大學(xué)英語(yǔ)課件之英美文化8Discovery of the New World

1、US Chapter 8Discovery of the New WorldColonization of the New WorldAmerican Revolution Warm-upWho first discovered the New World? Why did the French agree to help Americans during the War of Independence? Can you describe the Statue of Liberty?Discovery of the New WorldToday people usually think tha

2、t it was Christopher Columbus who discovered the New World in 1492.BUT his discovery is actually a rediscovery or effective discovery of America.About A.D.1000, the Norsemen happened to discover America, but their contact did not exert great influence in Europe. WHY?Because Europe was then poor, pol

3、itically fragmented, disturbed by local wars and civil disorder, and largely illiterate.In short, Europe was then incapable of responding to the Norse discovery.But by the end of 15th century, the modern European world was formed.The modern Europe was marked by: The rapid growth of trade and commerc

4、e; the rise of the middle class (bourgeoisie); Renaissance (no longer indulge in religion )Colonization of the New WorldThe New World was a great and rich land.North and South America together made up an area almost as large as Africa and Europe combined. In this New World there were all those resou

5、rces necessary for agricultural and industrious development: fertile lands, great forests, all the essential metals and minerals, huge coal and oil supply and rivers rich in water power.So Quite NaturallyThe ruling class of Europe fell upon this rich land greedily.English, French, Spanish and Portug

6、uese had overrun the continent only 50 years after Columbuss discovery. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a growing number of English people realized that the New World was their ideal place to: make their fortunes, to escape political and religious persecution, or to get large landholdings.The

7、 Early British SettlersAlong the Atlantic seacoast they gradually built up 13 colonies.The first colony, Virginia, was named after_. The last one, Georgia, was named after _. Each was allocated with a governor, under British rule.Society in the 13 colonies was like a pyramid. The top was made up of

8、merchants and landlords. The base was made up of refugees from Europe, black slaves from Africa and native Indians.The Invaders Got Huge Material Gains!Where did the wealth come from? The robbing of the Indians, the buying and selling of the black slaves, exploiting the natural resources.The wealth

9、poured into Europe, especially Britain. It poured into the hands of the rising bourgeoisie.It became “capital” with which the bourgeoisie built capitalism.American Revolution (1776-1783)The American revolution was mainly triggered off by 2 reasons: ? 1. Britains aggressive policies to American colon

10、ies. 2. The colonies themselves were going strong both economically and politically. 1. Britains Policies to American ColoniesBuying and selling in the colonies were monopolized by the British merchants.Colonies were supposed to complement and not compete with British industry. The prices of cotton

11、and tobacco were fixed by British capitalists. The import duties were imposed on non-English goods to the American colonies.The local people were required to house and feed the British regular troops stationed in the colonies.So both the rising capitalists in America and the southern slave-owners (p

12、lantation-owners) were dissatisfied with the British. 2. Rapid Growth of American ColoniesIn spite of the restrictions, capitalism grew in the colonies. Because the productions of those items that did not compete with British-made goods and production of raw materials that were needed by the British

13、 manufacturers were generally encouraged by the British. In the 17th and 18th centuries England fought a series of wars with France.People in the colonies seized the chance to develop their own industries, trade and political rights. England, being at wars, could not do much to stop them. But when t

14、he English finally won the wars, they turned their attention to the rebellious American colonies.The Outbreak of the WarIn April of 1775, some British troops were sent to Lexington to disarm the American militiamen there.It was here in Lexington that the first shot in the American War of Independenc

15、e was fired. Within a few days, 20,000 militiamen had gathered outside Boston.The the 2nd Continental Congress was immediately held with representatives from ALL 13 colonies.Reminder: 1774, the 1st Continental Congress, representatives from all colonies EXCEPT Georgia, still favored peaceful solutio

16、n with their “mother country”. Among the representatives for the 2nd meeting were John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.The Congress made a very important decision that was to form a regular army from the scattered militiamen and volunteers._

17、 was made commander-in-chief of the continental army.George WashingtonDeclaration of IndependenceOn _ 1776, it was signed by the representatives from all the colonies.It declared that a new country was born.It was signed LONG BEFORE this country became independent!Its principal author was _. Thomas

18、JeffersonThe Fragment of a DraftExcerpt of the DeclarationAll experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. The Revolutionary War ContinuedOn Christmas night of 1776, Washing

19、ton led a surprise attack against British soldiers who were celebrating the holiday. This V raised the spirit of the Americans. The V at Saratoga was a turning point of the war. And WHY? ? Victory at SaratogaIt further heightened the American spirits.More importantly, it caused action abroad! It was

20、 after this battle that the French agreed to join the war against Britain.Later Spain and Holland joined France. Why did they agree to help Americans? 1. In order to weaken the British Empire and her hegemony; 2. Meanwhile they saw an inevitable victory of the American colonies; 3. For their own ben

21、efits.Final VictoryIn 1781, the Americans , with the help of the French navy, won a decisive victory at Yorktown in Virginia. The final treaty was signed in 1783.Under the treaty, King George III recognized the independence of the United States.The boundaries of the newborn country were fixed roughly from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River on the west, and from the Great Lakes on the north to Georgia on the South.The