Early American History Explorers

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Questions and Answers

In which year was the Civil Rights Law established, prohibiting racial discrimination in public facilities?

1964

Who wanted to unite Vietnam under a communist regime?

Richard Nixon

Ho Chi Min (correct)

George H.W.Bush

Ronald Reagan

The Hippie Generation was against any kind of war.

True

____ broadcasted the My Lai massacre where civilians were killed by both sides.

TV Signup and view all the answers

Match the President with their foreign policy action:

Nixon = Vietnamization Reagan = Star Wars defense initiative Bush = Gulf War Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the start of the United States' involvement in World War I?

The sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania in 1915. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the President of the United States when the U.S. declared war on Germany in World War I?

Woodrow Wilson Signup and view all the answers

Wilson's effort to set up the League of Nations succeeded.

False Signup and view all the answers

In 1919, the 18th Amendment prohibited __________ in the United States.

alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Match the following American icons with their names:

Elizabeth Taylor = Actress Marilyn Monroe = Actress Marlon Brando = Actor James Dean = Actor Signup and view all the answers

What were the main differences between the individual sections of the USA?

differences were in economic structures, social systems, and attitudes towards slavery Signup and view all the answers

What did the Missouri Compromise regulate?

it regulated the extension of slavery in new territories Signup and view all the answers

What did the abolitionist movement want to achieve?

the abolitionist movement aimed to abolish slavery Signup and view all the answers

What was the Underground Railroad?

it was a network of secret routes to help slaves escape to freedom Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the battle of Gettysburg?

Turning point of the Civil War Signup and view all the answers

Who was the author of the Emancipation Proclamation and what was it?

Abraham Lincoln; it declared slaves in Confederate-held areas to be free Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Civil War end and how?

it ended at Appomattox Courthouse with General Lee's surrender to General Grant Signup and view all the answers

What do the terms Black Codes and the Separate but Equal Doctrine refer to?

Jim Crow segregation measures Signup and view all the answers

What were the consequences of the Louisiana Purchase?

doubled the size of the USA Signup and view all the answers

What did the Monroe Doctrine say?

America was no longer field for colonization; intervention considered unfriendly Signup and view all the answers

What were the causes and consequences of the War of 1812?

economic reasons, getting rid of British influence in Canada; burnt Washington, D.C. by the British, Treaty of Ghent Signup and view all the answers

What was the Trail of Tears and whom did it affect?

forced relocation of Native American tribes to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), affected Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw tribes Signup and view all the answers

What policy did Andrew Jackson have concerning Native Americans?

Supportive of Indian Removal and the policy of Indian removal from their ancestral lands to the West Signup and view all the answers

What was transcendentalism and who were the main representatives?

spiritual and philosophical movement emphasizing intuition and individualism; main representatives: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Signup and view all the answers

Who were Robber Barons?

wealthy and powerful business leaders in the late 19th century known for unscrupulous practices and gaining wealth at the expense of others Signup and view all the answers

What were the causes and consequences of the Spanish-American War?

causes: desire for Cuban independence, yellow journalism; consequences: Spain lost colonies, U.S. emerged as a world power Signup and view all the answers

What was Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy?

foreign policy approach advocating for negotiation and peaceful resolution backed by the threat of military force Signup and view all the answers

Characterize immigration to the USA in the 2nd half of the 19th century.

Large influx of immigrants, notably from Europe due to economic opportunities and fleeing persecution Signup and view all the answers

When did the first people come to North America and why? Where did they come from?

12,000 to 14,000 years ago; in search of more food via the Bering Strait from Asia. Signup and view all the answers

What were the leading nations sending explorers to North America?

England, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal Signup and view all the answers

Name the most important explorers and the areas they discovered.

Lief Erikson (Northern Canada), John Cabot (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland), Giovanni de Verrazano (Eastern Coast, St. Lawrence Valley), Henry Hudson (Hudson River Valley), Christopher Columbus (Caribbean), Amerigo Vespucci, Ponce De Leon (Florida), Hernando de Soto (Mississippi Valley), Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Midwest Plains), Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (Southwest) Signup and view all the answers

What were the typical features of Spanish explorations of North America?

Spanish explorers sought new routes to Asia, treasure, and spread of Christianity. They explored areas including the Caribbean, Florida, Mississippi Valley, Arizona, and Southwest. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first English colony founded in North America?

