经典：英语国家概况The-United-States

TheUnitedStatesChapter10TheLandⅠ.Location,Size,andAdministrativeAreas9166601squarekilometers(4thlargestcountryofworld)50statesandafederaldistrict(theDistrictofColumbia)Ⅱ.GeographicFeaturesThehighlandsintheeast,themountainsinthewest,avastplainregioninbetween1.TheEasternHighlandsAppalachianRange2.TheWesternMountainsCordilleraRangeTheCoastRangeTheSierraNevadaTheCascadesTheRockyMountains3000metershighGrandCanyonwithamaximumdepthof1800meters3.TheCentralPlainsTheCentralLowlandintheeast(fromfiveGreatLakestocentralTexas)TheGreatPlainsinthewestTheeasternhalfoftheGreatPlainsisthemostimportantagriculturalareasThewesternhalfisthegreatprairies4.AlaskaandHawaiiAlaskawasboughtbytheUSAfromRussiain18673200kilometersawayfromthemainlandoftheUS.MaunaLoaistheworld’slargestactivevolcanoⅢ.RiversTheMississippiRiverandtheMissouriRiverandtheirbranchesfroma19000-kilometersystemofwaterwaysthatareconnectedtotheGreatLakesinthenorthbyacanal.TheMississippiis“fatherofwater”,flowsabout6400kilometersfromthenorthernRockyMountains,tothemouthofMississippiintheGulfofMexico.Ⅳ.LakesⅤ.ClimateⅥ.NaturalResources1.WaterTheUSAisblessedwithlargesuppliesoffreshwaterexceptinthedrydesertregionsofthewest.90%offreshwaterusedforgeneratingelectricpower.2.Forests1/3oflandareaiscoveredbyforests.Foundintheeasternandwesternhighlandsofcountry.3.MineralsandMetalsImportantminingareasofthecountryare:thenorthernpartoftheAppalachianHighlands,thefiveGreatLakesarea,andtheWesternmountainousregions.Ⅶ.PrincipleCitiesWashingtonD.C.,thecapitaloftheUS.Thecityisnowtheseatofthefederalgovernmentaswellasaleadingculturalcenterandacenterofworldaffairs.WashingtonD.C.ThelargestcityandchiefportoftheUnitedStates.Thefiveboroughs(Manhattan,Brooklyn,theBronx,QueensandRichmond)thatcomprisethecityareseparatedbywaterwayslinedbydocks.NewYorkCityWithitsman-madeharboratSanPedroBay,LosAngelesservesasanimportantshipping,industrial,communicationsandaviationcenter.Itleadsthecountryinthemanufactureofaircraftandparts.ThecityhasalsobecomeanimportantelectroniccenterandthefilmcenteroftheUnitedStates.LosAngelesTheadvantageouslocationhasmadeitthegreatesttransportationcenterinthecountryeversincethebeginningofthesettlement.AsachiefrailwaycenterfortheUSA.ChicagoBothMayDayandInternationalWorkingWomen’sDayweredecidedtosupporttheworkers’andwomen’smovementsinChicagointhelate19thcenturyandearly20thcenturyrespectively.Chapter11PeopleⅠ.The“MeltingPot”TheUnitedStates----meltingpot,manyethnicgroupsfromdifferentpartsoftheworld.Theyweredissipatingtheirdifferentethnicculturestowardsome“standard”bylivingandworkingtogetherinthe“meltingpot”oftheUnitedStatesandgraduallyforminganewnation.Totalpopulation:301.4million(2007)AmericanIndiansweredividedinto“IndianReservation”Theyrepresentinglessthan0.9%ofthetotalpopulationofcountry.WASPsfromEngland,NorthernandWesternEuropeImmigrantsfromothercountriesreachingapeakintheyearbetween1880and1914.TodayAmericanEuropeanmakingupover70.5%ofthetotalpopulationofcountry.BlackpeoplearedescendedfromNegroslavesimportedfromAfrica.Makingupabout12.3%ofthetotalpopulationofcountry.