英语国家概况-美国部分【清晰完整版】

I. Location and size

1. The full name of the United States is the United States of America. The continental United States lies in central North America with Canada to its north, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to its south, the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west.

Alaska and Hawaii are the two newest states in America. Alaska borders on northwestern Canada and Hawaii lies in the central Pacific.

阿拉斯加和夏威夷是最近加入美国的两个新州。阿拉斯加在加拿大的西北部，夏威夷位邻中太平洋。

2. The U.S has a land area of 9.3 million square kilometers. It is the fourth largest country in the world in size after Russia, Canada and China.就面积而言，美国是世界第四大国，就人口而言，美国是世界是第三大国。

3. Of all states of American, Alaska is the largest in area and Rhode Island the smallest. But on the mainland Texas is the largest sate of the country.

所有州中，阿拉斯加是面积最大的州，罗得岛最小，在美国，最大的州是得克萨斯州。

II.Topography

1. Mountains

(1)The two main mountain ranges in American are the Appalachian mountains and the Rocky mountains. The Appalachians run slightly from the northeast to southwest and the Rocky mountains run slightly from the northwest to southeast.

阿巴拉契亚山脉和落基山脉是美国的两座大山脉。（本细节有考“一句话简答题”的可能）

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(2)The Appalachians are lower than the Rockies because they are older. The Rocky Mountains are younger, so they are higher.

(3)The Rockies, the backbone of the North American Continent, is also known as the Continental Divide. 落基山脉是北美的脊梁，也叫分水岭。 2. Rivers and lakes Rivers

(1)The Mississippi River is the largest river in American, over 6000 kilometers. The Mississippi has been called \"father of waters” or \"Old Man River\"

密西西比河是美国最长河流，有被称作“众水之父”或“老人河”。

(2)Missouri river is the chief headstream of the Mississippi River 密苏里河是密西西比河的主要源头。 (3)The Ohio River has been called the American Ruhr. As in Germany, the area along the river is rich in valuable deposits of high-grade coking coal and is well known for its steel industry. The river provides cheap water transportation for raw materials.

俄亥俄河被称作美国的鲁尔河，就像德国一样，沿河有丰富的高品千周的焦煤，并且因其钢铁而著名。另外，该河还为原材料提

供了廉价的水路运输。

(4)On the Pacific side there are two great rivers: the Colorado in the south and the Columbia, which rises in Canada.

太平洋沿岸有两大河：科罗拉多河及哥伦比亚河。

(5)The Rio Grande River forms a natural boundary between Mexico and the United States.

格兰德河是美国和墨西哥之间的开然界河

(6) The most important lakes in the United States are the Great Lakes. They are Lake Superior, which is the largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Michigan (the only entirely in the U.S.), Lake Huron, Lake Eire and Lake Ontario. They are located between Canada and the United States except Lake Michigan. 美国最重要的湖泊是五大湖：苏必利尔湖，密歇根湖，休伦湖，伊利湖和安大略湖，其中，苏必利尔湖为世界最

大淡水湖，密歇根湖完全是美国境地内。

III. Climate

1、Different types of climate in different region

1) A humid continental climate湿润的性气候is found in the north-eastern part of the country. (东北部) 2) In the south-eastern United States you can find a humid subtropical climate.(湿润的亚热带气候东南部） 3）the continental desert climate of the Great Plains and the continental desert climate of the intermountain region. 湿润的性气候带和湿润的亚热带气候带向美国西部延伸，一直到西经100°的地区。由此再向西，这种

气候逐渐被大平原的性草原气候和山区的性沙漠气候所取代。

4）The Pacific northwest is favored with a maritime climate（海洋性气候--太平洋西北岸）

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5）The southern part of the Pacific coast in California（加州太平洋沿岸南部） has a Mediterranean climate (地中海式气候）with warm, dry summers and moist winters. 2、the influenced factors of the climate in the U.S.

Many factors besides latitude influence the climate in the United States. Perhaps the most important forces are the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Great Lakes.

美国的气候除受纬度影响外，影响美国气候的最主要的因素为：太平洋，和大西洋，墨西哥湾，五大湖。

IV．Geographical Regions

Traditionally from the east to the west the United States can be divided into seven geographical regions.美国从东到西可分为七个地理区。 1、New England

(1) New England is made up of six states of the Northeast .Because of its stony soil it is not noted for its agriculture .Dairying is the most important farm activity, New England is also well-known for its position in education, Many famous universities and colleges such as Yale, Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) are located here.

新英格兰由美国东北部六个州组成，由于土壤多石，不利于农业生产，乳制品业是最重要的农业活动，许多重点大学如耶鲁大学，

哈佛大学和麻省理工学院都坐落于此。

（2）New England is sometimes called the birthplace of America. It was the chief centre of the American War of Independence of 1776 and was also the nation’s first industrial area. 新英格兰有时被称为美国的诞生地。这里是美国1776年战争的主要中心，也是美国第一个工业区。

（3）New Englanders were originally knows as Yankees, which came to stand for all American.

新英格兰人最初曾被称作“美国佬：这一名称，后来渐渐指所有的美国人。（选择）

2、The Middle Atlantic states contain 6 states.

(1)The Middle Atlantic States have about one fifth of the total population of the united states.

大西洋中部各州的人口占美国总人口的1/5。

(2)The nation’s capital city Washington D.C. and New York are located here.

首都华盛顿和纽约市都在此地区。

3、The Midwest includes 12 states

(1)The soil is rich, the rain usually plentiful and the growing season long. These factors make the Midwest America’s most important agricultural area .It is also a major manufacturing region and the nation’s leading center of heavy industry. 中西部地区是美国最重要的农业区，也是主要的制造业区各最主要的重工业区。 (2)Chicago, the largest and busiest port on the Great Lakes, is the largest industrial and commercial center of the area. 芝加哥是五大湖最大最忙的港口，也是该地区最大的工商业中心。

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(3)Detroit is known as the automobile capital of the world. Omaha is known as the agricultural capital of the United States. 底特律被称作“汽车之都，奥马哈被称作农业之都。 4、The American South includes 13 states.

(1) Florida holds a special attraction for winter vacationers, whereas the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains are popular with tourists during the summer months.

佛罗里达对冬季度假者有特殊的吸引力，而大雾山和蓝岑山则倍受夏季旅游者的青睐。

(2)The South is also the headquarters of a large segment of the rocket and missile industry.

