Intro to the United States and Canada
Historical Overview• Thousands of years ago, people (Native
Americans) migrated to North America from Asia.
• In the 1500s, Europeans and Africans had begun to arrive.
Colonial Heritage• Spanish settled in Florida, Texas and the
present-day southwestern United States.• French founded the colony of Quebec. • English settlers established 13 colonies on the
Atlantic Coast.
Growth• Canada and US -> Westward Expansion. – 1803, as far West as the Rocky Mountains. – 1845, Texas annexed causing a war with Mexico. – California and Southwest area ceded to USA. – 1840s, acquired Oregon Territory from British.
Conflict• 1860s, Civil War.– Regional differences and disagreements over
slavery caused war. – North won, Reconstruction Era began period of
recovery.
New Technology• Industrial Revolution – Introduced power driven machinery.– Large amount of good produced. – Jobs – Urbanization – Railroads and steamships – More farming = more crops
REVOLUTION
• : the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of one government and start a new one
• : a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc.
• : the action of moving around something in a path that is similar to a circle
U.S. and Canada’s Global Powers
• 1900s, US and Canada assumed leading roles in the world.
• Allies in both World Wars. • Continued opposition to oppression in various
parts of the world. • Economies remain vibrant, abundant
resources and technology.
US and Canada Physical Characteristics• Share a number of physical features. – High mountain chains in the west. – Plains in the central area.– Lower mountains in the East.
• Rocky Mountains form the continental divide. – Separates rivers flowing toward opposite sides of
a continent. – Separates drainage basins and tributaries.
Great Lakes• Five (5) Great Lakes border Canada and US.– Formed by Glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. – Glaciated areas are characterized by striations.
Valleys and Canyons• Erosion shapes landforms across the
continent. – Appalachian Mountains worn down by rain, ice
and wind.
Climates of US and Canada
• Latitude, elevation and distance from oceans affect climates in the US and Canada. – Canada lies farther north = Colder Climate. – Both nations have climate differences from E to W.– Eastern slopes of Rockies and plains lie in a rain
shadow.
Ecosystems• Variety in US and Canada.– Arctic Tundra– Several types of forests. – Grasslands– Desert Scrub. ** People have changed environment dramatically in most places, limiting range of native plant and animal life.
People and Culture of US and Canada• Population numbers differ greatly. – US has 275 million people. – Canada has 31 million people.
• People are very similar. – 3/4s of people in both countries live in urban
areas.– Both nations have long life expectancies. – Extensive education systems contribute to high
rates of literacy.
New York from West New York
Economies, Technology and Environment
• Both share a wide variety of resources and economic activities.
• High standard of living. • Advanced Tech. • Need of electricity • Recycling
Database: Comparing Energy resources
• Easy access to Energy • Two of the world’s largest energy consumers and
producers. • Fossil fuels are the primary sources of energy in
the United States. – Also use Hydroelectricity, solar power and wind power.– Nuclear energy produces 18 percent of energy in the
US. – 25% of all known coal in the world is found in the US.
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