American Civilization Week 1: Introduction to AC

Study Notes

What is Civilization?

The process of educating a society to develop its culture
A human society with well-developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time

American Symbols

The National Memorial features four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln
The Washington Monument is in Washington, D.C., honoring the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, advocating for equal rights for African Americans
The Bald Eagle is the national bird of America, known for its majestic ability to soar high in the air

American History

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer and navigator, sailed to the Americas in 1492, seeking a direct water route west from Europe to Asia
Columbus named the land 'the West Indies', assuming he had reached India in the west
Amerigo Vespucci, another Italian explorer, discovered that the newly known lands were distinct continents and coined the phrase 'Mundus Novus', meaning the New World
The name 'America' was derived from Amerigo Vespucci's first name

The United States of America

The United States of America was formed in 1776
The American Motto is 'In God we trust'
The Flag features stars and stripes, with the number of stars changing over time: 0 (1775-1777), 13 (1777-1795), 49 (1959-1960), and 50 (July 4, 1960 - present)
The National Anthem is 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

Geography and Administrative Structure

The United States is a large country, covering 9,372,610 km2
The population is approximately 341,129,084
The country is bordered by Canada and Mexico
The country meets the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans
The largest state is Alaska, and the smallest state is Rhode Island
The administrative structure is federal, with states and counties

The Early Inhabitants

The earth experienced the Ice Age approximately 30,000 years ago, covering North America in glaciers
At least 14,000 years ago, the first American immigrants were Asian hunters who crossed a land bridge from present-day Bering Strait

Description

Explore the concept of civilization and how it relates to the development of society and culture. Learn about the well-developed social organizations and the way of life in American civilization during different periods in history. Discover specific characteristics such as the national memorial to four great American presidents.