很大一部分火箭和导弹工业也设在这里。

5、Beyond the fertile Interior Plains lie the 11 states that make up the vast region of the American West. 肥沃的内陆平原以西，有十一个州，这就是美国的西部，占美国陆地面积的三分之一。

(1)Dry farming, irrigation farming, and the cattle and sheep herding are the main activities of the Great Plains of the American West. 旱地农业，灌溉农业和牛羊牧业是美国西部大平原地区的主要活动。

(2)Colorado has been called the steel city of the west ,Denver is the largest city of the Great Plains.

科罗拉多市被称作“西部钢城”，丹佛市是大平原地区最大的城市。

(3)West of the Great Plains are the Rocky Mountains. Mining is the chief industry of the Rocky Mountains. Another important industry of the Rockies is the tourist trade. The government has set aside large areas of land as national parks. Among the most famous of these parks are Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Glacier National Park.

大平原的西边是落基山脉。采矿业是落基山区的主要工业，另一个主要行业是旅游业。划拨大片土地作为国家公园。其中著名的有：黄石国家公园、落基山国家公园、冰川国家公园。

(4)Leadville is the highest city in the U.S. which still preserves a living picture of the past.

位于科罗拉多州，海拔3050米的利德维尔，是美国最高的城镇，如今这里仍然保持着活生生的昔日景象。

(5) The largest groups of Native Americans are found on the Colorado Plateau.

美国最大的土著群落位于科罗拉多高原。

6、The Pacific Coast includes the western parts of Washington and Oregon and nearly all of California. 太平洋沿岸地区包括华盛顿州和俄勒冈州的西部地区以及几乎全部的加利福尼亚州。

Important cities in this region include Los Angeles, the Pacific Coast’s largest and busiest commercial city, San Francisco, the second largest city in California, Portland, the largest city in Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, the largest city in the northwest.

这个地区的重要城市有太平洋沿岸最大最繁忙的商业城市洛杉矶；加利福尼亚的第二大城市旧金山；俄勒冈最大的城市波特兰以及华盛州西北部最大的城市西雅图。

7、Alaska and Hawaii are the 49 and 50 states.

(1) Alaska has the largest land area of all the states, and Hawaii has one of the smallest land areas.

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阿拉斯加是美国所有州中面积最大的州，夏威夷则是面积最小的州。

(2)Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, is located on Hawaii and erupts from time to time. Sugar cane and pineapples are Hawaii’s main crops. Tourism is Hawaii’s most important industry.

莫纳洛阿火山是世界最大和活火山，甘蔗和菠罗是夏威夷的两大作物，旅游业是夏威夷最重要的产业

(3)Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and Juneau is the capital of Alaska.

火奴鲁鲁是夏威夷的首府，朱诺是阿拉斯加的首府

Chapter 14 Population, Race and Ethnic groups

I. Introduction

1. The United States of the American is the third most populous county in the world after China and India. 美国是世界人口第三大国，仅次于中国和印度。

2. Immigration accounts for a major source of population growth. The United States has a more or less open-door policy to immigrants from independence until 1960s.Ellis Island of New York was an important immigration reception spot in the 10s and at the turn of the century.

19世纪末20世纪初，纽约的埃利斯岛是一个重要的移民入境接待点。

3. Almost 20 million people or 7.8% of the total population were immigrants in 1992.Between 80% and 90% of immigration to the United States now is from Asian and Hispanic countries.

如今美国移民的80%到90%主要来源于亚洲和拉美国家。

4. Arizona, Nevada and Florida have been the fastest growing states in population for the last 20 years. 在过去的二十年里，亚利桑那，内华达和佛罗里达是人口增长最快的州。 II. Immigration

1. The first immigrants in the American history came from England and Netherlands, ①some running away from religious and political persecution, ②some coming as adventurers from the Old World (Europe) to seek a better life, ③some as indentured servants who had to work for a fixed term for their masters to repay the cross-Atlantic fare and debts.

美国历史上的第一批移民来自英国和荷兰，一些人是为了逃避宗教和政治，一些人是为了寻求更好的生活而来的旧(欧洲)的冒险家，还有一些人是契约劳工，他们必须为主人工作一定的时限，以偿还他们横渡大西洋的费用和债务。

2. The first of these immigration waves began in the mid-1810s and reached the highest point in 1845.The second wave covered the period between 1860 and 10. The largest of the three immigration wave in American was from 10-1914.

三次移民浪潮中最大的一次是10-1914年。

III. Population Movement

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1. One in five American moves to a new home every year seeking new job opportunity, a better climate of other goals. 有1/5的美国人每年搬一次家。

2. There are four great population movements in the history of the United States。 (1)the First 1865-1880 east coast ------west (2)the Second 1980-1920 rural areas ------cities

(3)the Third 1920----1960 the south/black people ----other areas (4)the fourth 1960-now Northeast /Central-N ----the West/the South IV. Racial and Ethnic Minorities 1. Blacks

(1)The largest of the racial and ethnic minorities in the United States is the blacks who number about 12.1% of the population. The first blacks were brought to North America as slaves in 1619.

美国人口最多的少数民族是黑人，大约占总人口的12。1%，第一批黑人作为奴隶于1619年运抵北美。

(2)Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Roots are two novels giving a vivid description of the miserable life of the black slaves.

(3) The slave system was formally ended by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. 2. Hispanics

(1)Three major Hispanic groups historically have had the greatest influence on the United States. They are Mexico-Americans or Chicanos, the Puerto Ricans and the Cuban-Americans. 三大对美国影响最大的讲西班牙语的群体为：墨西哥后裔美国人，波多黎各人，古巴裔美国人。

(2)The most important obstacle to Hispanic success in the labor market is their low education. Hispanics have the highest school dropout rate of any major racial and ethnic group. 3. Asian- Americans

The Asian-Americans are the fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in the United States. The largest groups of Asian-Americans are the Chinese-Americans. Experts say three Asian traditions best explain the success of Asian-American: education, hard work, and family. 美国少数民族人口中增长最快是亚裔美国人，亚裔美国人中又以华裔美国人最多，专家指出亚洲三大传统可以用来解释亚裔美国人

的成功：教育，工作努和和家庭。

4. Indians 5. White ethnics

Traditionally, the mainstream Americans were called WASPs, that is, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. 传统上讲，美国人的主流是祖先为英国新教徒的白人。

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Chapter 15 American History (1)

（1600—1900）

I．Discovery of the New World

1. The \"first American \"were the Indians. [12.大题4] 2.Discovery：① In the late 15th century Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, thought he could reach India by sailing west. Supported by the Spanish queen, he led his men to sail across the vast ocean in 1492 and reached some small islands in the now west Indies. He thought he had reached Asia and didn’t know he had discovered a New Continent. ②Another navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, proved that the land was not India, but a new continent. Therefore, the land was named America after that. II. The Colonial Period

