美国文化与社会入门 课堂ppt.doc

Christopher ColumbusIn 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, The New World , bringing it to the attention of Europeans for the first time.Map of the WorldChristopher Columbus travelled West rather than East, the usual way, to try to find a quicker way to China and the Far East.The BahamasChristopher Columbus never made it to the Far East landing instead in the Bahamas in 1492.John CabotJohn Cabot, an Italian like Christopher Columbus, sent by the English King, landed in Canada in 1497 and claimed the whole of North America for England.16th / 17th Century Western EuropeIncreased Trade brought CapitalismCapitalism- a new class of merchants, traders, and businessmen emerged in Europe in the 16th century and challenged the old order of landowners and peasants. Renaissance in EuropeA flowering of the arts and great technological advances were a feature of the RenaissanceThe Creation of Adam is a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo circa 1511.The ReformationMartin Luther, a German Professor, nailed 95 points of disagreement he had with the Roman Catholic Church on the door of a church building in 1517 and began the Protestant Reformation.Protestant Reformation Beliefs (A)Salvation (coming into a right relationship with God)you can not buy your salvation with money i.e. indulgences are wrong.you can not earn your salvation by good works.you can not be given your salvation by joining the church or obeying the Pope.to come into a right relationship with God you must have faith/belief in Jesus Christ and come to God individually, personally, and directly.Protestant Reformation Beliefs (B)The Final Authority for Christianity-the Roman Catholic Church or the Bible?The final authority for Christianity is not the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church.The final authority for Christianity is the Bible.Henry VIIIHenry VIII, King of England, wanted a male son to succeed him as king to prevent conflict after he died. He needed a divorce. The Pope said no and Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church and made himself the Head of the Church of England in 1534.1607 Virginia SettlementThe first permanent English settlement in America was founded in 1607 with the support of King James I of England.Three small ships took 144 English across the Atlantic Ocean a voyage lasting 5 months.DeathOnly 100 out 144 who sailed from England survived the 5 month voyage to Virginia. By the time the second group from England arrived in Virginia with supplies eight months later only 38 English from the original 144 persons were still alive.John RolfeA few years later another colonist called John Rolfe came to Virginia. He found he could grow tobacco well and this was sold by the settlement to Europe at a profit. He also married an Indian Princess and peace came to settlement.PROSPERITY AND PEACEVirginia Self-GovernmentOn 30th July 1619 the leaders of the Virginia Settlement all met for the first time in Jamestown Church Building. There elected delegates from various communities, and the governor and council members who were appointed, all met together.Negro SlavesIn August 1619 a Dutch ship brought 20 Negro slaves to Virginia.For centuries slavery was considered to be a normal and acceptable part of life all over the world. Puritan New EnglandThe second permanent English settlement after Virginia in 1607 was the one established by English Puritans in Massachusetts Bay in New England in 1620.They separated themselves from the Church of England and believed that the Church of England needed to be purified of Catholic teachings and influences. The English Puritans who established the New England Settlement were followers of the French born Swiss theologian 喀尔文 John Calvin 1509-1564 (his picture -). Like Martin Luther and the other Protestants Calvin believed in the final authority of the Bible. Puritan BeliefsPuritans were Protestant Christians who believed in:Hard work, spending little, and investing money in their businesses.High ethical standards.Coming to God and understanding God can be achieved through reading the Bible which was their final authority.Education was very important so that you could read the Bible.Persecution of English PuritansWilliam Laud was the Archbishop of the Church of England from 1633 to 1645. He was an example of someone who strongly opposed Puritanism in England. Puritans seek Religious FreedomReligion in the USA Unit 6“WASP” CultureAmerican mainstream culture had its origins in a “W A S P” culture i.e. a “White Anglo Saxon Protestant” culture. Those who settled in the 13 American colonies were mostly Protestant Christians.Supreme Court Justice William O. DouglasWhat Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas wrote in 1952 about Americans is still true today, “We are a religious people,” he declared, “whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.”Creator GodToday 91% of Americans believe in God (82% of which are Christians).Only 3% of Americans today are atheists.The Declaration of Independence 1776 talks about a Creator God who created all men equal and with God-given rights.Mid-18th CenturyBy the middle of the 18th century there were many Protestant groups in America including Lutherans, Dutch Reformed Church, Presbyterians, Huguenots, Congregationalists, and even the Church of England.Christianity has always been strong in America.Holy BibleHistorically, Protestants in America have lived side by side in relative harmony.All the Bible-believing Protestant groups in America agree on the essentials of the Christian Faith.The Great Awakening 1740sThe Great Awakening of the 1740s in America affected all the Protestants as great preachers like George Whitefield shared the Good News about Jesus Christ.Many Americans understood Gods love for them at this time and believed in Jesus Christ. Christianity grew even stronger in America.Voluntary AssociationThe Puritans formed congregations that were voluntary associations of like-minded people.The political ideas of the Englishman John Locke began to become known in America in the 1700s. Americans agreed with Locke that citizens must voluntarily agree to being governed in a certain way.War of Independence 1775-1781 Freedom and Equality in ReligionSeparation of Church and StateProtestants in the USAToday the majority of Americans over 60% are Protestants.No country in the world has been more strongly influenced by the Bible than the USA.Every Sunday morning all over America people pour into churches.American Protestants BeliefsThe 5 Major Beliefs of Protestants in the USA1. Personal conversion (being born again)2. Living a life that pleases God3. Jesus Christ and his death on the cross is the only way to God4. Jesus Christs resurrection5. Authority of the BibleCharismatics/Pentecostals in USAIn recent years there has been massive growth among the Charismatics and Pentecostals in the USA.In 1970 they were 10% of the population and today in 2009 they are 25% of the population.This Protestant group believe that supernatural miracles and healings from God can occur today.Baptists in the USAThe second largest Protestant group today in the USA are the Baptists where they are 20% of the populationThey have over 25 million members and are particularly strong in the South Eastern Bible belt in the USA Baptists practise adult baptism and are strong in the red area of the USA belowBilly GrahamBilly Graham is a Baptist minister and a very famous and much respected American evangelist and spiritual adviser to many United States presidents He has spoken personally to more people around the world than any Protestant in history. More than 2.5 million people have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior after hearing his preachingBaptismSomeone who has believed in Jesus Christ is baptised “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (the trinity)”Baptism symbolises their dying to their old life and their rebirth to a new life with Jesus Christ This is a wonderful day in someones life and family and friends will attendMethodists in the USAThe third largest Protestant group are the Methodists (around 10%)The former President of the USA George Bush is a Methodist Methodists began in England in the 18th century under the leadership of John Wesley George Whitefield who was one of the main preachers in the 1740s Awakening in America and was a Methodist Both Wesley and Whitefield were very successful evangelistsOther Protestant Groups in USAThere are many other Protestant groups in the USA such as the Churches of Christ, the United Church of Christ (Barack Obama is a member of this church), and the International Convention of Disciples of Christ.(The Latter Day Saints or Mormon Church are generally seen as a cult)Roman Catholics in USA (A)Roman Catholics in the USA are 25% of the populationThe majority of the Catholics are descendants of immigrants from Catholic countries such as Ireland, Italy and Poland. In the photo is the present day leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI Joseph Alois RatzingerRoman Catholics in USA (B)Statue of LibertyThe Statue of Liberty in New York is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States Catholics comprise more than 40% of the population in New York with many descendants of immigrants from Ireland and ItalyPresident John F. Kennedy President John. F. Kennedy (JFK) was Americas first and only Catholic President He was US President from January 20, 1961 November 22, 1963 He was tragically assassinated in 1963Roman Catholic SchoolsJudaismThe Jewish religion is called Judaism. Like the Catholics Jews were a very small percentage of Americans at the time of their independence. Until the 19th century most Jews in America came from GermanyJews in AmericaMany Jewish immigrants to America became professional people in American society and the countrys intellectual leaders. Some kept their religion while others became secular Jews.Anti-SemitismWhen Jews came to America in greater numbers they formed organisations like the anti-defamation league to combat anti-Semitism, prejudice and discrimination against them. They sought justice for all minorities in the US.Three Faiths of the USAAmishBecause of the large open spaces and religious freedoms that exist in America there have always been many opportunities to found new communities. The Amish number about 250,000 and are Protestants who fled Germany in the 18th century to escape persecution. Today they live in rural areas and are cut off from the modern world.Cults in America (A)America has some cults i.e. small groups of people who do not follow traditional Christian belief. Cults are often led by a charismatic leader who isolates its members from the outside world.Cults in America (B)Often there can be abuses of power in the cults which often results in harm being done to their members. Often cults have many strict rules for their members and believe they can predict the end of the world and must get ready for it. Religion and the Law in the USAAbortionIn 1973 the Supreme Court made abortion legal in the USA. Many religious people in