American History
American History / History of the United States
American Diversity:
America is a home to nations from all over the world; from Africa to Europe; from Asia to North America. According to Poet Walt Whitman, "Here is not merely a nation but a teeming Nation of nations." The first European, who landed in America, was Christopher Columbus in 1492 or 1493.
Immigrants (Emigration to United States of America)
Emigration to America has its roots in thousands years of long history. After Columbus, the major wave of immigration ocuured in the early 1600s with people from Europe. But Bristish culture, tradition and English language became dominant. Besides, immigrants from Africa continuosly brought in chain from sixteen to early
eighteen centuries. In general, Immigrants from all over the world came America for variety of reasons, and still America is a fascinated place for many others.
Statue of Liberty welcome immigrants, to the "Land of Oppotunities".
From Articles of Confederation to the Constitution of the United States American War of IndependenceThe American War of Independence OR The American Revolutionary War began in 1775 between thirteen British colonies in the United States and Kingdom of Great Britain.
Declaration of IndependenceEven before the war ended, Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announced that the thirteen American colonies at war were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.
After the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress drafted The Articles of Confederation in 1776-77 and it became the working constitution of the Unites States. The Articles of Confederation was ratified by States in 1781.
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation formed a “league of friendship” among the states. As a confederation, it allowed each state to retain its “sovereignty” and “independence.” That is, it made the states supreme over the national government.
However, under The Articles of Confederation, Americans faced problems with both their national and state governments.
This government suffered severely from a lack of power. Each state distrusted the other and gave little authority to the central or federal government. The Articles of Confederation produced a government which could not raise money from taxes, prevent Indian raids, or force the British out of the United States.
While these laws worried the leaders, Shays’s Rebellion in western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 scared them.
Consequently, the Congress approved a convention for “the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”
The Constitution of the United States The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia, the country’s largest city at that time, and the Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787.
Introduction to America, and American history:
Welcome to the American History section. American History is full of importance, excitement and controversy.
American History: Key Facts- The first European, who landed in America, was Christopher Columbus
- The Congress declared Independence from British Empire in 1776
- The Constitution of United States was enforced in 1787
- The United States capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington in 1800
Presidents of the United States: Key Facts- After the ratification of the United States Constitution, the first president was George Washington
- President Nixon was the first, who had to resign
- Shortest tenure in United States presidential history was of President Harrison (32 days)
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . .