The United States

Colonial History

Earliest inhabitants arrived at least 14,000 years ago from Asia.

Europeans began arriving 500 years ago: first Spanish, then English and French.

Colonial History

In the early 1600’s the British set up 13 colonies along North America’s east coast A colony is a territory controlled by people from

another land

Other early settlers included Dutch and Germans

Around 1619 Europeans began bringing enslaved Africans to the colonies

Traveling overland was difficult in early colonies

Water transportation was the colonists’ main link to the outside world

Colonial History

Nearly all colonial settlements were ports located on natural harbors or navigable rivers

New settlers migrated by sea to growing coastal towns and inland trading posts on rivers

American colonies had regional economies

Southern colonies had climates and soils that were excellent for farming tobacco and cotton

Northern colonies had less fertile land and farming was less productive

The northern colonies became centers for trade, shipbuilding, and fishing

Forests were very important for shipbuilding

Early colonies

Late 1500s, Europeans came to North America and settled along the east coast.

They came primarily from Spain, England, and France.

French came primarily for the fur trade and traveled along the St. Lawrence and Mississippi Rivers.

British settled along the Atlantic Coast and Hudson Bay North ~ rocky soil, so they depended on fishing, shipbuilding, and trade. Middle ~ fertile soil so they grew cash crops. South ~ open land which led to the development of plantations that

used slave labor.

Spanish in Florida and a large area west of the Mississippi. Brought Catholicism with them to convert the natives. Set up farms and cattle ranches.

 

Gaining Independence from the Colonies

The thirteen colonies started to become unhappy with how they were being treated by the British

Eventually the American colonists revolted against the British and successfully gained their independence

Independence and Westward Expansion

After independence, the United States set up a federal system of government

Under the U.S. federal system power is divided between national, state, and local governments

Power rest with the people

During the 1800’s many Americans and immigrants moved westward in search of more and better farmland

By 1830, settlers had crossed the Mississippi River and settled as far south as Texas

Westward Expansion

Some moved to California around 1848 when gold was discovered

Few people settled in the deserts and mountains of the western U.S. or in the plains between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River

By the mid 1800’s the country stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean

In order to promote living in the west the government sold land cheap

However, westward expansion caused conflicts between American Indians and the new settlers.

Economic Development

By the 1830 the northeastern U.S. was industrializing, while the south’s economy was based on crops like tobacco and cotton

Farmers grew these crops on plantations or large farms that produce one major crops

Many southern plantations used the labor of enslaved Africans

Expansion, slavery, and the different types of economies eventually led to the Civil War

The Civil War

The war lasted from 1861 to 1865

The Civil War ended with the defeat of the confederate states

The federal government then moved to end slavery throughout the country

Improvements in Technology

After the Civil War, improvements in technology encouraged rapid westward migration Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869

Allowed people and goods to move across the country Railroads also allowed major cities to develop far from

navigable waterways New Agricultural machinery helped farms produce

more food using fewer people Irrigation and better plows allowed farmers to grow

crops in the Great American Desert Allowed people to move to place that were once

thought not livable

Development of Industries

The development of Industries attracted more people to the country’s growing cities

Some came from rural areas but the majority were immigrants mostly from Europe

Most European immigrants settled in Industrial cities of the Northeast

By 1920 more Americans lived in cities rather than rural areas

The 1900’s

In the 1900’s the United States experienced major social, economic, and technological change

World War I (1917 and 1918)

Great Depression (1930’s)

World War II (1941-1945)

Ever since the World War II the U.S. has been one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world.

After World War II the Cold War began

When the Soviet Union has collapsed in 1991 they have had friendlier relations

Culture Because of the United States long history of immigration,

American culture include traditions, foods, and beliefs from places all over the world

Is one the most diverse countries in the world

Is known as a cultural melting pot

77.7

13.2

17.1

5.3 1.2

Ethnicity

Whites

African American

Hispanic

Asian

Native American

The Arts, Customs, and Traditions

Americans have many different traditions and customs

In the arts, American writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and sculptors are internationally famous

U.S. helped pioneer motion pictures, American movies are shown all over the world

The U.S. was one of the first to build skyscrapers

The style has now diffused throughout the world

MusicMany ethnic and cultural groups came to the United

States and brought their own musical styles

Africans brought the rhythms of Western African music

Europeans brought instruments and harmonies from their native lands

As African Americans migrated to cities in the early 1900’s the musical traditions of Africans and Europeans blended together to form jazz

Other music styles formed in U.S. are: Blues, Rock & Roll, and Rap

Holidays

Americans celebrate Christmas and Easter, which reflect America’s Christian religious heritage

Many American celebrate other religious holidays

July 4= Fireworks, cookouts, and other things

Many local town celebrate local historical events and personalities

Sports

Baseball

Basketball

Football

Golf

Compete in the Olympics

Baseball and Basketball have diffused throughout the world and helped spread American culture

People More than 99 percent of Americans are either

immigrants or the descendants of immigrants

American Indians make up less than one percent of the population

Most Americans are of European descent Britain, Germany, France, and other European countries

Twelve Percent of Americans trace their origins to Africa

Slightly more people identify themselves as Hispanics

Hispanics and Asians are the most rapidly growing part of the population

Languages

Since colonial times, English has been the main language, but the U.S. has no official language

The second most widely spoken language is Spanish, and is particularly common the U.S.- Mexico border

Many Spanish speakers are bilingual New Mexico is bilingual

Hundreds of other languages are spoken in the U.S, particularly in large cities

Religion There are more than 1,200 religious groups in the country

Immigrants introduce many of these religions

Other religions were found in the U.S.