Roanoke Island Signup and view all the answers

Which colony was helped by Native Americans and Pocahontas?

Jamestown Signup and view all the answers

Which colony is associated with the first Thanksgiving? When and why did it take place?

Plymouth Colony; took place in Cape Cod in 1621 as a celebration of a successful harvest. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Puritans and what was typical of their colony?

Puritans were a religious group aiming to purify the church. Their colony had strict rules, literacy was encouraged, and a theocratic system was in place. Signup and view all the answers

What events preceding the American Revolution is the city of Boston associated with?

Boston Massacre & Boston Tea Party Signup and view all the answers

Where and how did the War for Independence begin?

Began in Concord and Lexington with the battles of Lexington and Concord. Signup and view all the answers

When and where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the battle of Saratoga?

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point as it led to France openly supporting the American cause. Signup and view all the answers

When and how did the War for Independence end?

The War for Independence ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, recognizing American independence from Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the origin and function of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation formed the first U.S. Constitution but was replaced by the stronger Constitution in 1789. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father and the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early American History

The first people came to North America from Asia via the Bering Strait between 12,000 and 14,000 years ago.
The migration across North America went through three phases: Beringian (12,000 to 8,000 B.C.), Archaic (8,000 to 500 B.C.), and Post-Archaic (500 B.C. to 1600 A.D.).
The leading European countries in exploration were England, Holland, France, Spain, and Portugal.
The reasons for exploration were:
- Looking for an all-water route to Asia.
- New trade routes and the advancement of geographical knowledge.
- Seeking treasure to finance the spread of Christianity.
- The rise of nation states.

First Explorations

Major explorers of the Atlantic Coast:
- Lief Erikson (may have visited Northern Canada in 1000 A.D.).
- John Cabot (explored Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in 1497).
- Giovanni de Verrazano (explored the Eastern Coast of North America in 1524).
- Henry Hudson (explored the Hudson River Valley in 1609).
Spanish explorers of the South:
- Christopher Columbus (explored the Caribbean in 1492).
- Amerigo Vespucci (helped to distinguish America as a new continent).
- Ponce De Leon (explored Florida in 1513-1520).
- Hernando de Soto (explored the Mississippi Valley in 1539-1542).
- Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (explored Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and the Midwest Plains in 1540-1542).

English Colonies

The first English colony was founded in North America in 1587 at Roanoke Island.
The Jamestown colony was established in 1607 in Virginia.
The Plymouth Colony was established in 1620 in New England.
The Mayflower Compact was a document promising to work for the good of the colony.
The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 in Plymouth Colony.

Colonial America

Key personalities of the Colonies:
- John Hancock (richest man in New England and the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence).
- John Adams (later the second President of the United States and a voice of caution).
- Thomas Jefferson (later the third President of the United States and writer of the Declaration of Independence).
- Thomas Paine (advocate for individual rights).
- George Washington (a wealthy landowner and slave owner, leader of the Colonial Army, and the first President).
- Benjamin Franklin (politician, inventor, writer, diplomat, and librarian).

Events Leading to the War

The Seven Years War (1756-1763) was a French and Indian War.
The Revenue Act (1764) increased customs revenue.
The Stamp Act (1765) introduced a tax on official paper.
The Currency Act (1764) made colonial money useless.
The Quartering Act (1765) forced colonists to pay for housing British troops.
The Townshend Acts (1767) introduced customs on tea, paper, paint, glass, and lead.
The Boston Massacre (1770) and the Boston Tea Party (1773) were key events leading to the War.

The War for Independence

The Continental Congresses (1774 and 1775) were meetings of the Colonies to deal with England.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
The War of Independence lasted from 1775 to 1783.
The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war and gave the Colonies their independence.

After the War

The Articles of Confederation (1781) were the first attempt at a Constitution.
The US Constitution was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
The Constitution established the office of the President, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Manifest Destiny and the Westward Expansion

The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the USA.
The Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806) explored the West Coast.
The War of 1812 was fought over economic reasons, the British influence in Canada, and the Indian question.
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) stated that America was no longer a field for colonization.
The Mexican War (1846-1848) was fought over westward expansion.
The Manifest Destiny policy (coined in 1845) aimed to justify the American expansion.