the USA feel strongly that abortion is wrong. The issue centres around the rights of the unborn child and the right of a woman to have control over her body. IslamToday there are over 2 million Muslims living in America. They comprise mostly of Muslim immigrants, the children of Muslim immigrants, and some black Americans who have converted to Islam.Generally speaking Muslims in America hold moderate political and religious views and oppose Islamic extremism and terrorism. BuddhismBuddhism is a growing faith in America.Recent immigration from Asia has raised the number of Buddhists in America to several hundred thousand no one seems to know how many.HinduismSeveral hundred thousand Hindus have also come to America from Asia.Hinduism is the third largest world religion after Christianity and Islam You can find most world religions in AmericaRole of Men and WomenAttitudes towards the role of men and women in religion vary in America as they do in the rest of the world. In the Catholic church only men can be leaders. But in many Protestant churches and some more liberal Jewish congregations women can be leaders. Church Leaders WorkChurch leaders in America will teach the Bible to others and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. They will give one-on-one counselling to people who come to them with personal problems.They will visit the sick in hospital and speak to the poor and the homeless.Television EvangelistsMillions of people in America watch religious programming. Evangelists like Benny Hinn take the message of Jesus Christ into the homes of ordinary Americans.American Studies Final Exam (b)Section 3- Religion in the United States (20 Marks)WASP Culture (2), 1740s (2), the Influence of Puritanism and Locke on American Political Thinking (2), Deism and Theism (2), American Presidents Speeches (2), American Protestant Belief (2), Billy Graham (2), Americas First and Only Catholic President (2), Jews in America (2), and Abortion (2).Section 4- Sports and Scenic Spots in America (20 Marks) EITHER (A) SPORT- Watching or attending sports events is an important partof the lives of many Americans. Briefly describe the three most popular sportsin America i.e. American Football, Baseball, and Basketball, and say whatplace they have in American culture and way of life (20). OR (B) TOURISM- Imagine you are a tourist in America. Say where you wouldlike to visit and why (20).United States President (A)The President of the United States is the Head of State and Head of Government of the United States. The President leads the executive branch of the Federal (i.e. Central) Government.United States President (B)The U.S. Constitution charges the President to faithfully execute federal law, makes the President commander-in-chief of the armed forces, allows the President to nominate executive and judicial officers with the advice and consent of the Senate, and allows the President to grant pardons or reprieves.United States President (C)The President and the Vice-President, are elected for a 4 year term (renewable by election once only for another 4 years).The Vice-President will succeed the President if the latter dies or is unable to be President for some reason.The Vice-President is also the Presiding Officer (Chairman) of the Senate only voting in the Senate in the event of a tie. United States President (D)United States President (E)United States President (F)US Supreme Court (A)The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest judicial body in the United States, and leads the federal judiciary. It consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices.US Supreme Court (B)The Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Once appointed, Justices effectively have life tenure, which terminates only upon death, resignation, retirement, or conviction on impeachment.US Supreme Court (C)The Court meets in Washington, D.C. in the United States Supreme Court building. The Supreme Court is primarily an appeal court with cases reaching it from lower courts.US Supreme Court (D)US Supreme Court (E)Checks and Balances (A)The 3 part national government provides a system of “checks and balances” which aims to prevent anyone or any group: (a) having too much power or (b) making a serious mistake. Checks and Balances (B)If Congress proposes a law that the President thinks is unwise the President can veto it. That means the proposal does not become law. Congress can enact the law despite the Presidents views only if 2/3 of the members of both houses vote in favour of it.Checks and Balances (C)If Congress passes a law which is then challenged in the courts as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has the power to declare the law unconstitutional and therefore no longer in effect.Checks and Balances (D)The President has the power to make treaties with other nations and make all appointments to federal positions, including the position of Supreme Court Justice. The Senate, however, must approve all treaties and confirm all appointments before they become official. In this way the Congress can prevent the President from making unwise decisions.Bill of Rights (A)To all Americans another basic foundation in their constitution is the Bill of Rights which was first adopted in 1791. This short document guarantees individual freedoms and rights and forbids interference with the lives of the individuals by the government.Bill of Rights (B)Bill of Rights (C)Political Parties in the USA (A)Political parties are made up of people who share common political views and values. When a poli