Christianity is the major religion in the country

More than half of all Americans are Protestant Christians

Protestant groups include Baptists, Lutherans, and Methodists

About 25% of Americans are Roman Catholic Christians

About 6 million Jewish Americans live in the U.S.-more than live in Israel

Immigration has increased the numbers of people who practice Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam

Economy

U.S. relies on a global economy.

We have a deficit of around $16 trillion and growing.

We borrow money from foreign banks which mean we are not indebted to them.

NAFTA is pushing jobs out of the U.S. because of the need for cheap labor.

Free Market Economy

Allows people the freedom to own, operate, and profit from their own businesses. 

Developed nations with a high standard of living.

Highly developed infrastructure.

Sustained economic growth.

Highly urbanized.

Highly diversified economy.

Abundant service industries

High literacy rates.

Post-industrial economies focusing on technology and service industries.

Manufacturing

20% of economy and workforce.

Midwest produces automobiles.

Rust Belt ~ once for heavy industry, but are no longer used. Chicago to New York Services 75% of the workforce ~

biotechnology, high-tech industries.

Agriculture

1 billion acres to agriculture.

2% of Americans farm ~ few workers for same reasons as Canada.

Cattle are mostly in the western , southern, Midwestern, and north central states because they have the land needed for it.

Dairy spread to the south because of the new breeds needing less space.

Once the Dairy Belt spread from New York to Minnesota, known as “America’s Dairy land.”

Wheat Belt is in the Great Plains.

Corn Belt from Nebraska to Ohio.

Trade Exports and Imports

The U.S. is second only to the European Union in exports.

U.S. exports chemicals, manufactured goods, and raw materials such as cotton, iron ore, and agricultural goods.

Trade deficit/surplus

The U.S. has a trade deficit because we import more than we export because:

High tariffs raise prices

Growing population needs resources

Industries require energy resources

We may have a trade deficit, but look at our GDP, quality of life, and we still have a strong economy.

Trade

Overall Economic Characteristics

Major exporter of technology, consumer goods, information systems, and foods.

Highly developed infrastructures

Highly diversified economy.

Rich supply of mineral, energy, and forest resources.

Multinational corporations.

Center of world finance markets (NYSE.)

Sustained economic growth.

Widening gap between rich and poor.

Export of U.S. culture ~ McDonald’s, jean, Coke, music

Education

Basic Education is free and is required of all citizens

Nearly all children complete elementary school, and more than 80 percent graduate from high school

Many go to colleges and universities

The U.S. has one of the largest and best systems of education

More than 3,000 colleges and universities are located in the country

Tens of thousands of students from all over the world come to study at universities in the U.S.

Settlement and Land Use

The population of the United States is concentrated in the Northeast, and the first large U.S. cities were located there

The majority of the population still lives in the Northeast, however the country’s population has been moving south and west

This reflects the decline of the nation industrial region or the Rust Belt

Also the warmer areas have attracted more people to the South and the West, known as the Sun Belt

Most densely populated region include the urban areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Coast

Less densely populated regions are rich farmlands and ranch areas of the Midwest and West

The smallest populations live in the desert and mountain regions of the west

Cultural Landscape of the United States

Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, California)

Independence Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

St. Louis Gateway Arch (Missouri)

Wheat fields of the Great Plains

Skyscrapers

Shopping malls

U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, DC)

Regions of The United States

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

Northeast

Is the smallest most densely populated region in the United States

Includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C. and some consider Virginia

Most of the population is concentrated in a urban corridor such as this known as a Megalopolis Megalopolis is a group of cities that have built up into one

large area Example Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,

Washington D.C. all have roads and railways, and air routes that link these areas

Northeast Is the political and financial center and most

industrialized region of the U.S.

The country’s first industries developed here

Early industries used running water from rivers to power machinery and produce textiles, or cloth products

Good transportation connections were very important to independent growth in the Northeast

In late 1900’s manufacturing in the Northeast declined

Cheaper labor in other areas forced factories to close

Because of the decline in industry this area became known as the “rust belt”

Culture of the Northeast

Is the home of many different cultures and up until the 1960’s most immigrants came from Europe

As a result some of these regions have large Greek, Irish, and Italian neighborhoods

In recent decades immigrants have came from Latin America and Asia

Cities of the Northeast

New York City is the largest metropolitan area in the U.S.

