大三上学期英美概况beginningandgovernm.ppt

英语国家概况,The United States of America 授课人：席晓青,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,American Beginning and,The United States of America,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Government,CONTENTS,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,American Beginnings I. Two Migrations to the Americas 1. Early migration from Siberia 25,000 years ago 2. Second migration with the expansion of Europe from the 16th century When and who discovered the new world? (P34),II. Early Settlements in America 1. the settlement in Virginia: 1607, adventurous gentlemen and business people for gold tobacco growing two events:(P37) 1) the first meeting of an elected legislature, a brilliant example of self-government of Americans; 2) 20 Negroes as servants brought into American by Dutchmen, enslavement began.,2. the settlement in New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island): founded in 1620 by English puritans why the name “puritans“? puritans ethnics (伦理道德): working hard - living a moral life (Gods elect), - education was essential (to understand the Bible),What is the reason for puritans to flee from England?(P36) Where and when did the English settle first? Where did they land first?,In 1620, Puritansthe Pilgrim Fathers sailed for Virginia aboard the ship Mayflower. Reason to flee from England: to avoid the religious persecution Landed in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts., Migration of the puritans by the ship Mayflower in 1620 due to religious persecution and the settlement of Plymouth ,Massachusetts, Boston and Connecticut puritans legacies: American values ( individualism, hard work, respect of education ) and Idealism of “a city upon hill“, a strong sense of mission felt by most Americans even nowadays. 3. the settlement in Maryland: Catholics settlement in Maryland in 1632 freedom of worship,4. the Quakers settlement in Pennsylvania (1681): Quakers religious beliefs: 1) everyone had an inner light and God was in everyones soul and heart; 2) born equal and not sinful behavior: a. living a simple life, with thrifty and self-denial; b. refusing all forms of war and following a passive resistance; c. encouraging the spirit of liberty and equality Whats Quakers contribution to the country?,Quakers Contributions to the Country original place for melting-pot Great influence upon people: Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin From the above four patterns America had developed a similar American pattern in politics, economy and cultural life .,A Map of the First 13 American Colonies Massachusetts New Hampshire New York Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia,III. The American Revolution and Its Independence (I) War-process: 1774-1775-1776-1781-1783 (II) the independence of 13 colonies,Boston Tea Party,The independence of the Massachusetts colonial government was curtailed, and more British soldiers were sent to the Port of Boston.,In 1773, patriots staged the “Boston Tea Party” in response to the tea tax.,British Parliament then passed The Intolerable Acts:,They boarded British merchant ships and tossed 342 crates of tea into Boston harbor.,The First Continental Congress,The First Continental CongressSeptember, 1774,A meeting of colonial leaders who opposed British oppression was held in Philadelphia. They urged Americans to disobey The Intolerable Acts and to boycott (抵制) British trade. At the same time, the colonists began to defend themselves.,On April 19, British troops were sent to Lexington and Concord to disarm the American militiamen. The first shot in the American War of Independence.,The Shot of Lexington,The Second Continental Congress,Held in Philadelphia in May 1775 Assume the functions of a national government,Founding Continental Army and Navy under the command of George Washington. Printing paper money and opening diplomatic relations with foreign powers.,George Washington, a wealthy Virginia planter, was respected as a man of ability and integrity.,Once a colonel in the French and Indian War; One of the few Americans with considerable military experience; Led the continental army to the victory of the Independence War.,George Washington,The Second Continental Congress,Declaration of Independence,On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.,Q.What does the Declaration of Independence tell us?,A: It tells of the theory of politics, which latter is central to the Western political tradition: Men has a natural right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Government can rule only with “the consent of the governed”; Any government may be dissolved when it fails to protect the right of the people.,The Declaration of Independence was draft by Thomas Jefferson. It had two parts: The first part justified the right of people to rebel against a government that denied them their natural rights. The second part was a detailed indictment of King George for cruelties, crimes and illegal political acts against humanity and America.,Declaration of Independence,After being printed, the copies were sent out, broadcast and read to crowds everywhere. The document greatly encouraged the struggling people, making them think that they should be independent and have the right to enjoy liberty. They were beginning to show more interests in a common cause. Both a great influence on the course of the war and a far-reaching influence in world history as well.,Declaration of Independence,It dragged on for seven years. Obstacles for the continental army: No enough supplies. Tired and hungry, while British troops fresh and well-equipped. By the middle of December, 1776, the Revolution seemed lost. The victory at Saratoga (1777, October)turning point.,Watch the video clip,Q. How did the war develop? And which battle marked the turning point of the war?,Process of the War,2. US Constitution,Constitutionbasic instrument law, drawn up in 1787, came into effect in 1789. Two characters: separation of powers, check and balances; specified exactly what power the central government had and which power was reserved for the states.