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.