英美国情 名词解释 美国部分

英美国情名词解释美国部分

Unit3 America Beginning

1.The first English settlement in North America

The first English permanent settlement was organized in 1067 by the London Company with a charter from the English King. The colonists settled in Virginia and survived by imposing strict discipline on themselves and by transplanting tobacco into the colony of Virginia. In 1619, the settlers elected their delegates and set up the House of Burgesses, and the same time they bought and enslaved black servants. These two events greatly influenced the political and social development of the United States later.

2.Puritanism

Puritans were those who followed the doctrine教义of John Calvin and wanted to purify the Church of England. They believe that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were God’s chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being God’s elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find God’s will and establish a direct contact with God. These beliefs had great

impact on American culture.

3.The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were equal that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,. It also explained the philosophy of government: the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments were to secure the rights mentioned above. The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke.

4.George Washington

George Washington was one of the founding fathers of the America Republic. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the War of Independence against the British colonial rule and the first President of the United States.

5.Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. He participated in writing the Declaration of independence and making the US Constitution.

Unit 4 The Political System in the United States

1.The Articles of Confederation

2.A federal system

3.The making of the US Constitution

4.The executive

5.The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments which were added to the Constitution in 1791. The Bill of Rights was passed to guarantee freedom and individual rights such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble in public places, the right to own weapons and so on.

Unit 5 American Economy

1.Eli Whitney

2.Samuel Slater

3.Industrial Revolution in America

4.Corporation 美国股份（有限）公司

5.Service industries