U.S. History Overview

National Motto

E Pluribus Unum- It refers to the unity of the

states of the United States as well as (in modern times) the notion that the nation is a melting pot of peoples.

U.S. History Overview

In 1492, Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus, under contract to the Spanish crown, reached several Caribbean islands, making first contact with the indigenous people.

U.S. History Overview

On April 2, 1513, Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León landed on what he called "La Florida"—the first documented European arrival on what would become the U.S. mainland.

U.S. History Overview

France eventually claimed much of the North American interior, down to the Gulf of Mexico. The first successful English settlements were the Virginia Colony in Jamestown in 1607 and the Pilgrims' Plymouth in Colony 1620.

U.S. History Overview

Amerigo Vespucci is important because he was one of the early explorers of the New World, and also because the continents of North and South America were named in his honor. (He was also known by the name of Americus Vespucci.)

Vespucci was a skilled navigator. As a trader, he was very interested in finding a quicker way to sail to Asia. He went on at least two, and possibly four, voyages to Central and South America between 1497 and 1504 for Spain and Portugal. He went to many places, including Venezuela and Brazil.

U.S. History Overview

After his explorations in 1501-1502, he was one of the first explorers to come up with the idea that these places he had visited were not part of Asia (as Columbus thought) but rather were part of a "New World." In 1507, a pamphlet was published called "The Four Voyages of Amerigo" and the author suggested that the new land that Amerigo had explored be named in his honor. At first, the name of America was only meant to apply to South America, but later on, both continents of America became known by his name.

After his explorations, Amerigo returned to Seville and became its Master Navigator. He stayed in that job until he died in 1512

U.S. History Overview

America is a melting pot- People from different places and cultures who abandoned their native language and cultures to come together or “unite”

U.S. History Overview

Reasons why people came to America

Jobs – Endless opportunities in America. People could live the American Dream to own their own business and have freedom

People could go from rags to richesReligious Freedom

U.S. History Overview

America is a Democracy which is a Government for the people and by the people.

Indians were first people in America White Settlers and Indians fought White Settlers had better supplies and defeated the Indians. Geronimo vowed to kill one settler for

all ten of his children that the whites killed

U.S. History Overview Quiz

1.) What is our National Motto? a.) E Pluribus Unum b.) God Bless America c.)Long Live America

2.) What does E Pluribus Unum refer to? a.) The unity of states b.) The individualism of States c.)The idea of not having a strong federal

government

3.) Who found America? a.) Thomas Edison b.) Amerigo Vespucci c.)Henry Cortez

4.) What is America commonly referred to as? a.) The dictatorship b.) The Melting Pot c.)The East

5.) What is a Melting Pot? a.) A place where people come together and

demand they keep their culture b.) A place where people blend together and

Unite as one c.)A place where immigration is not allowed

6.) Name one reason people came to America? a.) The dream of moving from Rags to Riches b.) Religious Freedom c.)All of the Above

7.) Who were the first people to occupy America? a.) Irish b.) Indians c.)Catholics

8.) How did European settlers view sharing land with the Indians?

a.) They were willing b.) They were not willing c.)They wanted to adapt the Indian culture

9.) Why were the settlers able to defeat the Native Americans?

a.) They had better weapons b.) They believed in their cause more c.)They had better beliefs

10.) Which famous Indian who vowed to kill 10 Whites Settlers for every family member they killed of his.

a.) Osceola b.) Geronimo c.) Sequoyah