Ⅱ.PopulationandSettlementAlargenumberofChineseweretrickedandshippedtoAmericainthe19thcenturybyslavetradersasnumberofChinese.3.5%MexicohadownedvastregionsoftheWestandSouthwestuntilthe1840sand1850s,HispanicsoriginallysettledlargeareasoftheUS.Constitutethelargestethnic-minority12.8%InAmericaindividualsencounternotonlyclassoppressionbutalsodiscriminationbasedonethnicityandrace.Non-WASPWASPHispanicsBlackChineseWhiteTheprincipalreasonforthepopulationmovementtodayisthegrowthofnewindustries,especiallyintheWestandSouth.Since1790s,the“populationcenterofgravity”hasbeenmovingwestward.Ⅲ.LanguageTheUnitedStateshasnoofficiallanguagethoughEnglishisthenationallanguageandisspokenby82%ofthepopulationasthemothertongue.(HispanicsspeakSpanish)BlackEnglishasaseparatesocialdialectofEnglish.Ⅳ.Religion90%Americansaremembersofachurchortemple.52%ofthetotalpopulationareProtestants.Theprincipalof“separationofchurchandsate”,thegovernmentofthecountrygivesnodirectsubsidiestoanyfaith,butexemptsthemfrompayingtaxesonincomeandproperty.Ⅴ.TheAmericanSocietySuper-rich20%Poor29%Middle-class51%Chapter12AmericanEconomyⅠ.CorporateCapitalism(Imperialism)Threestages:Commercialcapitalism17thCIndustrialcapitalism18th–20thCorporatecapitalismorimperialism20th----SurpassedBritaininindustrialproductionandbecomethemostpowerfulnationintheworldbythe1880s.Largecorporationshavecentralizedcapitalandestablishedownershipoverthemeansofproduction.FactorysystemAmericansystemBusinessorganizationWatertosteampowerⅡ.Industry1.TheIndustrialNortheastWith95%ofthenation’sironandsteelandmachine-makingindustries.Otherimportantindustriesincludeshipbuilding,coalmining,textileandchemicalindustries.2.ThesouthCheaplaborTextileplants3.TheWestMiningareaThemainareelectronicequipment,aerospace,aircraftandoiletc.Ⅲ.AgricultureagribusinessⅣ.TransportationⅤ.ForeignTradeExportImportTherehasbeenanunfavorablebalanceoftradesincethe1970s.Americangovernmentbegantopursueaprotectionistpolicyintrade.Majorpartners:Canada,Mexico,Japan,theUnitedKingdom,ChinaandGermany.Chapter13GovernmentSystemⅠ.TheConstitutionTheUnitedStatesisafederalunionof50states.--------’theConstitutionoftheUnitedStates’(1787)Twoprinciple:Thefederalsystem------stateshavetherighttoself-governmentThe‘separationofpowers’------balanceThelegislative(congress)Theexecutive(president)Thejudicial(SupremeCourt)Ⅱ.PresidentBoththeheadofstateandtheheadofgovernmentTheConstitutiongivestheexecutivepowertothePresidentalone.Allthegovernmentdepartments,agenciesandofficesareledbythePresidentandareresponsibletohim.TheCabinetonlyadvisesthePresidentnotmakeanydecisions.CarryoutthegovernmentprogramsenactedintolawbyCongressVetopoweroverbillspassedbyCongressPowerofappointingofficers,withtheconsentoftheSenateConductforeignaffairsCommander-in-ChiefofthearmedforcesⅢ.ExecutiveDepartmentandAgenciesTheDepartmentofStateHeadedbytheSecretaryofStateAdvisesthePresidentonforeignrelationsTheTreasuryDepartmentManagesgovernmentfinances,collectstaxes,andmintscoinsandprintspapermoney.TheDepartmentofDefenseResponsiblefornation’ssecurity2.4millionarmedforceTheDepartmentofJusticeLedbyAttorneyGeneralActsforthegovernmentinlegalmattersandmovesagainstviolatorsoffederallaws.DepartmentoftheSecurityoftheNationalTerritoryandResourcesEnhancinganti-terroristactivities,andkeepingsecurityofnationalterritoryandresources.ThepowerofPresidenthaskeptenlargingTherearenumerousindependentagencieschargedwithspecialfunctions.CIA(1947)Instancesofsubversion,interference,andattemptingtocontrolothercountries.Organization,budgetandpersonnelarekeptsecret.