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Whats the significance of the Constitution?,2. US Constitution,Significance of the Constitution Taking precedence over all state constitutions and laws, and over laws made by the congress; First of its kind in the world, it has inspired dozens of other countries to seek political reform.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,What is federalism? What is the separation of powers? What are the qualifications for a US President? How do you understand the power of American President?,3. Federal System & Government,Questions for brain-storming,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3. Federal System & Government,3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.1 The Federal Government,The Federal Governmentthe central government. Three equal and separate branches： The Executive branch The Legislative branch The Judicial branch They are checked and balanced by one another.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.1 The Federal Government,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2 The executive branch,3.2.1,3.2.2,3.2.3,3.2.4,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.1 Departments & White House,The executive branch consists of 14 departments and many independent agencies； Cabinet is formed by department headssecretaries； source of advice and assistance to the president President is chief of the executive. first citizen his wifeFirst Lady,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,,3.2.1 Departments & White House,Official presidential residence The president works and lives here and the offices of most of his staffs are also located there, such as White House Staff, National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), etc.,The White House at Christmas night,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.2 Functions of The President,As Chief Executive, he is given the authority or duty: to command the armed forces and grant pardons; to make appointments to certain offices; to conclude treaties; to send and receive diplomatic and consular officials; to inform Congress on the “state of the Union”; to recommend legislation, approve or veto bills passed by Congress, and ensure the execution of laws.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.2 Functions of The President,The presidents limits: major appointments with approval of the Senate; veto overridden by Congress with two-thirds consent of the Senators; all appropriations legislated by Congress; can be impeached by Congress if abusing power or committing crimes; no power to dismiss Congress; his policy can be vetoed and abolished by The Supreme Court.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.3 Qualifications of The President,Natural-born American citizen of and over 35 years-old; Being resident within the US for at least 14 years; Serve one or two successive terms of four years. Franklin D. Rooseveltthe only president who served more than two successive terms. After World War II, Congress adopted an amendment limiting a president to two successive terms only.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.4 President and Scandal,Watergate Scandal The Watergate scandal occurred in 1972. It remains one of the top presidential scandals of modern time.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.2.4 President and Scandal,To defeat his adversary, Nixon hired five burglars to set up wiretaps to get confidential information in the Democratic National Committee offices; It was exposed and became the biggest political scandal in the history of America; Because of the pressure of public, Nixon was impeached and resigned in 1974.,Listen to the Audio: Watergate,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,What qualifications are prescribed for a Representative and a Senator? What are the functions of the Congress? Briefly state the legislative processhow does a bill become law? What do you know about the Judicial Branch and the Jury System?,3.3 The Legislative Branch,Questions for brain-storming,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.3 The Legislative Branch,3.3.1,3.3.2,3.3.3,3.3.4,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.3.1 Congress,Law-making and the supreme legislative body； Two houses: the Senate the House of Representatives The Capitol is no longer opened to the public after the terror event on Sept. 11th, 2001.,Capitol,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.3.2 The Senate,100 voting members, two from each state; They may be reelected for an unlimited number of six-year terms, chosen by a direct election; Qualifications for being a senator: over 30 years old; a US citizen for at least 9 years; resident in the state from which he is elected.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.3.3 The House of Representatives,435 voting members plus a non-voting representative from Puerto Rico, Guma and the District of Columbia; State legislature divides each state into congressional districts, each district electing one Representative; Qualifications for being a representative: at least 25 years old; a US citizen for no less than 7 years; serve for a term of two years.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.3.4 The Function of Congress,Function of Congresspassing laws for the Union; Either house may introduce legislation on any subject except the revenue bills which must originate in the House of Representatives.