Culture: history of the
USA
Jolien Wynen
English 3
Year : 2022-2023
, 1 EARLY AMERICA
Ice Age ~ 35 000 years ago
Formation of land bridge between Asia and North America
Early humans in the Americans ~ 12 000 years ago
Migration across the land bridge
Settlement in Alaska
Southward migration into the Americas
Formation of communities (Hohokam, Adenans, Hopewellians,
Anasazi) disappeared
Villages, agriculture, diverse spiritual beliefs
Norse exploration ~ 985 – 1001
Came from Greenland
Settlement in Greenland by Erik the Red
Exploration of northeast coast by Leif (Erik’s son), Norse in Canada
European exploration ~ late 15th century
Christopher Columbus ~ 1492 in the Caribbean
Never reached the United States!
He was looking for Asia
John Cabot ~ 1497 establishes British claim in Canada
Spain explores and claims territories in the Americas
Juan Ponce de Léon ~ 1513 in Florida
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado ~ 1540 explores Grand Canyon and
Great Plains
Other explorers (originally looking for the mythical Seven Cities of
Cibola)
Naming of the Americas
Continents named after Amerigo Vespucci
European settlements
St. Augustine, Florida (First permanent European settlement)
Thirteen British colonies form, including Virginia and Massachusetts
(first two)
European Immigration
People from Europe immigrate to the New World
Shifting populations
Disappearance of early groups in the Americas
Arrival and prosperity of later groups (Hopi, Zuni)
2 COLONIAL PERIOD
Colonial settlers ~ 1600s
English settlers predominate
Other settlers from Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, France,
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Reasons for migration: escape war, seek political/religious freedom,
work as servants, slavery
13 original colonies
Population growth ~ 1690 – 1790
1690: 250 000 people
1790: 2 500 000 people
Colonial regions
1) New England
Settlements along Atlantic coast and rivers
Economy based on timber, fishing, shipbuilding and trade
USA
Jolien Wynen
English 3
Year : 2022-2023
, 1 EARLY AMERICA
Ice Age ~ 35 000 years ago
Formation of land bridge between Asia and North America
Early humans in the Americans ~ 12 000 years ago
Migration across the land bridge
Settlement in Alaska
Southward migration into the Americas
Formation of communities (Hohokam, Adenans, Hopewellians,
Anasazi) disappeared
Villages, agriculture, diverse spiritual beliefs
Norse exploration ~ 985 – 1001
Came from Greenland
Settlement in Greenland by Erik the Red
Exploration of northeast coast by Leif (Erik’s son), Norse in Canada
European exploration ~ late 15th century
Christopher Columbus ~ 1492 in the Caribbean
Never reached the United States!
He was looking for Asia
John Cabot ~ 1497 establishes British claim in Canada
Spain explores and claims territories in the Americas
Juan Ponce de Léon ~ 1513 in Florida
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado ~ 1540 explores Grand Canyon and
Great Plains
Other explorers (originally looking for the mythical Seven Cities of
Cibola)
Naming of the Americas
Continents named after Amerigo Vespucci
European settlements
St. Augustine, Florida (First permanent European settlement)
Thirteen British colonies form, including Virginia and Massachusetts
(first two)
European Immigration
People from Europe immigrate to the New World
Shifting populations
Disappearance of early groups in the Americas
Arrival and prosperity of later groups (Hopi, Zuni)
2 COLONIAL PERIOD
Colonial settlers ~ 1600s
English settlers predominate
Other settlers from Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, France,
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Reasons for migration: escape war, seek political/religious freedom,
work as servants, slavery
13 original colonies
Population growth ~ 1690 – 1790
1690: 250 000 people
1790: 2 500 000 people
Colonial regions
1) New England
Settlements along Atlantic coast and rivers
Economy based on timber, fishing, shipbuilding and trade
