A Brief History of the United States: From Native Americans to Modern Times
1. The First Americans
Where did the first Native Americans come from?
The Native Americans likely arrived in Alaska from Asia, migrating to North America around 16,000 years ago.
2. North America Today
What countries make up North America nowadays?
Canada, Mexico, and the United States make up the North American continent.
3. English Colonization
What was the first English colony in North America?
The first English colony was Jamestown, founded in 1607 in Virginia. The colonists hoped to find gold.
How did that colony become rich?
Jamestown prospered by cultivating tobacco.
Who was Squanto? What did he do?
Squanto was a Native American who helped the colonists survive and taught them how to hunt and cultivate the land.
Name at least 8 of the 13 original colonies.
- Maryland
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- New Hampshire
4. The American Revolution
What happened at the “Boston Tea Party” and why?
In 1773, 342 chests of tea were thrown into the sea by American colonists in Boston. This act of protest was a response to British taxes on tea and symbolized the growing discontent with British rule.
What is the importance of Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
What rights does the “Declaration of Independence” defend?
The Declaration of Independence defends the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
5. The Early Republic
What happened in 1803?
Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States. He also oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring a vast territory from France in the Midwest.
Who were Lewis and Clark?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were explorers who led an expedition across America to the Pacific Ocean, mapping the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.
6. Westward Expansion and the Civil War
What happened in 1848?
The United States gained Texas and the Southwest after the Mexican-American War.
What is the symbolism of the American flag?
The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the stars represent the 50 states.
What tensions existed between the Southern and the Northern states in the middle of the 19th century?
The Southern states relied on enslaved labor for their agricultural economy, particularly cotton production, while slavery was abolished in the North. This fundamental difference led to increasing tensions and ultimately the Civil War.
What is the importance of Abraham Lincoln?
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He led the country through the Civil War and abolished slavery.
What advantages did the South have?
The South had experienced military leaders and a strong agricultural economy based on cotton exports to Britain.
What advantages did the North have?
The North had a larger population, a more industrialized economy, and a strong leader in Abraham Lincoln.
What happened 4 days after the Civil War was over?
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre.
What does the text say about Lincoln’s successor?
Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, struggled to unite the North and South during Reconstruction. Racial tensions and disagreements over the rights of formerly enslaved people persisted.
7. The American West
How was the real life of the cowboys?
Cowboys worked hard herding cattle. Contrary to popular depictions, at least a quarter of them were Black or Mexican.
Who was Laura Ingalls Wilder? What did she write about?
Laura Ingalls Wilder was an author who wrote about her family’s experiences settling in the American West. Her most famous book is “Little House on the Prairie.”
What was the Pony Express? How did it work?
The Pony Express was a mail delivery service that used riders on horseback to transport mail across the country, primarily between Missouri and California.
Who was Buffalo Bill?
Buffalo Bill Cody was a famous frontiersman, scout, and showman. He was known for his Wild West shows that depicted life in the American West.
What are the ‘reservations’? How are they?
Reservations are designated areas of land where Native American tribes were relocated. Conditions on reservations have often been challenging, with limited resources and opportunities.
Who are the Hopi, the Zuni, and the Navajo? What are they famous for?
The Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo are Native American tribes of the Southwest. The Navajo are known for their weaving and their unique language, which was used as a code by the US military during World War II.
8. Immigration and Social Change
What kind of people immigrated to the USA between 1840 and 1930? Why did they come?
Millions of immigrants from Europe and Asia came to the United States seeking economic opportunities and a better life.
What problems did the Chinese immigrants encounter?
Chinese immigrants faced discrimination and prejudice, particularly during the California Gold Rush in 1848.
What is the Ku Klux Klan?
The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist hate group that has used violence and intimidation to terrorize Black Americans and other minority groups.
What is To Kill a Mockingbird?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee that explores racial injustice in the American South during the 1930s.
Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent protest and racial equality.
9. Politics and Culture
What are the two most important political parties in the US? What do they believe?
The two major political parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Republicans generally favor conservative policies, while Democrats generally favor liberal policies.
Who was Edward Hopper? What is he famous for?
Edward Hopper was an American realist painter and printmaker. He is known for his depictions of everyday American life, often with a sense of loneliness and isolation.
How much vacation time do Americans usually get per year?
Americans typically get two weeks of vacation per year, in addition to holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What happens if you are unemployed in the USA?
