American history
The American continent was discovered first by Vikings sailing under Leif Ericson. But they failed to establish any permanent settlements. In 1492 a navigation error brought Christopher Columbus to the Caribbean Sea instead to Asia. The first colonies were founded.
Later the ship named Mayflower brought many English to north-eastern region where they found the colony called Plymouth. They were Puritans – members of a religious sect. They called themselves the Pilgrim Fathers and wanted to build up a colony based on their own religious ideals. The winter was cold and about half of them died. In spring they planted corn and other plants (with help and advice from the Indians). In October they celebrated good harvest and held a feast with much food. They called this day their day of Thanksgiving.
British settlements were built up in the North. During the 17th century many colonists, mostly British but also French, German, Dutch [dač] and Irish settled in the country, mainly along the eastern coast. These settlements became the 13 colonies under British rule.
British government started to charge new taxes on sugar, coffee and textiles to cover the costs of the war against France. The colonists refused to pay taxes and so a group of British soldiers, dressed as Indians, threw a cargo of British tea into the Boston Harbor. This event is known as the Boston Tea Party. The war began. On 4th July 1776 they agreed on the Declaration of Independence written mainly by Thomas Jefferson. The War of Independence finished when retain signed the peace and recognized the USA.
Many northern states abolished slavery but southern economy was based on large plantations where slaves were used to grow cotton, rice, tobacco and sugar. About 60 years of never ending disputes [dis´pjuts] led to the Civil War between the North and the South. It was the worst episode in American history. It started after Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Southern States protested against Lincoln being the President and wanted to leave the Union. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to all slaves.
The North won in April. It was only short after the end of war when Lincoln was assassinated. The war had two main results – it put an end to slavery and America was a single nation. This war however took more American lives than any other war conflict.
In the end of the 19th century and in the 20th century industrial growth started. During this period the USA became the world´s leading industrial power.
The US entered the World War I against Germany and helped France and England.
The “Roaring Twenties” brought large economic growth until the Great Depression started after the stock market crash (in 1929). In the newt decade unemployment was high and poverty widespread. The Depression lasted till the beginning of the World War II. The war was declared against Japan and President Harry Truman ordered the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After the WW II there were several war conflicts, for example Korean War.
The post war period was a time of economic expansion. The US continued as a world leader in scientific, medical and technological achievements. The US had the first man to walk on the Moon – Neil Armstrong. The Earth could hear his words: “That´s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The assassination of President John. F. Kennedy shocked the world.