Section 1: History and Culture

Section 2: Regions of the United States

Section 3: Geographic Issues

CHAPTER 8

The United States

SECTION 1

History and Culture

Question:What important events occurred in American history?

SECTION 1

History and Culture

12,000 B.C. 1500s 1600s 1700s 1800s 1900s 2000s

12,000 B.C.—Ancestors of American Indians arrive from Asia.

1600s— The British begin to set up colonies in America.

1619 — Enslaved Africans arrive in the British colonies. South Africa gains independence.1600s and 1700s — Spanish colonists migrate north from Mexico into the American Southwest.

1776 — The American war for independence begins.

1800s — Migrants move west.1830 — Settlers moved as far as Texas.

1861-65 — Civil War

1920 — More Americans live in cities than in rural areas.

1917-18 — U.S. involvement in World War I

Early 1500s.—The Spanish explore the Americas.

1830s — The northeastern United States has begun to industrialize.

1848 — Gold is discovered in California.

1869 — The transcontinental railroad is completed.

1941-45 — U.S. involvement in World War II

1945-early 1990s — Cold War

SECTION 2

Regions of the United States

Question:What activities make up the economy of the Northeast?

SECTION 2

Regions of the United States

The Northeast

Financial center: New York is the country’s leader

in commerce and banking.

Manufacturing industries:

Pittsburgh is a steel producer. This industry

declined in the late 1900s.

Textiles: New York is a major fashion center.

Trade: Many cities are important

commercial centers and

ports.

SECTION 3

Geographic Issues

Question:What are some of the environmental issues faced by the United States?

SECTION 3

Geographic Issues

Pollution and acid rain

Decline in population of animals like

salmon

Creation of “dead zone” in the Gulf of

Mexico

Competition for limited

water resources

Environmental Issues in the U.S.

1. How did changing perceptions of the Great American Desert lead to changes in society?

2. How has immigration to the United States influenced the diffusion of religions and cultural change?

3. How has competition for water resources from the Colorado River affected California and Arizona? How has the river itself been affected?

4. Which states are part of the Corn Belt, the Dairy Belt, and the Wheat Belt?

5. When did the United States become the world’s only superpower? Why?

1. How did changing perceptions of the Great American Desert lead to changes in society?

2. How has immigration to the United States influenced the diffusion of religions and cultural change?

3. How has competition for water resources from the Colorado River affected California and Arizona? How has the river itself been affected?

4. Which states are part of the Corn Belt, the Dairy Belt, and the Wheat Belt?

5. When did the United States become the world’s only superpower? Why?

CHAPTER 23

Chapter Wrap-Up