Chapter Ten American History

1. Chapter Ten American History ◎Learning objectives: After completing this part, students should obtain the basic facts about the American history, including the life of Native Americans before the Great Discovery, colonization by major Western powers, American experience in its nation-building, as well as in other major American historical periods. They will also learn why the US is very likely to remain No. 1 in the foreseeable future.

2. ◎Focal points: 1. The life of native Indians and colonization by western powers 2. The causes for American Revolution and its significance; impact of the Westward Movement 3. Causes and impact of the Civil War & Industrial Revolution and Reforms 4. American role in two World Wars and Today’s America 5. American No. 1 status in today’s world

3. 1.1 The Life of Native Americans before the Great Discovery 1. Native Americans

4. American Indians-earliest inhabitants • The earliest inhabitants of the American land were the Native Americans who consisted of many different tribes. They are collectively called Native Americans or sometimes, American Indians. • Scientists believe Native Americans came from Asia at a time between forty and fifty thousand years ago. At that time, Asia and North America were connected by a broad land bridge.

5. Native Americans came from Asia • Native Americans, who were hunters, followed wild animals and came to Alaska without knowing they had entered a new continent. • The hunters spread steadily throughout the continents of the Americas and gradually developed into many tribes, such as Iroquois in the eastern woodlands, Apache and Hopi in the southwest, Eskimo in the north, Cherokee and Creek in the southeast.

6. American Indian Tribes Distribution

7. Many different Indian tribes and cultures • Different cultures developed as the different tribes lived far apart and adapted to the different environments they lived in. Most tribes lived on hunting, fishing, gathering fruits or planting corn, squash and beans for food. Some tribes could build carefully planned villages with many rooms, some knew how to build dams to irrigate their farm land, others could make beautiful pottery and weave textile for clothing.

8. Native Americans were fishing

9. Indian Pottery Indian Rug A Hopi Indian woman weaving basket

10. The Indian way of life • Native Americans had collective ownership of means of production such as land and farm tools. • Some tribes were ruled by women and women determined who could be their tribal leaders. A good example to demonstrate women’s position was that a woman could divorce her husband just by putting his belongings outside her house.

11. Religion of Native Americans • Native Americans believed that everything in nature had spiritual power and worshipped them, such as trees, rivers, rocks and even the animals. • To damage the environment, such as over-fishing or abusing in any way, was to offend the spiritual power in nature and would risk punishment. They had been living a peaceful life for thousands of years, so we are told, until the Europeans came.

12. Plains Native American Religious Ritual 1886 engraving showing Cree Indians performing a Sun

13. ◎Topics for discussion • Find out the similarities between the religion and way of life between ancient Chinese and Native Americans, such as both believed that everything has spirit and man need to live a harmonious life with nature? • What’s your opinion on the American Indian view of banning overfishing or abusing natural resources? Is it a eco-friendly and sustainable way of life? What can we learn from it? • Compare the Indian way of life with the western way of life, which has been influenced by Bible teaching such as “And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein ”(From the King James Bible你 们 要 生 养 众 多 ， 在 地 上 昌 盛 繁 茂 。) Hints 

14. Westerners enjoy a high level of living standards, big house, big cars, jumbo jets, air-conditioning in summer and central-heating in winter, at home, in the office, and a lot of meat, fleetingly changing fashions, various use-and-discard products… • Westerners simply consume too much, times as much as people in developing countries. Some scholars say that the Western way of life has been influenced by the Bible which teaches people to exploit to the fullest extent (man should be the conqueror of the earth) the earth’s resources in bettering their lives and increasing their population and possessions.

15. In traditional Chinese and Native American philosophy, man, being a part of nature, should live harmoniously with everything else in nature. Life should not be wasteful or extravagant. • Many Westerners have come to realize problems in their way of life (global warming and consequent disasters) and try to cut down their carbon footprint and live a more sustainable life. • People in developing countries definitely have the right to improve their lives, but following the western way of life would require resources several times earth can supply. We need to explore a sustainable way while trying to improve the life of the poor.

16. 1.2 Discovery of the New World • Christopher Columbus, was generally believed to the first to discover the New World in 1492 when he sailed west from Portugal to find a sea trade route to India. • Believing he had reached India, Columbus called the native people Indians. That’s why Native Americans are also called American Indians.

17. Columbus, with the aid of Spanish queen, made four trips across the Atlantic, discovered the American continent and started the Spanish colonization, which was followed by general European colonization of the “New World”. The world entered a new era, the era of globalization.