1.The first English colony in the Americas was founded at Jamestown ,Virginia, in 1607.Between 1607 and 1733 the British established 13 colonies along the east coast of North American.“ [08.6]

最早的美国人”是印地安人，英国于1607年在美国建立了第一块殖民地，即在弗吉尼亚的詹姆斯，1607-1733年间，英国在北美洲的东海岸建立了十三个殖民地。

2. Reasons:

①opportunity for better life:

a. nobles; b. workman; c. poor and homeless. ②religious freedom:

●

Pilgrims are artisans and peasants

a. 1620Mayflower; b. Thanksgiving

In 1620,201 of Pilgrims sailed to the New World in a ship called Mayflower. They arrived at Plymouth and built the Plymouth colony. 1620年，有201名英国新教徒乘坐一名为”五月花号“的船到达了普利茅斯并建立了殖民地

●Puritans are wealthy, well-educated gentlemen. 清教徒

In March 1630, the great Puritan migration began. From 1630 to 13, some 200 ships transported over 20000 Englishmen to the Massachusetts Bay colony. 从1630-13年，约有200艘船把2万英国人抵马萨诸塞州湾殖民地。

3. The colonists were building a new way of life in the New World. There were a number of features which would play a role in forming the American character. They were: representative form

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of government, rule of law, respect of individual rights, religious tolerance and a strong spirit of individual enterprise.

殖民主义者新生活方式的这些特点在美国人性格形成中发挥了重要作用：建立代义制，法治，对个利的尊重，宗教上的宽容及强烈的个人进取心。

III. The War of Independence (1775-1783) 1.Reason：

①Colonist—more power

②British government: a. control; b. more taxes (Stamp Tax印花税) ③Immediate cause: Boston Tea Party 波士顿茶事件

a. reason: The British government allowed the company to sell tea at a lower price in the colonies through its own people, which took away the tea business from American tea merchants. b. process: Some Boston residents dressed as Indians boarded the ships at night and threw many tea into the harbor.

c. In September 1744, the First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia which encouraged American to refuse to buy British goods.

1744年9月，第一届会议在费城召开，鼓励美国人拒绝买英货。

2. Process: ①Paul Ride;

②Lexington shot: In 1775, about 1,000 British soldiers were to seize the military supplies of the militia in Concord. When the British soldiers set out, a lantern flashed word to Paul Revere who rode off on horseback to arouse the villages. When the British soldiers arrived at Lexington they were met by militiamen. Suddenly a shot was fired and then others followed. The war of Independence had begun. ③Second Continental Congress: a. Found Continental Army and Navy;

b. The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The Declaration is a clear explanation of the political theory behind the revolution and this theory came from the British philosopher John Locke. [09.9]

《宣言》是由托马斯。杰文逊起草的，它明确阐述了支撑这场的政治理论，这一理论来源于英国著名哲学家约翰。洛克。

④Saratoga—turning point—French help.

On the Christmas Day of 1776, the Americans defeated the British troops at Trenton, New Jersey. Not long afterwards, the Americans troops defeated the British at Saratoga in Northern

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New York. This was a great turning point of the War of Independence, leading directly to an alliance between the U.S and France.

1766年的圣诞节，美军在新泽西的特伦顿挫败英军，这之后不久，美军在萨拉托加击败英军，史称“萨拉托加大捷”这次胜利被认为是北美战争的转折点，并直接导致美法联军的建立。

⑤1782, Yorktown, Cornwallis, surrendered.

⑥1783, Treaty of Paris, recognized the independence of the U.S.《巴黎和约》，英正式承认美国。 3. Significance:

a. just war; b. Good for capitalism development; c. International influence. IV. A New Form of Government 1. Articles of Confederation 《联邦条例》 ①unusual:

a. no king, but republic;

b. have central government, but emphasis state’s power; c. written constitution ②weakness:

a. there was no national executive or law-enforcing branch; b. congress is too large to function; c. congress has no power to raise taxes.

③A conference was held in Philadelphia in May 1787 to consider what should be done to make the Articles of Confederation adequate. All of the states except Rhode Island were represented at the Constitutional Convention.

1787年在费城召开的制宪会议上，除了罗得岛外，其他所有州都参加了，大家讨论如何使《联邦条款》能够满足需要。

2. Struggle during the convention

①Between: a. bigger states and smaller states;

b. industrial-commercial interests and landed interests.

②Final: Great Compromise, i.e. giving each state an equal vote in the Senate but making representation in the House reflect the seize of each state’s population.

\"大妥协\"最终解决了各方分歧:各州在参议院中享有相等席位，而众议院的席则应按各州的人口分配。

3. Struggle during ratification 是否通过 ①Between:

a. Federalists b. Anti-federalists

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a. Federalist Paper (Beginning in 1787, the newspaper of New York City carried a total of 85 letters written under the name of Publius. Later they came to be called the Federalist Papers, which are regarded as the best explanation of the constitution as well as one of the most important works on political theory.)

b. Anti-federalists, concerned the absence of Bill of Rights in the Constitution

②Final: Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution, which was called the Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791 which promised to protect individual rights. 成为的前十条修正案正案被称为《法案》。 4. Ratification

①1787, Delaware (first state).

②17, first Congress, Washington (first president).

③17, Madison, 12 Amendment with 10 of them be adopted as Bill of Rights. V. The War of 1812

The U.S went to war with Britain in 1812, the last war fought between these two countries.

英美最后一次交火是1812的英美战争。

1. Causes

①War in Europe between Britain and France → Britain’s blockade → American’s ban toward both countries → lift ban against France first → anger Britain. ②British removing seaman → anger America.

③American’s desire for territorial expansion → harm Britain’s interest

2. Only the force under Andrew Jackson later won a victory over the British at New Orleans. 3. Impact

① realize the importance of a strong national government. ② strengthened the feeling of national unity and patriotism. ③ turned to the development of the western part of the continent. ○4 realize that disputes should be solved through negotiation. VI. Territorial Expansion and Westward Movement 1. Processes

① Old Northwest - England. ② Mississippi River (open) - Spain.

③ Louisiana Territory (sell) - France, Napoleon, 1790. ④ Florida, Gulf coast (cede) - Spain.

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⑤ Texas - Mexico, 1845.

⑥ California, New Mexico - Mexico (1846-1848).