The government provides unemployment benefits, but they are often insufficient to cover all living expenses.
What is a ‘tip’ and why is it so important in the USA?
A tip is an extra amount of money given to service workers, such as restaurant servers and taxi drivers. Tips are an important part of their income.
What was the Model T?
The Model T was the first affordable automobile produced by Ford Motor Company, making car ownership accessible to the average American.
What influence does religion have in schools?
The United States has a separation of church and state, meaning that no religion is taught or promoted in public schools.
What is the Mall of America?
The Mall of America is one of the largest shopping malls in the world, located in Minnesota.
Into what 3 stages is school divided?
The American education system is typically divided into elementary school, middle school (or junior high school), and high school.
What is the Americans’ favorite sport and how do you play it?
Baseball is a popular sport in the United States. It is played with two teams of nine players who try to score runs by hitting a ball and running around a series of bases.
What does the text say about American eating habits?
The text suggests that many Americans are overweight, possibly due to consuming too much fast food.
What is ‘sunny side up’? And ‘over easy’?
Sunny side up refers to eggs cooked with the yolk facing up and not flipped. Over easy refers to eggs flipped and cooked until the yolk is still runny.
What is the minimum age for buying alcoholic drinks in the USA?
The minimum drinking age in the United States is 21.
10. Music
What are the roots of the blues?
The blues originated from the work songs and spirituals of African American slaves in the South.
What is ‘Motown’? And why is it called that way?
Motown is a record label that produced soul music in Detroit, Michigan. The name is a shortened version of “Motor Town,” referencing Detroit’s automobile industry.
What are the origins of jazz?
Jazz originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It blended elements of African and European musical traditions.
What happened in New Orleans in 2005?
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, causing widespread flooding and loss of life.
What are the origins of ‘country’? What city is famous as the home of ‘country’ music?
Country music has its roots in folk music from the rural South. Nashville, Tennessee, is known as the home of country music.
What are the origins of rap? What topics does it deal with?
Rap music originated in the Bronx, New York, in the 1970s. It developed from the hip-hop culture and often addresses social and political issues, as well as personal experiences.
11. American Cities
Name three places or persons that Boston is famous for.
- The Kennedy family
- The Freedom Trail
- Harvard University
Name four sights (past or present) or areas in New York City.
- Central Park
- The Empire State Building
- Fifth Avenue
- The World Trade Center
What is special about Washington DC?
Washington DC is the capital of the United States and the center of the federal government.
Say three things the book says about Chicago.
- Chicago is located in the state of Illinois.
- It is a major transportation hub.
- It has a rich architectural history.
Say two things the book says about Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas is located in the hot, dry state of Nevada.
- It is famous for its casinos and entertainment industry.
The author calls California “a state of differences” (p. 45). Why?
California has a diverse geography, with hot deserts, snowy mountains, and coastal regions.
What two famous groups of people lived in San Francisco in the 1950s and the 1960s? What kinds of people were they?
The Beatniks and the Hippies were countercultural movements that embraced nonconformity and artistic expression.
What are two of the problems of Los Angeles?
- Traffic congestion
- High crime rates
Who were Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler?
Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler were famous crime fiction writers.
Name three places you can visit in (or near) Los Angeles.
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios
- Paramount Studios
Name two American national parks.
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
What is Ansel Adams famous for?
Ansel Adams was a renowned photographer known for his black-and-white landscape photographs, particularly of the American West.
Name 2 states that are in the Rocky Mountains.
- Colorado
- Utah
What is Old Faithful?
Old Faithful is a famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
What is the most famous sight in Arizona? How was it created?
The Grand Canyon is the most famous sight in Arizona. It was created by the Colorado River eroding the landscape over millions of years.
Who wrote famous stories and books about life on and around the Mississippi River? Name one of his books or characters.
Mark Twain wrote about life on the Mississippi River. One of his famous characters is Huckleberry Finn.
Why is autumn the best time to visit New England?
Autumn in New England is known for its vibrant fall foliage.
Name two things that you can visit or do in Florida.
- Walt Disney World
- The Kennedy Space Center
What are the pros and cons of visiting Alaska in winter?
Pros: You can see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Cons: It is very cold and dark.
Name two things that you can do or see in Hawaii.
- Enjoy the beaches
- Explore the volcanic landscapes and rainforests