VI. Modernizing the Republic, 1920- present.

III. Expanding the Republic, 1820-1860.

As the new Republic was framed, it started to acquire new land, set up new settlements, which gradually developed into new states and were admitted to the Union. The key word “frontier” (meaning “the borderline between settled and unsettled land”) gives the coloring to the whole period and has been shaping the character of the nation ever since.

IV. Uniting the Republic, 1860-1877.

The Union, however, was divided into Southern states (where slaves were widely used) and Northern states (where slavery was prohibited). The issue of slavery had to be resolved, since it prevented the Republic from being one whole. The Civil War, the bloodiest war in American history, put an end to slavery and brought victory to the North. Since then the USA has become one nation, undivided.

V. Nationalizing the Republic, 1877-1920.

During this period the USA started to get interested in foreign affairs. Ironically, the nation, which had recently become independent, started to acquire colonies itself (Cuba, for example). It also joined the 1st World War (against Germans). In short, during this period the new nation started to shape its foreign policy.

VI. Modernizing the Republic, 1920- present.

This period is characterized by extreme diversity, which is probably the key word of the period. Among other things, it is characterized by

- Economic growth, followed by the Depression (1929 - 1933) and global financial crisis (2008- present)

- Series of wars:The Second World War (1941-1945), Korean War (1950 - 1953), Vietnam War (1964- 1972), the War in Grenada (1983), Gulf War (1991), Iraq War (2003), etc.

- Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

- Alaska and Hawaii became states (1959)

- Republican and Democratic Parties form the political life of the USA.

approx. 42k B.C. —Siberian ppls cross the Bering Strait and scatter across North America

approx 10k B.C. —cross the isthmus of Panama into South America

approx 3k B.C. —reach southernmost point of SA

approx. 1000 A.C. —Leif Ericson and crew establish a settlement in Newfoundland, Canada or New England, US (precise spot is disputed) called Vinland

Aug.3-Oct.12 1492 — Columbus’ journey from Spain to San Salvador

around 1493-1502—Ponce de Leon arrives in SA w/ Columbus. He later becomes governor of Puerto Rico

1497, 1499 —John Cabot, commissioned by King Henry VII, sails from England to Newfoundland, south to Chesapeake Bay. The Brits based their claims of Am. land on John Cabot's expeditions. John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) wanted to find the northern route to India. Cabot sailed twice: in 1497 and 1498. His men may have been the first Europeans to set foot on NA soil since the Vikings. He claimed the North-eastern coast for England, that only ever really started exploring the land in the 17th century.

Vespucci also visits America some time or the other and realizes that it sure wasn’t India or China.

1507 — a German scholar Martin Waldsemiller produced a world map, that for the first time depicted America with the feminine version of devout note-taker Vespucci's name.

1513 —Ponce de Leon sets off to find the fountain of youth, instead claims Florida for Spain

1520s —Hernando Cortes conquers the Aztecs

1524 —Francis I of France sends Italian Giovanni Verrazano, who sailed along the eastern coast

1530s —Francisco Pizarro attacks the Incas

1534-36 —Jacques Cartier sails from France and discovers the St. Laurence River, later reaches Montreal when going upstream => France claims Canada

1539-1543 —Hernando de Soto and Francisco Coronado explore the South of the US: De Soto went west from FL up the Mississippi and to TX and OK; Coronado set out from Mexico through AZ to CO and east to KS.

1565 —the Spaniards found St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement in the US

1570-1770 — The League of the Iroquois

1585 —the colony of Roanoke is founded on Roanoke Island;

1587 —the return of the English to Roanoke after banishment by the Native Americans;

18 August — birthday of first white English child in America - Virginia Dare

26 April 1607 —English crew reach Jamestown, the first lasting English settlement in America

1609 —Spanish Santa Fe in NM is founded;

— John Smith meets Pocahontas

1613 —John Rolfe ships the first load of Virginian tobacco to England

1619 —Bride ship arrives in Jamestown; the House of Burgesses is established

1620 —the first 20 African slaves are brought to and sold in Jamestown by the Dutch;

Sept 16 — the Mayflower sails from Plymouth

Nov 9, Dec 21 —Pilgrims (Puritans 30 ppl - Ordinary travelers called «Strangers» 100 ppl) arrive at Cape Cod and found Plymouth, MA

November 1621 —first Thanksgiving (Native Americans Samoset and Squanto)

1624 —the Dutch settle in New Amsterdam (NYC, NY)

1630 —the Boston Bay Area Company settles Boston, MA (Modern Puritans)

1634 — foundation of MD (land owned by the Lords Baltimore; Catholic)

1636 —foundation of Harvard

— foundation of RI by Roger Williams (open- minded Puritan??? is that a thing)

1638 — first American printing press is put together

1664 —the English capture New Amsterdam and rename it into New York

1670 —foundation of NC and SC

1681 —PA is founded by William Penn (Quaker)

1691 —Plymouth and Boston unite to from one MA colony

1732 —foundation of GA

1763 —King George III signs the Proclamation forbidding any further settlement of (establishment of colonies in) America

1769 —Daniel Boone settles KY

1775 —Daniel Boone cuts the Wilderness Road (led to westward movement and Manifest Destiny)

Questions

1. What is the origin of American Indians?Siberia Bering strait 50k yrs ago followed animal herds

2. Why didn’t the Indian tribes unite against Europeans? Give an example of the most successful Indian union. Low density, diff cultures & languages, as well as power structures; too divided to stick together. The League of the Iroquois.