Fights in Mexico and the Mexican War

The Texas Revolution (1836) was fought over the independence of Texas from Mexico.
The Mexican War (1846-1848) was fought over the annexation of Texas.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ended the war and Mexico ceded Alta California and New Mexico to the USA.

American Society

The period of the "Wild West" or of the "Frontier" (1870-1890) was characterized by gunfighters, Indians, and Bank Robbers.
The Gilded Age (1890-1910) was a period of rapid industrialization and economic growth.
Robber Barons (captains of industry) like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt built large companies and trusts.
Immigration and urbanization were key features of this period.

The End of the Frontier

The Stages of settling the West (1840-1890) were:
- Explorers (soldiers, missionaries, and trappers).
- Miners.
- Ranchers (cowboys).
- Farmers (end of the open range and the "wilderness").
The Wounded Knee Massacre (1890) marked the end of the Wild West era.
The Spanish-American War (1898) was fought over Cuban independence.### Economic Policies of the USA (End of 19th Century)
Robber Barons: wealthy industrialists and financiers who dominated the economy
Characterized by: monopolies, exploitation of workers, and government corruption

Immigration to the USA (2nd half of 19th century)

1840-60: boom of immigration from Europe
1845: potato famine in Ireland led to a surge in Irish immigrants
1860s: US government encouraged emigration from Europe to fill army ranks
1880s: immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe (Italians, Poles, Russians, Hungarians, Czechs)
Immigration Statue of Liberty: presented to the US by France in 1886

Spanish-American War (1898)

Causes: expansion and protection of trade markets, capture of valuable mineral deposits, acquisition of land for agriculture, and "liberation" of Cuba
Events: sinking of the USS Maine, yellow journalism, and President McKinley's call for war
Consequences: US acquired control of the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, and Puerto Rico, and Cuba became a US protectorate

Reforms (1890-1920)

Labor laws, building codes, health and safety codes, minimum wage law, and workman's compensation
Women's rights and politics: 19th Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): founded in 1909
"Muckrakers" and investigative journalism: exposed social and political ills

Colonial Expansion and Imperialism

US became a colonial power, replacing the UK
Uprisings and disputes in US "colonies" (Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic)
Construction of the Panama Canal started
Roosevelt Corollary: reinforced the Monroe Doctrine, US would "police" Latin America

Slavery and the American Civil War

1808: import of new slaves prohibited
By 1810: 7.2 million people in the US, including 1.2 million black slaves
The South: large plantations, economy dependent on slavery
Abolitionists: wanted to abolish slavery
Underground Railroad: network of secret routes from the South to the North and Canada
Events leading to the war: Sectional Crisis, Missouri Compromise, Dred Scott Case, John Brown's raid, and the election of Lincoln
The war: 1861-1865, Union (North) vs. Confederacy (South)
Key battles: Fort Sumter, Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox Courthouse
Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery

Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

Increased segregation, racial violence, and KKK persecution
Black Codes: new laws passed to restrict the rights of freed slaves
Reconstruction governments: blacks, white southerners, and carpetbaggers (men from the North)
Jim Crow laws: segregation and grandfather clauses (only persons whose grandfathers were free before 1865 could vote)

Natives vs. Whites

Indian Removal Act (1830) and the Trail of Tears
Battles: Seminole War (FL), Black Hawk War (IL), and the Battle of Little Bighorn
Ghost Dance Movement and the Wounded Knee Massacre
Result: Native Americans were sent to reservations

Progressivism and WWI

Initial US position: isolationism
Woodrow Wilson's efforts: Fourteen Points, League of Nations, and the Versailles Treaty
Causes of US entry into WWI: sinking of the Lusitania, Zimmermann Note, and the need to "make the world safe for democracy"

The Roaring 1920s

Jazz Age, Hollywood, and the Charleston
Prohibition (1920) and organized crime
Fashion and the "flapper" culture
Economic boom: mass production, automobiles, and stock market speculation

The Great Depression and FDR's New Deal

Causes of the Wall Street Crash: overproduction, buying on credit, and speculation
Consequences: widespread unemployment, poverty, and a general economic collapse
FDR's New Deal: relief, recovery, and reform programs, including the CCC, FERA, AAA, NRA, and the Social Security Act