⑦ Arizona, New Mexico - Gadsden Purchase, Mexico, 1853.

在独战后十三的印第安战争中，美国人适使英国放弃了旧西北地区，使西班牙开放密西西比河，促使拿破伦把路易斯字那志给美国，在1853年的加兹登购买中，另外的3万平方米的墨西哥土地也为美国领土。

2. Manifest Destiny.

① the inevitability of the founding of the United States of America; ② the legitimacy of the expansion of American Territory;

③ the spread of American democracy being the task of American people who were chosen to do the Lord’ s work. VIII. The Civil War 1. Reasons.

① slavery: a. north - disappear; b. south - suited.

②Westwards arise problem of whether slavery should be allowed to spread into these areas, and it result in the Compromise of 1850: a. California – free state;

b. New Mexico and Utah - territories. ③ abolitionists.

④ South - Confederate States of America; North - Union. 2. Processes

① at the beginning of the war → set backs;

② Emancipation Proclamation → support the Union;

●In the Civil war, Lincoln realized that he could win support for the Union at home and abroad by making the war a just war against slavery. So he issued the famous Emancipation Proclamation. (08.7)

美国内战期间，林肯发表了《奴隶宣言》

●On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln made a short speech on the occasion of dedicating the national cemetery at Gettysburg. He ended his speech with these memorable words: “That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

1863年11月9日，林肯在葛底斯堡阵亡将士公墓落成仪式上发表了简短的演说，他以另人难忘的语言结束了演说“民有，民治，民享的永远不会从地球上消失。

③ Gettysburg victory → turning point;

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The Union army under the command of Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederate army at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This victory was the turning point of the Civil War.

北方联军在尤利西斯。格兰特的指挥下，在宾夕法尼亚的葛底斯堡击败了南方联盟军，葛底斯堡大捷是美国内战的转折点。

④ Gettysburg Address; ⑤ South surrender, 1865.

3. The two famous leaders of black movement in the U.S in the 1830s were Garrison and Frederick Douglass. 在19世纪30年代两位著名的黑人领袖为加里森和道格拉斯 VIII. Rapid Growth of Capitalism after the Civil War. 1. Reasons

① stable environment and capital; ② labor supply;

③ science and invention → accelerate;

④ high taxes on foreign imports to increase the sale of domestic goods; ⑤ natural resources.

Chapter 16 American History (2)

（1900-1945)

I. Economic Development 1. Features

Large corporation, urbanization and new technology were the three features in the growth of American economy at the beginning of the 20th century.

大公司的出现，城市化及新技术的迅速发展是美国20世纪初经济增长出现的三大特点。

①a. emerged a growth of industrial and financial mergers;

b. appeared a professional managerial class.

●In 1880,the U.S ranked first in the world in the production of steel; in 1900, the U.S. produced 245million tons of coal, ranking first in the world. 1880年美国钢产`量世界第一，1900年煤产量世界第一。 ② urbanization; ③ new technology.

●In 1903,the Wright brothers flew a plane for a brief 12 seconds at Kitty Hawk,North Carolina. This was the beginning of the appearance of the plane. In 1911,Glenn E.Curiss designed and flew a successful plane.莱特兄弟发明了第一架飞机，但只飞行了12秒。1911年格伦E库利斯设计了一架飞机，并成功试飞。

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Ⅱ.Progressivism 进步主义

1. Muckrakers refer to those journalists who expose dark side. 黑幕揭发者(一群富有改革思想的记者)揭露了表面繁荣的社会的各种阴暗面。

2. Progressive Movement ask for government’s regulation in social, political, and economic. 3. Roosevelt’s contribution

① forest reserve, irrigation project (Roosevelt Dam in Arizona). ② stop mergers (Sherman Antitrust Act).

③ regulate railroad prices, do away with rebates. (Hepburn Act)

(1)收回两亿英亩公用地作为森林保护区，开始大规模灌溉工程建设，比如，由联邦出资并监管的亚利桑那州的罗斯福水坝；(2)积极利用谢尔曼反托拉斯法阻止垄断性的商业合并；(3) 利用1906年通过的《赫伯恩法》规范铁路运价，废除回扣。

4. Wilson’s New Freedom.

① reduce tariffs, and put certain items on the free list; 内战以来第一次降低关税10%，而且一些商品都被列入免关税。 ② pass the Federal Reserve Act to decentralized the banking system;

通过《联邦储蓄法》，对银行系统不再实行要权管理，向曾被忽略的南部和西部提供更好的银行设施，在的监控下，保证联邦银行发行的货币能适应需要。

③ regulate trusts; 通过发布不公平贸易行为和设立联邦贸易委员会听取投诉，并进行调查来节制托拉斯。 ④ low rates’ loans for farmer; 给农场主提供低息贷款。

⑤ 8-hour workday for railroad workers and better treatment of seamen; 规定铁路工人8小时工作日，改善船员待遇。 ⑥ income tax; 开征《所得税》。

⑦ adopt the 19th amendment of voting right for women. 通过给予妇女选举权的第19条修正案。

Ⅲ.World WarⅠand the United States 1. Reason for World WarⅠ:

fierce struggle between two imperialist power groups for colonies, markets and spheres of influence, and of an intense arms race. 2. Policy: Pro-Ally. 支持同盟国的

① Britain and France get support; Germany gets little support. ② U.S. protest British blocking, but threaten German sinking.

At the beginning of the WWI, the U.S. was impartial neither in action, nor in thought. It pursued a policy of pro-Ally partiality.

第一次世界大战开始时，美国宣布保持中立，但在行动和思想上都没有做到中立，美国真正奉行的是支持同盟国的。

3. Reasons for America to join the war:

① Germany refused to give up its submarine warfare;

② Britain and France exhausted by the war, and might lose the war and bring great harm to American business interest;

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③ Germany was trying to get Mexico into the war against the United States. 4. Results

①Peace Conference: 巴黎和会

a. dividing colonies of Germany, Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire; b. grabbing as much as possible from the defeated nations. ② Big Four: United States, Britain, France, Italy ③ Fourteen Points, advance American interests 十四点计划实际是为了美国利益 ④Versailles Treaty System in Europe; Washington System in Asia 在欧洲建立凡尔赛和约体系，在亚洲建立的华盛顿体系

Ⅳ.The United States in the 1920s

1. Background: spiritual frustration and material success

(from a debtor nation to a creditor, further urbanization, new technology, mass production).

