2020秋七年级英语上册 英美文化 Survey of America素材 （新版）人教新目标版VIP

Survey of AmericaPart 1 GeographyChapter 1 A General Introduction to Physical Geographyn The US is situated in the central part of NA with Alaska in NW of NA & Hawaii in central Pacific. North: Canada; South: Mexico & Gulf of Mexico; East: the Atlantic Ocean; West: the Pacific Ocean.n Total area: 9 372 614 sq. Km1 Three Geographical Divisions1) The eastern part n Made up of the Highlands formed by the Appalachian.n East: the Piedmont Plateaun West: the Appalachian Plateaun Middle: the Appalachian Range2) The western partn Consists of high plateaus and mountains formed by the Great Cordillera Range.n West: the Coast Rangen Middle: the Cascades n East: the Rocky Mts.n Two plateaus west of Rocky: the Colorado P (S) & the Columbia P (N)n Yellowstone National Park is located in NW part of Wyoming.n The oldest national parkn The largest wildlife preserve in USn Yellow rocks with the Yellowstone Rivern Thousands of hot spring & geysersn Old Faithful is the most famous geyser, erupting more than 100 feet every 73 minutes.n Colorado Valley, also called Grand Canyon, is in N Arizona.n One of the great natural wondersn 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, 1 m deep3) The central plainn Lies in between the Rocky Mts. & the Appalachians, stretches from the Great Lakes (N) to the Gulf of Mexico (S).n Occupies of Americas landmass.2 Rivers & LakesThe Three Major River Systems1) The system of Gulfn The Mississippi River: flows from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. n It is of the greatest rivers in the world.n Major tributaries: the Missouri & Ohio 2) The Atlantic Systemn The Hudson River: one of the main arteries for inland waterway traffic.3) The Pacific Systemn Two major Rivers: the Columbia River & the Colorado RiverThe Great Lakes n Lake Michigan, Superior, Erie, Huron, & Ontario n Lies between the boundary of Canada and US.n Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.n Michigan is wholly within the US.n Niagara Falls: lies between Erie & Ontario; 1240m wide and 49m drop 3 Climaten Since the United States covers a large area, there are different types of climate in different regions.n The South, SW & California: have a warmer climate with moist air.n The West: the weather is dry; there is little rain; days hot; nights cooln The Central Plain, NE & the Great Lakes: hot summer & cold winter, much rain/snow.4 Natural Resourcen The US is rich in natural resource in deposits, forestry, water power.n Main natural resources: coal, natural gas, aluminum, zinc, silver, gold, iron, copper etc.5 Territoryn US is the 4th largest in size in the world.n Original: 13 colonies when independent.n 1783, got the area west to the Mississippi River from Britain by Treaty of Parisn 1803, purchased Louisiana from France.n 1819, got Florida from Spainn 1845-46, annexed Texas, Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, part of Wyoming, (half of Mexico) from Mexico by the US-Mexican War. n 1867, purchased Alaska, the largest state, from Russia.n 1889, controlled the Hawaiian Islands, which became the fiftieth state in 1959.Chapter 2 Populationn The Composition of the population is very complex.n 80% inhabitants of European origin.n Black, Mexicans, Indians, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Japanese, Philippines, etc.n Melting Pot: signifies the mixture & assimilation of different race that have immigrated into US. n Uneven distribution of Populationn There are 4 densely-populated areasn Along Atlantic seaboardn Around 5 Great Lakesn Along Pacific coastn Gulf of MexicoChapter 3 The Fifty States 1. Northeast Region (9 states)n New England (6 states): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticutn All located in northeastern cornern Massachusetts: has the largest population and the most important onen Rhode Island: the smallest in USn Middle Atlantic (3 states): New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvanian It is marked by its industry, called Industrial Northeast.n Major cities: New York, Philadelphia, etc.2. South Region (16 states)n South Atlantic (8 states): Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Floridan East South Central (4 states): Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabaman West South Central (4 states): Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisianan The south has a warm climate, called Sunny South.n Major cities: New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, Baltimore, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City etc.n Washington D.C. is between Maryland & Virginia.3. Midwest Region (12 states)n East North Central (5 states): Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohion West North Central (7 states): North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missourin Major cities: Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati etc.4. West Region: 13 statesn Mountain (8 states): Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona n Pacific (5 states): Washington, Oregon, California; Alaska, Hawaiin Major cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver etc.Alaskan NW of North America, stretching S from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific.n Large peninsula full of glaciers, waterfallsHawaiin 8 major islands in central Pacific.n Comfortable climate 24c temperaturen The best known island: Oahu shaped like a diamond.n Honolulu is the capital city.Chapter 4 The Development of American Economyn The American Independent War and Civil War eliminated British colonist governing and feudal handicaps, cleared the road for American capitalistic development.n Since 1890, US has been the biggest industrial country in the world.n US ranks first in many fields: computer, electronics, space and nuclear tech.Why has the US enjoyed great dominance in world economy? n