
     - southern colonies: agricultural - cotton plantations, black slaves from Africa
     - black slaves were unprivileged peoples without laws who must work

Gold rush - gold was found in California
     - many of men became rich, but many of them died
     - it changed the picture of the west, because many new towns were founded


Civil war - Abraham Lincoln wanted to abolish the slavery and was assassinated
    - there was a civil war which is called the North against the South
    - this war finished on 1866 by victory of North

Time of prosperity - after the finishing of the civil war
    - there were many inventions: Edison’s electric bulb, Bell’s telephone, railway
    - the new social rank - businessmen ( factories, banks, mining industry ) 

Great Depression - the stock market in New York crashed in 1929
    - many Americans lost their jobs and homes
    - president Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced his plan of the economic and
      social policy called New Deal

The First World War - USA wanted to stay neutral
     - when German submarines sank Lusitanian, they joined war
     - Americans were the ally of Great Britain

The Second World War - the emigrants from Europe came to America
     - Americans wanted to be neutral
     - they only supported Allies with material
     - but after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, they dropped the Atom bombs on
       Hiroshima and Nagasaki
     - Americans were the ally of Great Britain, France and Soviet Union

After the Second World War - began the great development of the USA
     - there were two world’s superpowers - the USA and the Soviet Union
     - America financially supported countries of communism
     - the USA formed NATO

Cold War - war between the USA and the Soviet Union
     - two conflicts between communistic and American blocks:
    1. The Korean War ( 1950 - 1953 )
        - started as a local conflict
        - the Soviet Union and China supported North Korea
            - Americans sent their troops to South Korea
            - the peace treaty was signed, but it didn’t change anything
    2. The Vietnam War ( 1960 - 1973 )
            - the North-Vietnamese attacked American destroyers at Gulf of Tonkin
            - America sent its soldiers to Vietnam
            - there died about 46 000 Americans
            - in the USA there is a Vietnam memorial
            - it meant the end worst relationship between America and Soviet Union

Afghanistan 1979 - the Union Soviet attacked Afghanistan
     - the USA condemned this act
     - relations between both countries were impaired
     - the presidents R.W. Regan and G. Bush lessened these bad relations