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,,The constitution is generous in its grant of powers to Congress; Among these powers are： the power to “spend and tax in order to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States”; the power to borrow money; the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states;,3.3.4 The Function of Congress,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,the power to declare war, raise and support armies, and provide and maintain a navy; the power to establish post offices and post roads; the power to set up the federal courts under the Supreme Court; the power “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution”.,3.3.4 The Function of Congress,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,3.4 The Judicial Branch,The judicial branch consists of a series of courts: the Supreme Court the courts of appeals12 the district courts94 The Supreme Courthighest court; One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices; decisions are made by the majority. appointed by the President with the Senates approval; only removed from office by Congress through difficult impeachment.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Jury System,In most criminal justice systems and some civil cases, panels are initially selected at random from the adult population of the district. A person who is serving on (is a member of) a jury is known as a juror. The number of jurors is usually twelve, though smaller cases may require only six. Some alternate jurors are nominated to follow the trial when jurors do not complete the trial for health or other reasons (but they do not take part in deciding the verdict裁决).,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,The role of the jury is the “finder of fact”, while the Judge has the sole responsibility of interpreting the appropriate law and instructing the jury accordingly. Occasionally, a jury may find the defendant “not guilty“ even though he violated the law if the jury thinks that the law is invalid or unjust.,Jury System,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,What are the differences between the two major parties? What are the functions of the major parties when the general election comes? How the president is voted in the US? What is the “winner-take-all” system?,4. Political Parties,Questions for brain-storming,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,4. Political Parties,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,4.1 Symbols of the parties,Donkey & Elephant In 1847, American artist Thomas Nest drew a political picture with a donkey representing the Democratic Party and an elephant representing the Republican Party.,The Democratic Party and the Republican Party,From then on, they became the symbol of the two parties.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Political Parties,Democratic Party Republican Party,William Clinton John F. Kennedy,Representatives for the Parties:,Jimmy Carter Franklin D. Roosevelt,The Democratic Party,George Bush Richard Nixon,Ronald Regan,Abraham Lincoln,The Republican Party,4.2 The Democratic Party,The Democratic Partyliberal; Governmentplaying an important role in the economy and emphasizing full employment; Favor civil rights laws, a strong social security system and less restrictive abortion laws, etc.; More disposed to search out a method of living with Russia and China and to look for reduction in arms spending.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,4.3 The Republican Party,The Republican Partyconservative; Favor an economic systemgiving enterprises a greater freedom and demand the government to control inflation; Stress the need for law and order; Oppose complete governmental social programs and free choice of abortion; Favor a strong military posture and assertive stands in international relations.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,4.4 Function of Parties,To nominate candidates for office and help them in their election campaigns. find the most suitable candidates; help candidates to collect the money needed, mobilize the party activists or hire people to help them with the propaganda; urge the public to vote for them and undermine the rivals by exposing their personal flaws or attacking their policies.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,5. Election,There are many kinds of elections in the United States. When an American votes in November in the presidential election each leap year, he is voting in several other elections as well; He also votes for a Representative or a Senator; At regular intervals he votes to choose the governor of his state, the mayor of his city and the holders of several local public offices.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Presidential Election,Only the candidates nominated by the two major parties have the chance to win a Presidential election; The election process is complex; The Presidential election (four stages): The first stage: the major parties hold conventions to choose candidates for President and Vice-President and to determine the partys platform.,Listen to the audio: American youth supports Democratic Party,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Presidential Election,The second stage is the campaigning stage. By early fall the presidential race is on. From that time until the election day, voters are bombarded from all sidesby radio, television, newspapers, and personal communications with political material. There are whistle stop tours by train, by plane, and by car. The candidate delivers countless speeches and shakes countless hands. This is a very important stage in the general election.,Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,Presidential Election,The third stage is the time for voters to choose