许多历史学家把美国的20年代描写成一个物质上成功、精神上颓废或迷惘和漫无目标的时期。战争的结果是美国从一个债务国(欠别国钱)变成了债权国。20年代城市化进一步发展，新技术和大规模生产也得到进一步发展。

2. Government’s help.

The government in this period gave direct or indirect help to industry and business and showed little interest in regulation or control.

这个时期的给予工商业直接或间接的帮助，对规范和控制企业不感兴趣。

3. Intolerance nationalism: a. Red Scare;

b. death sentence of Sacco and Vanzetti (Many historians wrote that they died for their political views, their radicalism);

c. KKK (Ku Klux Klan was first organized in 1866 and then reformed in 1867. It terrorized and attacked not only blacks, but also progressives, labor union organizers, Communist or socialist party members). Ⅴ.1930s

1. Great Depression a. GNP shrank;

b. jobless and unemployed went up; c. banks failed; d. rural no better.

The stock market crash was the beginning of long economic depression in the late 1920S and 1930S. 股票市场的崩溃是1929-1933年的经济大萧条的开端。

2. The first blow to the stock market came on October 24, 1929, called the black Thursday.

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3. Franklin D. Roosevelt ① fireside chats 炉边谈话

He was a great communicator, able to talk to people in all walks of life. His “fireside chats” over the radio were listened to by millions of people.

他是一位伟大的社交家，可以和各行各业的人士畅谈。他，通过广播进行的\"炉边谈话\"有数千万的美国听众。他很会把握时机，他在白宫期间充分利用了他的这些优势。

② Famous words:

“This nation asks for action, and action now.” “save American democracy”.

③ New deal [08.8]

a. establishment and strengthening of government regulation and control of banking, credit and currency systems;建立和加强对银行、信贷和货币系统的监管和控制，克服金融危机，某些金融资本的极端行为; b. federal government management of relief and establishment of social security systems;

联邦管理救济，并建立社会保障系统，比如，设立民间水土保护队和田纳西流域管理署;

c. stimulation of the recovery of industry and agriculture;剌激工农业的恢复;

d. formulation and implementation of federal labor laws to raise the role of labor;

制定和实施联邦劳工法，以提高劳工在生产关系中的作用;

e. improvement of the situation of minorities and religious groups.改善少数民族和一些宗教团体的状况。 ●The aim of President Roosevelt’s new measures was to save American democracy and the capitalist system. 罗斯福总统“新政”：措施的目的在于拯救美国民主“及克服资本主义制度有史以来最严重的经济制度。 Ⅵ.World WarⅡ and the United States 1. Reason:

①struggle between the great powers for control of the world

②military expansion of the countries of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and militarist Japan.

第二次世界大战是大国之间争霸世界和纳粹德国、法西斯意大利及军国主义的日本进行军事扩张的结果。

2. American policy:

① isolationist (to keep the United States out of the fighting that was going on in Europe and Asia) ② 3 Acts (preventing the United States from being dragged into the war) 3个中立法案 → ③ away from Acts 偏离中立法案 → ④ Lend-Lease program 租借法案 →

⑤ declare war (the booming of Pearl Harbour) 3. Wartime subjective 战争目的

① the total destruction of the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan).

② the establishment of a world order in accord with American ideals and interests.

美国的战时目的是彻底摧毁轴心国，无条件胜利之后，按照美国人的理想和利益建立世界秩序。

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4. The two guiding principles [11,7] ① win the war

② establish a post war political structure in accord with American interests and to prevent the

Soviet Union from over-expansion 5. Wartime American diplomacy [11.7]

Wartime American diplomacy largely was American diplomacy towards Britain and the Soviet Union. ●towards Britain ① defeat Germany first; ② policy towards Soviet Union;

③ status of former colonies after the war.

首先这两个国家制定出欧洲第一的战略计划，也就是集中一切力量击败德国。第二是这两个国家的对苏问题。两国一致同意他们应该尽所能支持前苏联继续战斗下去。但是斯大林格勒战役之后，很明显前苏联不再有被击败的危险，此时两国开始更加担心前苏联的对外扩张。延缓开辟第二战场就反映出不让前苏联有快速扩张的可能性。第三是战后原来的殖民地的地位问题。在这一点 上英美两国意见完全不同。美国渴望夺取英、法原来的殖民地，让他们成为的国家。那样的话，美国很容易影响这些国家。英国对美国的设计极为敏感，竭力保护它自己的利益。

●towards Soviet Union: ① keep Soviet Union in war; ② Soviet Union against Japan; ③ Soviet Union’s foreign policy.

(1)继续让前苏联参战以使美国可以用最小的牺牲来获取战争胜利;(2)让前苏联参加对日战争;(3)影响苏联的外交以便战后可以达成某种合作，但同时要非常小心前苏联的扩张企图。

6. Three summits 美、苏、英三次首脑会晤

① Teheran: overlord, a large-scale attack on the south of France

第一次首脑会议于1943年11月在德黑兰举行。会议决定1944年5月发动对法国南部的大规模进攻，代号为霸王行动。

② Yalta: United Nation 第二次会议于1945年2月在雅尔塔举行。会议实际通过了战后三大国势力范围的重新划分，并决定成立一个世界组织--联合国。也是在这次会议上，罗斯福得到了斯大林的承诺:击败德国后三个月后前苏联将对日本宣战。

③ Potsdam: confirmed the temporary division of Europe

第三次会议于1945年7、8月间在柏林城外的波茨坦举行。这次会议确认了雅尔塔会议关于欧洲格局的暂时分配。

必背解释

1. The Muckrakers(黑幕揭发者)

The Muckrakers were a group of reform-minded journalists who made investigations and exposed the dark sides of the society.

2. the Progressive Movement(进步运动/进步主义)（Progressivism）

It was a movement at the turn of the 20th century which demanded government regulation of the

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economy and social conditions, spread quickly with the support of large number of people across the country. The Progressive Movement was not an organized campaign with clearly defined goals. Rather, it was a number of diverse efforts at political, social and economic reforms. 3. Laissez faire(放任主义)

It was an economic practice which stressed that the management of the economy should be left to the business people and the government should merely preserve order and protect property. 4. the Red Scare(红色恐惧)

Between 1919 and 1920, the Red Scare happened in America where at that time a highly aggressive and intolerance nationalism existed. On November 7, 1919 and January 2, 1920, the Justice Department launched two waves of mass attests. Over 4000 suspected Communists and radicals were arrested and many were forced to leave the U.S. 5. the Ku Klux Klan(KKK)三K党

The KKK was first organized in 1866 and then reformed in 1867 after the Civil War in the South and by 1924 it claimed a membership of four to five million. It was a violent society which terrorized and attacked on not only blacks ,but also progressives, Communist and socialist party members, etc.

