Introduction+and+History+-+Anna


 * Outline English - Introduction:**

Our presentation is about the American culture. Primarily, we will focus on business culture and legal aspects. The understanding of American culture will help us to more successful in interactions with Americans during our summer session abroad and in future business communications.


 * First settlers:**

About 15,000 to 50,000 years ago the first known settlers came to America crossing the land bridge from Asia. After a period of exploration, immigrants from the Europeans countries arrived and created the first permanent settlements. (1 minute / 1 slide)


 * British influence on culture:**

After England defeated the Spanish, power shifted and American culture became similar to that in Britain. Due to their strong belief in God, the Bible and education in general were of great importance. They had to learn how to survive under those hard living conditions. Even if in 1790, already 50 percent of the colonists had already come from England, the impact of immigrants from other countries resulted in a diverse population which led to many conflicts especially between Native Americans and English settlers. (2 minutes / 2 slides)


 * Great Awakening**

As a response to the intellectual movement in Europe in the 18th century, the Great Awakening developed in America and was characterized by the encouragement of general acceptance of the principle of religious toleration. (1 minute / 1 slide)


 * Declaration of Independence**

In 1776 the United States declared its independence and defeated Great Britain with the help of France in the American Revolutionary War. This shift towards an expanding democracy and the concept of equality created on the core values of the American culture and opened up as well as further liberalized the American political culture. (1 minute / 1 slide)


 * Independence** **from Great Britain**

After winning independence from Great Britain, Americans expanded to the west and a north-south division began to form. Both parts were based on totally different opinions, especially regarding slavery. The great variation in terms of norms, values and beliefs finally caused the American Civil War in 1861 (until 1865). (1 minute / 1 slide)


 * Restriction upon immigration**

Even if Americans viewed immigrants as a necessary resource for an expanding country, few official restrictions were placed upon immigration into the United States until the 1920s. As more and more immigrants arrived, however, some Americans became fearful that their culture was threatened. (1 minute / 1 slide)

[|http://en.wikipedia.org] http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/nr/91861.htm http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/19thcentury1860.htm http://www.lifeintheusa.com/culture/worldview3.htm http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/histryotln/colonial.htm http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/histryotln/national.htm
 * Sources:**

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