WWII

Initial US position: isolationism
Causes of US entry into WWII: Japanese aggression, Pearl Harbor, and the need to "stop Hitler"
American involvement: Europe (Allies, Normandy, D-Day) and the Pacific (island hopping, Hiroshima, Nagasaki)
Post-war: formation of the United Nations, Marshall Plan, and the Cold War

The Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement

Cold War: policy of containment, Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the Civil Rights Movement
Desegregation of education and transportation
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Brown v. Board of Education and the end of "separate but equal"

1950s-1970s US Politics and Culture

Eisenhower and the Cold War
JFK's foreign policy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
LBJ's Great Society and the War in Vietnam
Nixon and the Watergate scandal
Feminist movement and the Iranian Hostage Crisis### Cold War and Communism
The Cold War was a period of diplomatic tension between the USA and the Soviet Union, characterized by a weapon and space race.
The policy of containment of communist ideology was a key aspect of this period.
Senator Joseph McCarthy's "witch hunts" and "Red Scare" led to a climate of fear and paranoia in the United States.
The Truman Doctrine was a policy aimed at supporting democracies against authoritarian threats.
The Marshall Plan (1947-1952) was implemented to provide economic assistance to European countries, allowing them to postpone debt repayment to the United States and receive necessary goods.

The Conflict in Korea

The conflict in Korea (1950-1953) was a result of the division of the country into two parts by the 38th parallel of latitude.
North Koreans sought to unite the country using military power, while the South received support from the United States.
General Douglas MacArthur played a key role in the conflict, which seemed to drag on endlessly.
After Stalin's death, the Soviet Union lost motivation to continue supporting the conflict, leading to a ceasefire in 1953.

The Crisis in the Middle East

President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, sought to establish friendly relations with Arab nations.
The Eisenhower Doctrine (1957) aimed to uphold the integrity of Middle Eastern nations.
The Middle East Treaty Organization (METO) was established in 1955, but failed to achieve its goals.

American Society in the 1950s

There was a clash between the old and new generations in American society.
Developments in atomic power and space exploration were significant during this period.
The culture was thriving, with the emergence of Rock 'n' Roll, the Beat poets, and Hollywood icons like Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean.
The American way of life was changing, with suburbanization and a consumer society emerging.

The Civil Rights Movement

The sit-in movement was a popular form of racial protest in the 1960s, with the Greensboro sit-in being a notable example.
The March on Washington in 1963 was a significant event, with Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the singing of "We Shall Overcome."
Black militant groups like the Black Panthers and Black Muslims emerged, seeking radical change and rejecting white participation.

John F. Kennedy's Presidency

John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic and youngest president in US history, winning the election against Richard Nixon in 1960.
He founded NASA and the Peace Corps, supporting minority and women's rights, but was assassinated in 1963.
His domestic policy focused on space exploration, while his foreign policy dealt with Cuba and Vietnam.

Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency

Lyndon B. Johnson became president after Kennedy's assassination and launched the Great Society program to fight poverty, improve education, protect the environment, and promote culture.
He established Medicare and Medicaid and signed the Civil Rights Law of 1964, prohibiting racial discrimination.

The War in Vietnam

The US assisted the French in Vietnam, but the country was divided into communist North and non-communist South.
The Vietcong, a North Vietnamese guerrilla army, fought against the South, with US material support.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and Operation Thunderstorm marked an escalation of US involvement, leading to the Tet Offensive and the eventual withdrawal of US troops.

Hippie Generation

The Hippie Generation rejected mainstream values, embracing free love, free thought, and free drugs.
They were characterized by their anti-war stance, communal lifestyle, and interest in Eastern spirituality and psychedelic experiences.

America in the 1970s and 1980s

Nixon's foreign policy focused on Vietnam, China, and the Soviet Union, with a "Vietnamization" strategy and a historic visit to China.
The Watergate Scandal led to Nixon's resignation, and President Ford pardoned him in 1974.
Jimmy Carter's presidency saw the Camp David Accords and the Iran hostage crisis, while Ronald Reagan's presidency was marked by a conservative agenda, economic growth, and foreign policy interventions.

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Test your knowledge of the early explorers of North America, including their motivations, routes, and discoveries. From the Bering Strait to Spanish expeditions, see how well you know the history of American exploration.