6. the New Deal(罗斯福新政)

It was put forward by American President Roosevelt who wanted to do something to deal with the Great Depression at that time. It passed a lot of New Deal laws and set up some efficient social security systems. The New Deal helped to “save American democracy” and to overcome the most serious economic crisis of the capitalist system up to that time. 7. Isolationism(孤立主义)

It was the American foreign policy in the early 1930s.It tried to keep the U.S. out of the fighting that was going on in Europe and Asia.

Chapter 17 American History (III)

In post-W.W.II Era (1945-1980S)

Ⅰ.The origins of the Cold War

1. Origin: separate concepts of postwar world order

2. American’s policy: containment policy; 1946, Kennan, telegram.

On Feb 22, 1946, George Kennan, a high-ranking official in the American embassy to Moscow, wrote in the telegram that the U.S. policy should be vigilant containment of Russian expansive

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tendencies. Later the containment policy became the official policy towards the Soviet Union.

1946年2月22日，美国驻莫斯科大使馆高级乔治·坎南向美国发回一封长长的电报，分析了前苏联的意图并提出建议。他在电报中写道，美国的应该是\"长期的、耐心的、但又要坚决、谨慎地遏制前苏联的扩张倾向\"。后来遏制成了对前苏联的官方，直至19年。

Ⅱ.The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

1. Truman Doctrine [11.9]

The open declaration of the containment policy was made by President Truman on March 12, 1949 in a speech to the joint session of congress.

1949年3月12日杜鲁门总统在国会联席会议上公开宣布了遏制。

① The U.S. government would support any country which said it was fighting against Communism;

美国的必须支持自由人民反对少数武装人员或外来压力的企图. 也就是说，美国将会支持任何自称反对主义的国家。这就是杜鲁门主义。

② Greece, Turkey The Truman Administration decided to provide aid for these two countries. 2. Marshall Plan [10.9]

① In order to protect Western Europe from possible Soviet expansion, the United States decided to offer Western European countries economic aid;

为了保护西欧不受苏联扩张影响，美国决定给予西欧国家经济支援，此举后来被称作“马歇尔计划。”

② Secretary of State, Marshall, 1947; 因为它是1947年6月5日由国务卿乔治·马歇尔提出的 ③ Western Europe.

Ⅲ.Berlin blockade and the Founding of the NATO 1. Berlin blockade 柏林封锁 ① causes:

a. merging of the three Western-occupied zones of Germany三个西部占领区的合并 b. currency reform by them 西方三大国对德国的货币改革 ② Soviet Union’ s objection 苏联的反对

The Soviet Union, fearing that the measure, which is the three powers decided to introduce a new Mark, might affect the economic situation in its occupied zone. ③ Western Power’ s rejection ④ Russians cut off Western routes

⑤ United States start airlift 杜鲁门启动大规模空运 ⑥ 1949, Russians lifted the blockade 2. Consequence

① It pushed the West Berliners and the Western European further to the side of the United

States.

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② It enhanced the prestige of the Truman administration.

③ It pave the way for the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty and the founding of the West

Germany.

3. The North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 [08.9]

It marked the beginning of U.S. efforts in setting up a military alliance around the Soviet Union and its allies. 美国对条约的批准标志着美国开始致力于在前苏联及其盟国周围建立军事同盟。

●The North Atlantic Treaty provided that an attack on an of the parties to the treaty would be regarded as an attack on all, and force, if necessary, would be used to restore and maintain peace and security. 4. Germany

① West Germany, the federal Republic of Germany, 1949.5. 德意志联邦共和国

② East Germany, German Democratic Republic (Soviet Union), 1949.10. 德意志民主共和国 Ⅳ. U.S. Support of Chiang Kaishek and the Korean War 美国支持蒋介石和朝鲜战争 1. Support Kuomintang: 1950, 7th Fleet, Taiwan.

When the Korean War broke out in June, 1950, Truman sent the 7th Fleet to the Taiwan Straits to prevent the PLA from liberating Taiwan.

1950年6月朝鲜战争爆发，美国杜鲁门第七舰队进驻海峡，阻止中国人民。

2. Korean War: 1950-1953, Yalu River. Ⅴ. McCarthyism 麦卡锡主义

1. Alger Hiss case 阿尔吉尔·希斯的审讯

Hiss was an official of high position in the State Department. He was accused of being a Soviet spy. Later he was declared guilty of making false statements in court. 希斯是的高级，被指控为

前苏联间谍。后来，他被判在法庭上做伪证有罪。(直到近几年来，希斯的名誉才被洗清)。

2. McCarthyism McCarthy was U.S. senator in the early 1950s. He started his campaign by saying in 1950 that he had the names of over 200 Communists in the State Department. However, he couldn’t point out a single one at that time.

Later he accused General Marshall and Eisenhower of helping the Russians in their drive for world domination. His campaign of accusation and anti-Communist hysteria was called McCarthyism. 3. Role of the court

① The court also played a role in approving the lawfulness of anti-Communist activities. The Supreme Court decided that the Smith Act was in line with the Constitution. It also confirmed the conviction of 11 high-ranking Communist leaders on the ground that they violated the Smith Act.

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② Smith Act: Made it unlawful for any group to advocate or teach the violent overthrow of government in the United Sates, or for any person to belong to such a group. Ⅵ. The Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s

1. Little Rock Incident: governor, black students, Little Rock, Eisenhower (艾森豪威尔) 2. Rosa Parks Incident: Rosa Parks, black, bus, seat, arrested

1955年12月，在阿拉巴马州的蒙哥马利，中年黑人女工罗落·帕克斯结束一天的劳累工作从商业区的百货商店下班回家，她拒绝给刚上车的白人乘客让座，她因此被逮捕，并被罚款10美元。她的被捕激起了长达一年的抵制公共汽车公司运动。

3. Martin Luther King Junior

a national leader of the Civil Rights movement, boycott(抵制运动)

4. In December, 1956, the Supreme Court decided Alabama’s segregation laws unconstitutional. This ended segregation in public transportation in Alabama.1956年12月，最高判决阿拉巴马州的种族隔离

违宪，这结束了阿拉巴马州公共交通领域存在的种族隔离。

VII. American Society during the Postwar Boom: 1945-1960s 1. Economic boom (25 years)

automobile, housing, and defense industries 2. Baby boom (1946-1961)

construction boom, automobile manufacturing, military spending VIII. The Cuban Missile Crisis 古巴导弹危机 [09.4]

When the Cuban Missile Crisis happened in 1962,the president of American is Kennedy, the president of Russia is Khrushchev.