18. How did America get its name? • Another important figure in the discovery of the New World was Amerigo Vespucci. He described the new continent in his letters which were quickly published and widely spread. So many people believed Amerigo had first discovered the new continent and named it after him – America, the Latin form of his Christian name. • Actually many people in other American countries dislike the term “America” to represent only the U.S. , they think they, too, is an American, their countries are also part of America.

19. Zheng He first discovered America? • In 2002, a British historian, Gavin Menzies put forward published his book 1421: The Year China Discovered the World in which Menzies argues that Zheng He first discovered North America, about 70 years earlier than Columbus did. • Menzies tries to support his argument with numerous pieces of evidence, including archeological findings of Chinese articles in North America believed to be remains of Zheng’s fleet such as Chinese ceramics and jade.

20. Zheng He possibly discovered America in 1421.

21. The ancient world map, made in 1763, was believed to be a replica of a map dated 1418 when Zhenghe made his renowned voyages. Six Chinese characters in the upper right-hand corner of the map say this is a “general chart of the integrated world”. In the lower left-hand corner is a note that says the chart was drawn by Mo Yi Tong, imitating a world chart made in 1418 which showed the barbarians paying tribute to the Ming emperor, Zhu Di. The copyist distinguishes what he took from the original from what he added himself.

22. ◎Topics for discussion • Compare Columbus’s voyages and Zheng He’s voyages. Why is there so much difference in their results and influences? • The West began its rise after the Great Discovery while China since then closed its door to the outside world and began to fall. China was forced to open its door after its defeats in the Opium Wars. What can we learn from the experience?

23. 2. Colonization in the New World • Many European countries established colonies in North America from the 16th century to the 18th century. The major colonies were held by Spain, the Netherlands, France and Britain. • 2.1 Spanish colonies-New Spain • In the early 16th century, Spain explored and conquered most of South America (except Brazil), Central America, and the southern part of North America from Florida to California.

24. New Spain included the south of today’s U.S., Mexico, central and about half of South America.

25. New Spain- God, gold and glory • Over these places New Spain was established with a size and population several times larger than the Spain in Europe. • The Spanish came for 3 Gs- gold (to get rich), God (to spread Catholicism) and glory (to serve the king). The Spanish exploited the Indians mercilessly, enslaving them in gold and silver mines where many died or became disabled. The Spanish shipped the gold, silver and precious stones back to Spain. The Spanish rule continued for centuries. Today, strong Spanish cultural influences can be still seen in those areas.

26. The great wealth from American colonies poured in Spain and attracted other European powers. The Dutch, French, and the English followed, explored and established colonies in different parts of North America.

27. ◎Kaleidoscope • Do you know Spanish is widely used in south of the U.S. by Hispanics? Actually the US has the second largest no. of Spanish speakers, just behind Mexico. • Spanish has quietly been used by Hispanics for nearly four centuries in this country, not only by immigrants, but also by Hispanics born within U.S. borders.

28. Strong Spanish culture is still seem in language, food, customs, architecture, and in religion (Roman Catholic Church) in the south U.S. Spanish-style pottery Spanish food Spanish fortress Spanish-style painting

29. Statue was dedicated to Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Spain's admiral, first governor of Florida and the founding father of St. Augustine Fortress built in 1672 by Spaniards to protect the area, first phase completed in 1695. Spanish-style sculpture Church in Spanish style

30. New Netherland (1609-1664) 2.2 Dutch colony-New Netherland New Netherland at the mouth of the Hudson River in 1624, and expanded it to Connecticut and the Delaware River Valley.

31. In New Netherland, the Dutch, French Huguenots and the Swedes, Portuguese, Finns, English, refugee Portuguese Jews from Brazil, and Africans lived together. • They spoke different languages, had different religions, yet they learned to live together peacefully, which contributed to the high degree of religious tolerance and cultural diversity of today’s America.

32. Capital of New Netherland was New Amsterdam, roughly today’s Manhattan, New York. Today’s Wall Street was at first indeed a wall built by the Dutch to defend against the Indians. • The Dutch set up the West India Company, conducted very profitable fur trade with local tribes. The English were jealous, fought several wars with the Dutch, defeated them in 1675 and took over the colony. New Netherland was renamed New York in honor of its owner, the then duke of York, the king’s brother and heir to the English throne.

33. New France included the Mississippi river area, the Great Lake region, and part of today’s Canada (St. Laurence River area) • 2.3 French colonies-New France (in blue)

34. In 1530s, Frenchman Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River for the French King Francis I and claimed French ownership of Canada and the Great Lakes region. • In 1604, France set up small colonies and strengthened the French settlement. The colonial area was called New France. • It was during the rule of King Louis XIV (1643-1715) that the French colonies became powerful.

