At that time, representatives from 13 states gathered in Philadelphia, held the second continental congress, strengthened their determination for war and independence, and signed the famous Declaration of Independence on July 4th. It marks the formal separation of British colonies in North America and Britain, and the road to independence and nation-building.
I. Introduction to the United States
1. The full name of the United States of America was originally a British colony. The United States of America is a constitutional federal republic, consisting of fifty states and a federal special administrative region, bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west, Canada in the north and Mexico in the south. The United States is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country; Its land area exceeds 9.62 million square kilometers, ranking third or fourth in the world; The total population exceeds 300 million, ranking third in the world. Since 1870, American national economy has been ranked first in the world.
2. The first known use of the name "America" can be traced back to 1507, when it appeared on the map of the world drawn by German cartographer MartinWaldseemüller. On his map, the name is shown in capital letters in what is now South America, in memory of Amerigo Weiss Pucci. The Italian explorer was the first person to assume that the West Indies did not represent the eastern border of Asia, but a part of previously unknown land. 1538, Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator used the name "America" on his world map and applied it to the whole western hemisphere.
3. The first documentary evidence about the word "United States of America" can be traced back to1776 65438+1October 2, when Stephen Moylan of Esquire wrote a letter to George and Joseph Reed, Washington's assistant. Moilan expressed the hope that "from the United States of America to Spain, there are strong enough forces" to seek assistance from revolutionary war efforts. The first known publication of the word "United States of America" was an anonymous article published in the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg, Virginia, with the date 1776. In the second draft of the federal clause drafted by John Dickinson and completed no later than June 1776, John Dickinson declared: "The name of the Federation should be' United States of America'." The final version was sent to the States for approval at the end of 1777, and it was pointed out that "the gatekeeper of this Federation is the United States". ? 1in June, 776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the word "America" with the title of "primitive eating and drinking" in his Declaration of Independence. 1776 June 2 1, it is not clear whether it was written before or after Dickinson used this term in the draft federal clause of 17 in June.
Second, American history.
1607, a colonial group of about 100 people established Jamestown in Schabik Beach, which was the first permanent colony established by Britain in North America. In the following 150 years, many colonists came and settled in coastal areas, most of them came from Britain, but some came from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and other countries. 1In the middle of the 8th century, 13 British colonies gradually formed, with their own government and parliament under the supreme sovereignty of Britain. Due to the differences in climate and geographical environment, these 13 colonies have different economic forms, political systems and concepts. 1775, the American people broke out the war of independence against colonial rule. 1776 On July 4th, George Washington became the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and issued the famous Declaration of Independence, announcing the establishment of the United States of America. American history has since opened a new era and opened a new chapter. After the war of independence,1September 3, 783, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, which was recognized by all countries in the world. After independence, the United States actively expanded its territory, and its territory gradually expanded from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. Significant changes have taken place in the economy, and the north-south economy has developed in different directions. The contradiction between north and south is getting worse. From April 186 1 to April 1865, the war between the south and the north of the United States was also called the American civil war. In the end, the bourgeoisie led by the North won and unified the whole country. Later, after a series of reforms, the United States completed the industrial revolution and greatly increased its economic strength. Two world wars laid the foundation for the United States to dominate the capitalist world.
Third, the roots of the American War of Independence
It was British colonial oppression that hindered the development of capitalist economy in North America.
At that time, the capitalist economy of British North American colonies developed rapidly and became the mainstream of economic development. At the same time, there are also many backward economic components. After 100 years of development, the economic exchanges between British colonies in North America have become increasingly close, and a unified domestic market has initially formed. At the same time, in the process of long-term communication and integration, English became the common language of all colonies and gradually produced a common culture. On this basis, the American nation began to form. The national consciousness is gradually awakening. /kloc-In the first half of the 8th century, the Enlightenment spread in the British North American colonies, and some outstanding thinkers emerged, such as Franklin and Jefferson. The national and democratic consciousness of British North American colonies is increasing day by day.
/kloc-In the middle of the 0/8th century, the economy of British North American colonies developed rapidly, with developed industry and commerce in the north, abundant wheat in the middle and prosperous plantations in the south. Many products produced in North America can even compete with British products in the international market. In the "Seven Years' War" of 1756- 1763, Britain and France fought a long war for the control of the North American colonies. Although Britain defeated France and controlled most of North America, it was in financial trouble because of the long-term war. As a result, the British government continuously increased taxes on the North American colonies, implemented a high-pressure policy, and oppressed and brutally exploited the colonies. Britain hopes that North America will always be its raw material producing area and commodity market, and tries its best to suppress the economic development of the colonies and seek more wealth from them. The colonial people were dissatisfied with British exploitation and slavery, and the contradiction between the two sides became increasingly acute, which eventually led to the outbreak of war.
The declaration of independence consists of four parts:
The first part is the preface, which expounds the purpose of the Declaration.
The second part highly summarizes the most radical political thoughts of the bourgeoisie at that time, that is, the theory of natural human rights and the idea that sovereignty belongs to the people.
The third part narrates the crimes of British oppression of the colonial people in North America, showing that the colonial people were forced to take up arms under unbearable circumstances, trying to demonstrate the legitimacy and justice of independence.
In the last part of the declaration, the United States solemnly declared its independence. 1776 The Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4th. July 4th was the day when the resolution adopted the declaration, and then it was printed. The declaration was signed by most representatives of the Parliament on July 2nd, 1776.