1962年古巴导弹危机爆发时，美国在位总统为肯尼迪，苏联首领为赫鲁晓夫。

Ⅸ. The Vietnam War [11.2] 1. Processes

① Beginning: to support France ② Main force: replace France

③ Americanized: the war was fought with American money, weapon, and soldiers ④ Antiwar

⑤ Vietnamization: the war building up South Vietnamese troops to replace American fighting force ⑥ Ceasefire 2. Impact

①The United States was weakened as a result of the long war

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②American society had never been so divided since the Civil War ③There was serious disagreement within the ruling circle (War Power Act)

④The image of the United States was discredited

Ⅹ. United State’s Relations with China–Taiwan Problem [12.7] 1. Hostility: ① 1959, Mutual Defence Treaty; 互助防御条约

② Taiwan Straits Crises.

2. Friendly:

① 1960s-1970s, U.S. look for a way to improve relation: a. get China’s help to withdraw from South Vietnam; b. work with China against Soviet Union

② 1972, Nixon visited China, Shanghai Communique. ③ 1979, establish diplomatic relation. 3. Three conditions:

a. U.S. withdraw its troops from Taiwan; b. U.S. end diplomatic relations with Taiwan; c. U.S. cancel the Mutual Defence Treaty. 4. Taiwan Relations Act

Ⅺ.Reform, Radicalism and Disappointment 1961-1973 [12.2] 1. Reform

①New Frontier, Kennedy: promising civil rights for blacks, federal aid to farmers and to education, medical care for all and the abolition of poverty.

②War on Poverty, Johnson: wipe out poverty through education and job training programs. It greatly reduced hunger and suffering in the United States. ③Supreme court uphold: a. Civil Rights Act of 19; b. Voting Rights Act of 1965. 2. Radicalism 激进主义

① Martin Luther King’s non-violent; Malcolm X’s violent.

② black nationalism: the concept that black peoples everywhere in the world shared a unique history and cultural heritage that set them apart from whites. ③ Huron: 休伦港

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a. Students for a Democratic Society.

b. Port Huron Statement: condemned racism, poverty amidst plenty, powerful corporations, and Cold War.

c. Free Speech Movement

④ Counterculture: a movement of revolt against the moral values, the aesthetic standards, the personal behavior and the social relations of conventional society. Revolutionaries like Mao Zedong became models for some of them. Millions of college youths experimented drugs. Music became the chief vehicle for the counter culture attack on the status quo. ⑤ Feminism, National Organization for Women.

Ⅻ. Watergate Scandal [08.10]

On the night of June 17, 1972, police at the Watergate apartment-office complex in Washington D.C. arrested five men who illegally broke into the offices of the Democratic National Committee. These five men proved to be working for Richard Nixon’s Committee to Re-elect the President. Nixon resigned because of Watergate Scandal ,the first president to do so in American history.

水门事件使尼克松成为美国历史上第一位辞职的总统。

ⅩⅢ. New Conservatism and the Election of Ronald Reagan 1. Reasons for New Conservatism

U.S. suffered from “stagflation”. Not only were prices rising, economic growth was slowing. Accompanying the slower growth was rising unemployment. People became more and more disappointed and dissatisfied. American prestige became much lower abroad.

从70年代中期起，美国开始遭受经济滞胀，即经济停滞(没有或少有经济增长)，同时伴随通货膨胀。不但物价飞涨，而且经济增长也缓慢下来。

2. New Right 新右派

It consists of two groups of people: the firm believers of Protestant religious teachings, who were more concerned with social and moral issues, and the intellectuals who were more concerned with political and foreign policy issues. 3. Programs:

The New Right demanded equal time in school for the teaching of man created by God as opposed to the teaching of evolution, opposed abortion and “affirmative action”, that is, preferential treatment for minorities and women in education and employment, demanded tax cuts and cuts in social security spending and the rebuilding of American military strength.

他们比较关心社会和道德问题;另一个是比较关心政治和外交问题的知识分子。新右派要求学校 用同样长的时间传播进化论和与之相对的上帝造人，反对堕胎，也反对\"肯定行动\"--对少数民族和妇女在教育和就业方面的优惠待遇，要求减税、削减社会保险方面的开销，重建美事实力。

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重要概念

1. The Truman Doctrine 杜鲁门主义 2. The Marshal Plan(马歇尔计划) 3.McCarthyism（麦卡锡主义）

4.Montgomery bus boycott（蒙哥马利抵制公共汽车公司运动） 5.The New Frontier（新边疆号召） 6.The Counterculture （反文化运动） 7.Watergate Scandal（水门事件） 8.The little Rock Incident（小石城事件）

Chapter 18 The Economy 美国经济

Introduction

1.Fastest: ① less than 6% of the world’ s population ② produce about 25% of the total world output 2. Factors:

①the geographical location provides very good conditions

②rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil and moderate climate ③enough labor supply

④good quality of available labor

I. The Economic System of the United States

1. System: free-market economy with a dominant private sector 美国的经济是一个以私营为主的自由市场经济 ① privately produce 85% of the total output of the nation

② professional produce 3% of the total 从事性行业的人们如医生、律师和会计

③ government produce 12% of the total 2. Government policy

Little involvement → involvement → Keynesian → monetarist 3. Problem: inflation, unemployment, stagnation, foreign debts, trade deficit. 4. Feature: a high degree of monopoly 高度垄断 Ⅱ.Natural Resources 1. Fertile soil 2. Forest resources

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①Wood, resin and other forest products are the basic raw materials ②Forests account for 31% of the total land 3. Water

①The rivers and streams of America furnish 63% of the water supply for cities, towns and

farmlands

②93% of the water used by industries 4. Rich in minerals:

①U.S. is among the world leaders in the production of coal, iron ore, copper, oil, sulfur, lead, and

zinc

②U.S. is scarce in tin, manganese, and nickel

5.The production, processing and marketing of such petroleum products as gasoline make up one of America’s largest industries. Ⅲ.American Agriculture 1. Figures

①farmers make up 2.7% of the total population ②grows 1/4 of the world’s grain

③supplies 1/2 of the exports of grain in the world (corn, wheat, rice, soybeans, oranges, meat,

milk, apples, oats, cotton, tobacco, peanuts and edible vegetable oil). 2. Modern equipment 3. Types ①corn 玉米

a. produce 50% of the total in the world

b. Corn Belt - Midwest - Iowa (leading producing state). ②wheat 小麦

a. Wheat Belt

b. spring wheat – North Dakota (leading) c. winter wheat – Kansas (leading)

③rice: ranks 2 in the export of rice in the world after Thailand ④cotton: a. leading commercial crop in the South; b. Cotton Belt ⑤tobacco: the world’s biggest producer and user ⑥animal farming:

a. ranching 经营大牧场

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b. cowboys, which refers to ranch-hands or workers. ⑦dairy farming

a. Dairy Belt (milk) – Midwest

b. rank of milk production: Wisconsin, New York state.