35. Louis wanted to make France the most powerful nation in Europe and North America. The North American colonies provided the necessary resources, such as timber, fish, and money from fur trade. • In the 1680s, the French explored the vast territory watered by the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers and then built forts and missions through the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi River valley to strengthen the French rule. • In 1690, the French controlled vast interior of North America and by the mid-18th century, New France had connected Canada and Louisiana by a chain of forts and trading posts. The establishment of New France incited action from Britain.

36. ◎Question to ponder: • Did you find any similarity/logic in the naming of the colonies set up by western powers? • New Spain, New France, New Netherland (New Amsterdam), New England (New York).

37. 3. The Thirteen British Colonies

38. The first colony- Virginia- was established in 1607 by the Virginia Company in the hope of finding gold or finding a trade route with China through North America. • The second colony- Plymouth- was established by separatist Puritans who wanted to free themselves from religious persecution in Britain. • In 1620, 102 Puritan pilgrims boarded a ship called the Mayflower and sailed for the New World. The strong wind brought them further north of the planned destination.

39. Pilgrim fathers landing on America

40. Believing themselves outside the rule of any government, the male passengers signed an agreement, the Mayflower Compact to build a self-ruling colony. The Puritans agreed to abide by the just and equal laws drafted by their chosen leaders. • The pilgrims had a hard time in the first winter. Almost half of them died of hunger and cold. They learned to plant corn with the help of local American Indians and had a good harvest the following autumn. They had a big celebration to thank God in November. That’s how Thanks-giving Day came into being and it was later made a national holiday by the U.S. government.

41. Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the Pilgrims inNovember 1621. They sat down to eat together and to give thanks to God for enabling them to survive the hardships of their first year in America. They were joined by the American Indians who had given them seed corn and shown them the best places for fishing.

42. ◎Kaleidoscope Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with a lot of fervor and merrymaking in the U.S. It has become an important occasion for family reunion. Usually there is a big feast including many courses, such as roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, corn, cranberry sauce, etc. People also send gifts to friends and family members, flowers, jewelry, baked cookie hamper, chocolate gift baskets, wine etc.

43. Thanksgiving Parade is held under whatever circumstances and conditions, rain or shine. Important features of the parade are moving stands with specific themes, scenes from Broadway plays, large balloons of cartoon characters and TV personalities, and high school marching bands. The parade comes to an end with Santa Claus's image passing the stands.

45. History of Presidents pardoning a turkey The American National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years. Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson ate the sent turkeys. President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, “Good Eatin(祝胃口好！), Mr. President." But he showed mercy and pardoned the turkey. On the Thanksgiving of 1989, President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey and the tradition has been kept till today.

46. New England colonies, Middle and Southern colonies • The thirteen colonies were generally grouped as the New England colonies, the Middle colonies and the Southern colonies according to their locations. • The New England colonies, including Massachusetts, R.I., Connecticut, and New Hampshire, were mainly inhabited by Puritans. The thin, stony and relatively little level land here, short summers and long winters made farming difficult. The people had to turn to fishing, trade and ship building for a living, since there were abundant forest and good harbors.

47. New England colonies • Puritans in New England were pious and strictly followed the Bible for religion guidance. Therefore they attached great importance to education so people could read the Bible directly. Massachusetts was the first colony to make a law that villages with over fifty families must build a school supported by tax. The practice was followed by other New England colonies. Education remains highly developed today in this region. • Many well-known universities are located in today’s New England, such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, Brown, Dartmouth, to name a few, the highest concentration of well-known top 40 universities in the world.

48. ◎Question to ponder: • Why is education so highly developed in New England and why are so many well-known universities located in New England? • New England have had a long tradition of emphasizing education. Many of the Puritan pilgrims in New England graduated from Oxford and Cambridge who knew the importance of Education and worked hard on public education. • Also the Bible-reading ability was a factor. People believed the Bible was the sole authority, to be able to read the Bible became important. Democracy cultivation among its citizens was another important consideration for the early colonial leaders. Education could help to implant democratic ideas and values in the colonists.

49. Middle colonies • Include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Here, the societies were more diversified, cosmopolitan and tolerant than in New England. • William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, contributed greatly to the success of the colony. He advocated and guaranteed religious freedom, free and fair trial by jury, freedom from unjust imprisonment and free elections in his colony.

50. New York, New Jersey and Delaware, formerly belonged to New Netherland, were later conceded to England when the Dutch were defeated by the English in 1664. • Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore who wanted to build a colony for Catholics because they were persecuted in England. Protestants also came and a law was passed to grant religious freedom to all Christians in 1649.