Geographically, US is rich in natural resources, fertile farmland, suitable climate for farmingn Historically, no war has ever taken place in its own land, US got great benefits from the two world wars.n Socially, US attached close attention to individual creativity, capability, perseverancen Politically, US gov. plays an important role in the development of its economy through certain involvement. Chapter 5 The Main Citiesn Washington D.C.: District of Columbia, named after Christopher Columbusn Washington: the Capital, named after George Washington, 1st presidentn Headquarters of all branches of American federal systems: Congress, Supreme Court, Presidencyn Places of interest: National Mall, National Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Library of Congress, home of George Washington.n Capitol Hill: the seat of US Government & Congressn White House: official presidential residencen National Mall: 3200m long from the Capitol to Lincoln Memorial. Along the Mall are gov. institutions & cultural facilities: National Gallery of Art, Air & Space Museums, Museum of National History, Washington Monument etc. n Lincoln Memorial: honors 16th President, Abraham Lincolnn New York City: Largest city, chief port, is located in New York Staten 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Richmondn Nickname: Big Apple termed by jazz musicians to describe sth ultimate in size, excitement, achievement.n Fantastic skyscrapers, marvelous museums, cultural centers, architecture, sightseeing attractionsn Statue of Liberty: in NY Harbor, presented to US by France commemorating alliance during A. Revolutionn Wall Street: Financial nerve center New York Exchange: Largest organized market for stock, bonds, diagonally across Wall Street n World Trade Center: once tallest building; twin towersn Broadway: an avenue in Manhattan; Symbol of New York theatren Time Square: theatrical center, Brilliantly lit by spectacular illuminated signs, “Great White Way”n Rockefeller Center: world largest privately-owned biz and entertainment complex, Striking architectural groupn UN Headquarters: owned by UN, international territoryPart 2 HistoryChapter 1 Colonization of North American American history is generally agreed to have begun in 1607 when the 1st group of British colonists went to America and started to build their settlement there.n The first Period: n Colonization: 1607-1776n From first settlement of English colonists to the Independence of America1. Indians n The “first Americans” were the red-skinned, dark-haired Indians which have been identified as descendants of Mongoloid.n They n originated from Asia some 25,000 yrs ago,n crossed Bering land bridge (Bering Strait), n traveled southward from Alaska,n scattered over the whole continent after centuries.n The name was given by Christopher Columbus because he mistook the natives for the people of India when he first discovered the American Continent. Social structure: n Clan: smallest unit with kinship as basisn Tribes: formed by clans n Tribe confederacy: united by tribes n The Indians lived on hunting, gathering, fishing and farming. n Agriculture: Maize, potato, cocoa, tobacco as major crops.2. The Discovery of American Through Renaissance in Europe, people became enlightened & interested in physical sciences such as geography. Hence, some brave people started their expedition by sailing west across the Atlantic with a belief that the earth is round.n It was Christopher Columbus & Amerigo Vespucci who discovered & identified the new continents.n 1492, Sponsored by Spanish King and Queen, Columbus overcame countless difficulties and reached a group of islands, now called Bahamas, which he mistook it for part of India.n 1498, he discovered mainland of South America in his third voyage.n Amerigo was, not the discoverer, but 1st who confirmed new continents rather Asia had been discoveredn 1507, the New World was, named after his Latin form of Christian name, AmerigoImportance of the Great Discovery:n Widened peoples horizon,n Promoted commerce development, navigation & industry,n Provided a way for rapid development of early capitalism.3. Colonization of North American The early explorations: European powers sent many explorers to new continents and competed against each other in occupying the New World.n Spain: the southern part of NA, the whole of SA except Brazil.n England: the eastern shores of the present USn France: some settlements on the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, the whole Mississippi ValleyThe Founding of 13 Colonies n Although the explorers claimed certain areas for their kings, the land would really belong to the people who settled and lived there.n For the explorers travel, make a claim, & go back; the colonists build the home, till the soil, & stay.n Many People leaving Old W to New W sought freedom of religious beliefs & better livingn It took more than a century for British to establish 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast.Three sections:n Southern Colonies: Georgia, South & North Carolinas, Virginia, Marylandn Middle Colonies: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delawaren New England/Northern Colonies: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island. n To escape religious persecution, the Puritans/Pilgrims left England. In 1620, 102 English people (35 Puritans) sailed to the New World in a ship called Mayflower. They arrived at Plymouth and built the Plymouth colony.n The first winter after their arrival was particularly severe and when spring came, half of them were dead. Then the neighboring Indians came to their help and taught them how to grow corn. They had a good harvest that year. So they invited the Indians and held the first Thanksgiving celebration in America to give thanks to God.Colonial Lifen Everyday lifen The earlier settlers lived in the “log cabin”.n Food was plentiful -fishing, hunting, farming. n Clothing was simple and rough.n Families were very large.n Educationn Public, private, religious schoolsn College: Harvard 1636; Yale 1701.n Governmentn Governor: in each colony representing Br. King to govern colonies.n He called the legislature meeting, vetoed the laws, appointed officers, but had no control over taxation, which belonged to the Legislature.n Legislature: 2 groupsn The Council: advising Governor; highest courtn Assembly or House of Representatives: members form towns and counties.Chapter 2 The American War of Independence1. The Causes of the Warn The sharpening contradictions between Britain and Colonies. n The economy in 13 colonies developed very fast. And with the development of economy, the people in the colonies wanted more power to determine their own business. n UK sped up its economic exploitation & plunder, trying to control all the trade in the colonies, which strongly aroused the resistance of the colonists.n England exercised more strict policies upon the colonial people after 1763:n Raising imports taxes, taxing more goodsn Closing frontier to further settlementn 10000 troops being placed in American Stamp act of 1765 & Townshend Acts :n Stamped paper must be used for all legal documentsn All goods imported into the colonies be taxed. n Colonists grew indignant with them.n Facing great opposition, BP repealed these two acts.n The Boston Massacren Br. troops fired & killed 4 people with many wounded. n Boston people demanded that troops be removed.n Colonial people got organized for coming struggle by Committee of Correspondence.n The Boston “Tea Party”n In 1773, when ships of tea of East India Company reached Boston, a party of 50-60 men disguised as Indians boarded the ships at night and threw $70, 000 worth of tea into the harbor. This came to be known as the “Boston Tea Party”.n In Sep. 1774, the First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia which encouraged Americans to refuse to buy British goods. n Some colonies began to make preparations for war with England. Colonial militia units (minute men) were organized.n Patrick Henry made a famous speech, encouraging people rise for freedom & independence. 2. The American War of Independencen The Fire of Lexingtonn On April 19, 1775, a small battle took place between British soldiers and militia men in Lexington near Boston. n They were the first gunshots & considered as the prelude of the War of Independencen The 2nd Continental Congress gathered in Ph. in 1775 n The Congress took charge of the troops (militia men), founded a Continental Army, appointed George Washington as commander.n Appointed a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson to draw up declaration of independence.n On July 4th, 1776, the document was accepted by Congress. This day has been observed as National Day since then.n The progress of the War (1775-1783)n First, the advantage was in Englands side. American troops were defeated, only 4000 left in the army. The situation looked desperate. n George Washington won a great victory, the Battle of Trenton, which raised the spirits of colonists.n The turning point: 1777, Victory of Saratoga n America got help from France, Spain, Holland.n 1781, Br. commander Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, the real end of the war.n 1783, Britain recognized the independence of the United States by Treaty of Paris. n The significance of the Warn A new republic emergedn Marked a new beginning of American historyn Encouraged people in Spanish coloniesn Promoted national liberation struggle of other colonies in the world3. The Confederation and the Constitutionn The period of 1783-1789 was of extreme importance. US had to found their country and govt after the War.n Articles of Confederation: A committee was appointed to draw up a constitution to stipulate how US be governed in 1781. It resulted in Articles of Confederation. Thus US was officially founded.The Constitution of 1787: n the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia. to revise AoC, which gave little power to central gov. n Congress be made up 2 houses: House of Representatives and senaten All states had the same number in Senate, big states had more number in HoR.n It established the dictatorship of American bourgeoisie with many anti-democratic elements, and met with strong opposition from laboring people and bourgeois democratic personages.n Anti-Federalists headed by Thomas Jefferson vs. Federalists headed by Hamiltonn 1791, the first 10 amendments were put into the Constitution, known as Bill of Rights.Chapter 3 The Growth of the Nation1. Washingtons Administrationn George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 as 1st US President. n New York was chosen as capital for time being.n Cabinet foundedn Jefferson: Secretary of Staten Hamilton: Secretary of Treasuryn Courts and the Supreme Court were established.n Hamiltons 4 Great Plansn Paying public debt, gov. assumption of state debts, giving gov. more income, establishment of US Bankn Plans split people into Federalists (for plan) and Republicans (against plan)n Many people were feared that the Gov. would be too tyrannical, only for the rich.n Washington resigned in 1796, died in 1799 at home. John Adam was elected.2. John Adams and the Overthrow of Federalistsn John Adam, Federalist, adopted high-handed policy, Passed law called Sedition Act, Started political persecution of opponentsn Republicans (Anti-Federalists), headed by Madison & Jefferson, went into action in fighting Sedition Act and won people support.n 1800, Jefferson was chosen in the election.n Federalists were thoroughly defeated and their Party fell to pieces.3. Administration of Thomas Jeffersonn Difference between Hamilton and Jeffersonn Hamilton prefers strong gov, supported by banker, merchants,