Ⅳ.CongressTheSenateEachofthe50stateselectstwoSenators.SixyearsOver30yearsold(beenAmericancitizenforatleastnineyears)OneRepresentativeforover500000peopleFixedat435TwoyearsOver25yearsold(beenAmericancitizenfornolessthan7years)TheHouseofRepresentativesMakeanylawsthatareconsidered‘necessaryandproper’.Imposeandcollecttaxes,decidetheexpendituresofthegovernment,controltradewithforeignnationsandamongthestates,establishandprotectamonetarysystemandborrowmoneyonthecreditoftheUnitedStates.RaiseandmaintainanarmyandanavyanddeclarewaruponothercountryAdmitnewstatesintotheUnionandproposeAmendmentstotheConstitutionBeproposedbytheHousebutdecidedonbytheSenate.ImpeachmentsSpecialcommitteesStandingcommitteesⅤ.ThePresidentandCongresscooperationindependentImpeachments‘Billofimpeachment’approvedby2/3inHouseofRepresentativesAtrialintheSenateⅥ.TheFederalCourtSystemFederalsystem------enforcefederallawsStatesystem-------enforcefederallawsSecondhighestleveloffederaljudiciary------11courtsofappealDistrictcourts(trialcourts)SupremeCourt(ChiefJusticeandeightJustices)Chapter14PartyPoliticsTheFederalPartyRepresentedtheinterestsofthecommercialcapitalists,infavorofastrongcentralgovernment,thedevelopmentofcommerceandindustry,andoffriendlyrelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandEngland.AlexanderHamiltonRepresentedtheinterestsofthesouthernslave-ownersandthemiddleclassesintheNorth,infavorofaweakcentralgovernment,themaintenanceofstatepowersandthedevelopmentofagriculture.friendlywithFranceThomasJeffersonDemocraticParty(1828)wantedtokeeptheslavesystemTheNewRepublicanParty(1854)TrytoabolishslavesystemTheprocessofelectingaPresidentwassetupintheUnitedStatesConstitution.TheConstitutionrequiresacandidateforthepresidencytobe:Atleast35yearsoldAnaturalborncitizenoftheUnitedStatesAresidentoftheUnitedStatesfor14yearsStepI:PrimariesandCaucusesTherearemanypeoplewhowouldliketobecomePresident.Eachofthesepeoplehavetheirownideasabouthowourgovernmentshouldwork.Someofthesepeoplecanbelongtothesamepoliticalparty.That'swhereprimariesandcaucusescomein.Intheseelections,partymembersgettovoteforthecandidatethatwillrepresenttheirpartyintheupcominggeneralelection.Step2:NationalConventionsAttheendoftheprimariesandcaucuses,eachpartyholdsanationalconventiontofinalizetheselectionofonePresidentialnominee.Duringthistime,eachPresidentialcandidatechoosesarunning-mate(orVice-Presidentialcandidate).Step3:TheGeneral(orPopular)ElectionNowthateachpartyisrepresentedbyonecandidate,thegeneralelectionprocessbegins.Candidatescampaignthroughoutthecountryinanattempttowinthesupportofvoters.FinallyinNovember,thepeoplevoteforonecandidate.Whenapersoncastsavoteinthegeneralelection,theyarenotvotingdirectlyforanindividualPresidentialcandidate.Instead,votersineachstateactuallycasttheirvoteforagroupofpeople,knownaselectors.TheseelectorsarepartoftheElectoralCollegeandaresupposedtovotefortheirstate抯preferredcandidate.Chapter15---17TheearliestinhabitantsTheearliestinhabitantsinNorthandSouthAmericaweretheAmericanIndians,theyhadcomeoverfromAsiaabout25000yearsagowhenAsiaandNorthAmerica,separatedbytheBeringStraittoday,weretiedtogetherbyalandbridgeanditwaspossibletowalkfromAsiatoAmericabecausemuchoceanwaterwasfrozeninglaciersandthesealevelwaslowerthantoday.TheDiscoveryoftheNewWorldTheIndiansandthepeopleoftherestworldknewlittleabouteachotheruntiltheNewWorldwasdiscoveredin1492.OnAugust3rd,1492,ColumbusstartedsailingfromtheharboratPalos,Spain,with87sailorsinthreeships.AtlastonOctober12th,1492,abeautifulislandstretchedbeforethem.Columbussteppedashore,thankedGodfortheirsafearrivalandtookpossessionofthelandinthenameoftheKingandQueenofSpain.WhatColumbusandthosewhofollowedhim“discovered”andexploredwasagreatandrichworld.NorthandSouthAmericastogethermadeupanareaalmostaslargeasAfricaandEuropecombined.InAmericatherewereallthoseresourcesnecessaryforagriculturalandindustrialdevelopment:fertileland,seasfulloffish,greatforests,alltheessentialmetalsandminerals,hugecoalandoilsupplies,andriversrichinwater-power.TheColonizationinNorthAmericaIn1620thefirstgroupofPuritansarrivedfromEngland.Theyweresocalledbecausetheyrepresentedtherisingbourgeoisieoftimeandwishedto“purify”theChurchofEngland,theestablishchurch,withtheKingasitshead.Inordertoescapefromreligiouspersecutionashome,agroupofPuritanssetsailforAmericaonashipcalledMayflower.Thisgroupof“pilgrims”,astheycalledthemselves,wenttotheNewWorldinsearchofreligiousfreedom.Beforetheylanded,theysignedanagreementcalledthemayflowercompact,inwhichtheypromisedtoobeytherulesandlawsofthecolony.thirteenBritishcoloniesAlongthisstretchofcoastwerethirteenBritishcolonies.Owingtogeographical,economicandsocialfactors,thethirteencoloniesdevelopedindifferentdirections.First,theNewEnglandColonies(Massachusetts,NewHampshire,ConnecticutandRhodeIsland)becomeacenterforlumbering,shippingandfishing.Secondly,theCentralColonies(NewYork,NewJersey,Pennsylvania,DelawareandMaryland)becomearegionofsmallfarms.Thirdly,theSouthernColonies(Virginia,NorthandSouthCarolinasandGeorgia)developedaplantationsystemwiththeexploitationsofslavelabor.TheFrenchandIndianWarTheFrenchandIndianWar(1756---1763)FoughtbytheEnglishagainsttheFrenchandtheirIndianallies.DesireofEnglandtolevymoretaxesonthecoloniesandthedesireofthecoloniestohavemorerightmadethecoloniesandtheirmothercountrypullapartindifferentdirections.TheEnlightenmentReasonledLocketocondemnabsolutegovernmentandledthebourgeoisietoadvocatefreetrade,freespeech,andfreethought.JohnLocke,anEnglishmaterialistphilosopher,furnishedthecenturywithatheoryaboutreason.TheBritishMercantilistPolicyandtheColonies’ResistanceTheBritishgovernmentpracticedthepolicyofmercantilistinthecolonies.ThecoloniesexistedtoenrichthemothercountrybyprovidingEnglandwithrawmaterialsandbuyingbackmanufacturedgoods.Theresultofthispolicywasthatthecoloniesusuallywoundupowingmoneytothemothercountryowingtoanunfavorablebalanceoftrade.BostonTeaPartyOnDecember16th,1773,agroupofBostoncitizens,whodisguisedthemselvesasIndians,boardedthreeBritishshipsintheharborandtossedacargoofteaworth17000overboard.ThefirstContinentalCongress(1774)DrewupapetitionaskingtheKingtograntself-governmenttothecolonies.TheyagreednottoimportanygoodsfromEnglanduntilEnglandrepealedalltheunfairlaws.In1775,agroupofminutemenmettheBritishatLexington,wherethefirstshotsoftherevolutionwerefired.FightforIndependenceThesecondContinentalCongress(1775)Establisharegulararmy,withGeorgeWashingtonascommander-in–chief.TheDeclarationofIndependenceAllmenarecreatedequalandhavecertaininalienablerights,amongwhicharelife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness;Governmentgettheirpowersfromtheconsentofthosetheygovern;Agovernmentthatdoesnotliveuptothepurposesforwhichitwascreatedcanbeabolishedbythepeople.AmericanswonagreatvictoryatSaratogainOctober17th,1777,whichwasaturningpointofthewar.ApeacetreatywassignedinParisonSeptember3rd,1783.Englandacknowledgedtheindependenceoftheformerthirteencolonies.TheConstitutionalConventionTheconstitutionwasratifiedin1789.GeorgeWashingtonwaselectedthefirstPresidentofUnitedStatesandtookofficein1789.HeorganizedthefirstadministrationunderthenewConstitution.AmericanCivilWarTheantagonismofthetwosocial-economicsystemsledtoincreasedpoliticalconflictbetweentheNorthandtheSouthandfinallytotheoutbreakoftheCivilWar.TheswiftlygrowingindustriesintheNorthrequiredtherestrictionofslaveryaswellasitsexpandingterritorysoastoprovidecapitalistproductionwithrawmaterials,marketsandanabundantlaborsupply.TheslaveeconomyoftheSouthwasanobstacletoindustrialgrowthandexpansion.Inelectionof1860,therepublicanputupAbrahamLincoln,anortherner,forthepresidency.Lincolnwasthoughttobeanabolitionist.SotheslavestatesalmostimmediatelybegantosecedefromFederalUnionwhenLincolnwaselectedPresident.TheAmericanCivilWarbrokenoutonApril12th,1861andendedonApril9th,1865.Chapter18USImperialismⅠ.TheFormationofUSImperialism1.HighlyDevelopedIndustryTheendofthe19thcenturytheUntiedStateshadalreadybecomeahighlydevelopedcapitalistcountryandreachedthestageofimperialism.By1894,Americahadbecometheworldleadingindustrialcountry.2.TheRapidConcentrationofCapitalAftercivilwar,withmanysmallandmedium-sizedenterprisesbeingswallowedupbybiggeronesintheprocess.Bigmonopoliesfirstappearedintheheavyindustryandthelightindustriesandagriculturewentthoughasimilarprocessofconcentration.3.TheRiseoftheWorking-classMovement1880sand1890s,workersbeganforthefirsttimetoformunionsonalargescale.In1955,A.F.ofL.andtheCLOmergedtoformasinglenationalunion.4.TheOverseasExpansionItoccupiedtheSamoanIslandsin1880,andconvenedthefirst“pan-Americanconference”in1889inanattempttocontrolLatinAmerica.WarwithSpainin1898ownedcoloniesCuba,PuertoRico,GuamandthePhilippinesInPanama------controlthePanamaCanalIntheFarEast-----ChinaⅡ.AmericainWorldWarIandthePost-WarperiodTheUnitedStatessoughttoremainneutralinthefirstfewyearsoftheWar.IndidnotenterthewaruntilApril1917whenitdecidedthattheGermansweredirectlythreateningAmericaninterestsastheGermansubmarineswereusedtosinkAmericanshipsonthesea.TheentryoftheUnitedStatesintothewarquickenedGermany’sdefeat.USimperialismreapedahugefortuneoutofthewarbysellingarmstobothsidesofthewarinthefirstphaseofthewarandbydoingwellinthepost-wardivisionofspoilsamongthevictoriousallies.TheUSflourishedwithgreatprosperityinthe1920s.Ⅲ.AmericainWorldWarⅡTheJapaneseattackontheAmericannavalbaseofPearHarborin1941,broughttheUSintothewar.By1944,AmericantroopsandairforceswerehittingtheJapanesehard.TheAmericannavysmashedtheJapanesefleet.TheUSdroppedatomicbombsonHiroshimaandNagasakiin1945.Ⅳ.Americainthepost-warPeriodⅤ.Sino-AmericanRelationsProblemsbothathomeandabroadresultedinPresidentNixon’svisittothepeople’sRepublicofChinain1972.Ambassadorsofthetwocountrieswereexchangedin1979.elementswww.animationfactory.com