The United States of America
History
- 1000 AD - The American continent was probably discovered by Vikings, but they didn´t
establish permanent settlement there.
- the discoverer of America is considered to be Columbus – his voyage finished in 1492
- the first permanent English settlement in North America started in 1607
- They formed the first 13 colonies, they were under the British control. Gradually the wanted
to be independent.
- December 1773 – Boston Tea Party – Americans threw bags of tea into the Boston Harbour
to protest against the unfair taxes.
- 1775 – 1781 – the War for Independence
- 1776 – The Declaration of Intependence was signed by all 13 colonies.
- 1787 – The Constitution of the USA was signed.
- George Washington – the first American president
- Differencies between the southern part /agricultural, slavery/ and northern part /industrial/
- 1861 – 1865 – American Civil War – southern states fought against northern states
The slavery was abolished in 1863 – most famous person Abraham Lincoln
- 1930 – Great Depression – economic crisis in the USA – unemployment which lasted till the
WW II. The USA didn´t enter the war till 1941 /Japanesse attacked on Pearl Harbour/.
- After WW II – the USA started to be the world´s leading power.
The System of government
- The Constitution divides the powers of the government into 3 branches:
The Executive Branch is headed by the President. The President is chosen in a national
election for 4 years and may be reelected once.
The Legislative Branch – Congress- consists of Senate and the House of Representatives.
Congress must approve bills before they become law.
The Judicial Branch is headed by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court decides if laws are constitutional.
Interesting places:
