The United States

1
The United States
CHAPTER 8

• Section 1 History and Culture
• Section 2 Regions of the United States
• Section 3 Geographic Issues

2
Key events in American history
Section 1 History and Culture

• Earliest inhabitants arrived at least 14,000
  years ago __________________.
• Europeans began arriving 500 years ago first
  Spanish, then English and French.
• __________________________________________.
• After independence, in 1776, U.S. established a
  ______________ of government.

3
Key events in American history (continued)
Section 1 History and Culture

• Westward expansion in the 1800s gained new lands
  but caused conflict with American Indians.
• __________________________________________________
  ___________________________________.
• Settlers occupied interior plains immigration
  swelled eastern cities.
• U.S. fought in two world wars __________ as a
  major power.

4
SECTION 1
History and Culture
12,000 B.C. Ancestors of American Indians arrive
from Asia.
1600s The British begin to set up colonies in
America.
1776 The American war for independence begins.
1869 The transcontinental railroad is completed.
1920 More Americans live in cities than in
rural areas.
1800s Migrants move west.
1619 Enslaved Africans arrive in the British
colonies. South Africa gains independence.
1830 Settlers moved as far as Texas.
Early 1500s. The Spanish explore the Americas.
1917-18 U.S. involvement in World War I
1830s The northeastern United States has begun
to industrialize.
1600s and 1700s Spanish colonists migrate north
from Mexico into the American Southwest.
1941-45 U.S. involvement in World War II
1848 Gold is discovered in California.
1945-early 1990s Cold War
1861-65 Civil War
5
Unique elements of American culture
Section 1 History and Culture

• __________________________________________
• __________________________________________
• broad public education
• distinctive forms of popular culture movies,
  jazz, sports

6
The Northeast
7
Features of Northeastern economy
Section 2 Regions of the United States

• ___________________________________________
• thriving commerce in _______________
• industrial decline in the late 1900s
• now a mix of industry, commerce, and finance.

8
SECTION 2
Regions of the United States
9
The Midwest
10
Strength of Midwestern agriculture
Section 2 Regions of the United States

• one of the worlds most productive farming areas
• abundant ___________ land
• __________ corn for export, livestock feed
• Dairy Beltmajor producer of butter and cheese

11
Southern States
12
Changes in the South
Section 2 Regions of the United States

• shift away from rural farm economy
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________________________
• ___________________________________________
• urbanization

13
Western States
14
Influence of the Western environment
Section 2 Regions of the United States

• harsh conditions limited early settlement
• ___________________________________________
• abundant minerals fueled mining economy
• ___________________________________________
• California agriculture based on irrigation

15
Environmental issues
Section 3 Geographic Issues

• huge energy consumption
• great waste and pollution
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________________________
• ___________________________________________
• dams and competition for scarce waterkey issues
  in West

16
SECTION 3
Geographic Issues
17
Natural hazards
Section 3 Geographic Issues

• __________________________________________
• flooding in many areas
• __________________________________________
• hurricanes along east coast and Gulf of Mexico

18
Changes in cities and population patterns
Section 3 Geographic Issues

• __________________________________________________
  ____________________________________
• some gentrification in inner cities, forcing out
  low-income residents
• major impact of immigration on ethnic and
  cultural mix, notably in West and South

19
Global economy
Section 3 Geographic Issues

• ___________________________________________
• shifting emphasis from tariff protections to free
  trade
• ___________________________________________