Brief Introduction to the US美国简介PPT课件.ppt

* A Brief Introduction to The United States basic information 1.Name: the United States of America; the United States; the U.S.; America; 2.Size: about 9.4 million km2; the fourth largest country; 50 states and a federal district—the District of Columbia—the seat of the Federal Government; basic information 3.National anthem: The Star Spangled Banner (《星条旗永不落》) 4. National Flag :the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory. 5. National Emblem: The Bald Eagle was the National Emblem of the United States . The Bald Eagle has since become the living symbol of the U.S.A.s freedom, spirit and pursuit of excellence. basic information 6.The capital :Washington D.C 7.The symbol :Uncle Sam 8.People WASPs: WHITE Anglo-Saxon Protestants; minorities: the black; Indians; Hispanics; Chinese-Americans; Jews; the Melting Pot—the mixture and assimilation of different races that have immigrated into the USA. HISTORY In 1788, 13 colonies become the United States of America The Louisiana Purchase （1803） By 1837, new states have been created around the Mississippi. By 1850, Oregon and California become states. 1843: One thousand people travel to Oregon 1848: USA wins Texas in the Mexican War 1849: California gold rush 1862: A new law gives free land to settlers free and slave states (1860) Union States and Confederation States Territory Expansion of American  By 1912, all states except Alaska and Hawaii have been created. CULTURE * * * The process of expansion to the west. Over the 25 years following the opening of the Oregon Trail, more than half a million settlers migrated along this road. There were already some settlers in Texas at the time of the Mexican War, but victory convinced even more settlers to go there. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres to settlers for free (under certain conditions), and this was later increased, until eventually 6