More than 20 million people live in the New York area

New York’s natural harbor at the mouth of the Hudson River makes it an ideal location for a port and trading center

New York is America’s leading center of commerce, banking, advertising, fashion, and media

Cities of the Northeast

Boston and Philadelphia date back to colonial times

Baltimore is on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, was founded on the fall line

Baltimore became a major port because of its rail connections to interior coal mines, steel mills, and farming areas

Washington D.C. is unique because it was built to serve as the country’s capital

Construction began in late 1700’s

Government employment is the largest source of income today, followed by tourism.

New York City

Statue of Liberty

Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Boston

Baltimore

Washington D.C.Capitol Building

Washington D.C.Washington Monument

Washington D.C.White House

The MidwestThe Midwest is the country’s major farming

region and a leading producer of industrial goods

The region includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri

The combined population of these states is slightly smaller than the Northeast

The Great Lakes and Mississippi River link the major cities of the Midwest to other regions

Migration to the Midwest

Settlers moved to the Midwest in the 1800’s when transportation routes developed from the east coast

Between 1915 thru 1930 hundreds of thousands African American migrated to cities in the region in order to find work in cities like Chicago and Detroit

Agriculture in the Midwest

Most of the land is arable

Some areas specialize in certain crops

One such region is the “Corn Belt” which stretches from Nebraska to Ohio

Within the “Corn Belt” Illinois and Iowa are the country’s leading producers of corn

Most of this corn is used to feed livestock such as beef cattle and hogs

The U.S is largest exporter of corn in the world

Soy beans are another important Corn Belt crop

Soy beans are used to make margarine, vegetable oil, and tofu.

Agriculture in the Midwest

The “Dairy Belt” is located north of the Corn Belt

The Dairy Belt includes Wisconsin and most of Minnesota, and Michigan

Wisconsin is known as “America’s Dairyland”-produces more butter and cheese than any other state

These products are sold to the rest of the country

Cities of the Midwest

Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest and third largest U.S. metropolitan area

The city has a port on Lake Michigan and is the country’s most important railroad hub

Chicago’s O'Hare airport is one of the busiest in the world

Other cities along the shores of the Great Lakes are Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Toledo

These location give cities access to coal from Appalachians and iron ore from upper Michigan

Each is a major manufacturing center

Cities of the Midwest

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are located on the upper Mississippi River Major distribution centers for the agricultural

product of the upper Midwest

St. Louis, Missouri, is located near the area where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers flow together

St. Louis is a major port city known as the gateway to the West

The South

The region includes Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas

Home of 30 percent of country’s population

South was mainly rural and agricultural

Majority of population lived on farms

Changes in the South:

shift away from rural farm economy

growth of industry, prompted by low wages, cheap land, laws

substantial immigration from Latin America

urbanization

Cities in the South

The Dallas- Fort Worth metropolitan area is the largest in the region

Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans are also transportation and commercial areas

The West

The West is the largest and most sparsely populated region in the U.S.

About a quarter of the population lives in this area

Environmental conditions have played a major role in the history of the West

Much of the areas consists of dry plateaus, deserts, and high mountains

Early pioneers found the region difficult to travel across and inhospitable to live in.

The transcontinental railroad and aqueducts and irrigation systems opened up more areas for settlement and farming

The interior West

Raising livestock has been a major economic activity in the interior west and is combined with wheat farming

The wheat belt stretches across the Dakotas, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas

Mining is key economic activity in the Rocky Mountains

Today Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah are leading copper-producing states

Nevada is leading gold-mining state

Tourism is also important for places like Aspen, Colorado and for national parks such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona

The Grand Canyon

The Pacific States Most people in the West live in the Pacific states.

California is home to some 34 million people, more than any other state

Before WWII the economy was based on farming, forestry, and the film industry in Los Angeles

During WWII, the growth of military bases began to boost the economy

In the late 1900’s the development of computer technologies brought new industries to the Pacific states Many software companies are located in San

Francisco Bay and Seattle areas

Cities of the West

Los Angeles is the largest metropolitan area of the West and the second largest in the country

Smog often hangs over the city because of the number of automobiles and factories

Other major cities are San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, and Denver

Alaska and Hawaii

These states depend heavily on their locations, natural resources, and scenery

The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867

Alaska is largest and least populated state in the US Economy based on fishing but the North Slope oil deposits

were discovered

Hawaii also became a state in 1959

Hawaii is home to many military facilities

Grow crops such as pineapples and sugarcane

Tourism is a major industry

Environmental issues:

huge energy consumption

great waste and pollution

population growth and economic development add to problems (e.g., acid rain)

fertilizer runoff harms marine life

dams and competition for scarce water—key issues in West

Natural hazards

earthquakes on west coast

flooding in many areas

tornadoes in Midwest and South

hurricanes along east coast and Gulf of Mexico

Cities and Population Changes

shift of population and business from center cities to suburbs

some gentrification in inner cities, forcing out low-income residents

major impact of immigration on ethnic and cultural mix, notably in West and South