⑧fruit: Washington ranks 1 in the production of apples in America. 4. Problems:

Farming is a tricky business; it is influenced by those factors: ① varies rainfall ② unexpected hailstorm ③ insect pests ④ changeable price ⑤ government’s support spend a lot of money Ⅳ.American Industry 1. General feature

Manufacturing accounts for about 1/4 of the GDP, about 1/4 of the national income, and over 1/5 of the work force.

2. Midwest round the Great Lakes. ① general feature:

a. the nation’s leading center of heavy industry b. It is most important in the production of motor vehicles and other transportation equipment, nonelectrical machinery, and fabricated metals. ② factors for industrial leaders

a. raw material b. Mineral

c. cheap and convenient transportation d. skill labor home market 3. Middle Atlantic States ①general feature

a. highly industrialized region b. produce chemicals, machinery, electrical equipment, textiles, and metal goods.

②factors: a. location; b. skilled workers supply and a good home market; c. transportation and shipping facilities; d. materials. 4. South

①general feature: newly developed industrial region;

②factors: a. rich natural resources and raw materials; b. good labor supply and a large home market; c. good transportation; d. seacoast provide good harbors for industrial expansion.

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③fastest growing cities: Huston (the third busiest port in U.S.), New Orleans (the second, the first is New York), Atlanta, Dallas, Louisville, Birmingham, Miami, and Norfolk (the sixth) ④major cities:

a. North and South Carolina and Georgia are the South’s leading textile manufacturing states b.Birmingham is an important iron and steel producing city of the South c.Texas is the country’s leading state in oil and natural gas deposits

d. Houston is now the greatest commercial center of the Southwest and the chemical capital of the world (a center of petrochemical and synthetic rubber production / the home of the space center) 5. Pacific Coast

①general feature: a. the land of opportunity; b. California state, the most populous state, first in manufacturing, second in instrument making and lumbering and petroleum refining ②major cities:

a. Los Angeles, the Pacific Coast’s largest and busiest commercial city b. San Francisco, the second largest city in California, is in an excellent position to trade with the Far East and the islands of the pacific. Ⅴ.Foreign Trade

1. General situation: The United States is the largest importer in the world, and it’s exports are about 15% of the worlds total.

2. Reasons: It imports about 13% of all world imports, for the heavily dependent on foreign sources for a number of essential primary products. 3. Countries:

a. Canada is the largest single source of goods imported by the U.S., accounting for nearly 30%

of the total.

b. Europe is the largest source of imports with about 30%.

c. Asia provides about 18% of American imports, with smaller percentages from Latin America,

Africa, and Australia.

Ⅵ. Problems in the U.S. Economy

Problems: Unemployment, inflation, financial deficit, and trade deficit.

必背解释

1. Monetarist policies(货币主义)

Since the American economy was plagued by stagflation, in the early 1980s, the traditional

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Keynesian theory (传统的凯恩斯理论)was replaced by new monetarist, which sought to fight inflation by increasing supply and reducing demand. On one hand, taxes were cut to increase economic dynamism. On the other hand, interest rates were raised to reduce the supply of money.

2. Briefly discuss the factors that contributed to the fast growth of the American economy. 简要论述

美国经济迅速增长的几个因数：

The fast growth of the American economy has been contributable to many factors:

1> The geographical location of the U.S. provides very good conditions for the country to grow and become strong.2>the U.S has been by being a land rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil, together with a moderate climate.3>American has been fortunate in having enough people to provide the labor necessary for a constantly expanding economy.4>The U.S has a skillful and willing labor force. The American labor force is not only hard-working ,but also willing to experiment, to change and to learn new technology.

Chapter 19 Political institution政治制度

问题探究：和英法等国的三权分立相比，美国的三权分立制有何特点？

2003年3月，美国总统为推翻萨达姆,向国会提交议案,并召集国会,要求美军攻打伊拉克,众议院和参议院经讨论投票,不同意总统提议,双方僵持不下,只好提交最高投票表决,经过激烈的讨论,最高裁定同意总统的提案.于是,总统签署命令,国会拨出军费,并正式对伊拉克宣战,战争打响了.

阅读资源：美国的国会、总统、是如何相互制约的？

比如说，国会作为立法机构通过了一个法案，总统作为行政机构可以表示不同意，并且行使他的否决权，国会如果坚持，就必须达到三分之二的票数才能立这个法。相反，总统提出的法案，也必须经过国会的投票，国会可以通过，也可以反对。而作为司法部分的最高，有权对总统和国会提出的任何法案进行审查，然后，它不仅有对法案的解释权，而且，有宣布这些法案是否违反的权力。但是，最高本身又没有提出法案和立法的权力。这三个权力分支机构的这种状态，就是权力的平衡和制约。

由于总统是国家元首，从形式上不向任何机关负责。但作为英国内阁的第一大臣，首相必须与内阁全体成员对议会下院负有连带政治责任。议会下院如果不支持内阁的施政方针时，首相和内阁有两种选择：一，内阁集体辞职；二，呈请国王下令解散议会下院，重新选举下院，由新选出的下院来决定内阁的去留。

美国总统有英国首相不具有的立法否决权。根据美国联邦第1条，第7节，第2款规定，国会通过的法律议案，必须经总统签署方能生效，如果总统不赞成该法案可以否决。总统实现否决权的方式有两种：一，直接否决权，即总统收到国会议案10天内（星期日除外）将议案连同拒签意见返回提案议院复决，除非国会两院各以2／3多数票再次通过议案，否则其议案不得成为法律。二，搁置否决，即总统收到议案10天内不作任何表态，且正赶上国会休会，议案视为已被否决，此种否决又称为“口袋否决权”。如艾森豪威尔总统在任期间行使否决权181次；杜鲁门总统行使否决权250次。

美国总统具有英国首相所没有的军事权。美国总统是美国联邦陆海空军及为联邦服役的各州民兵的总司令。享有统帅、指挥及调动的权力，有权任命三军军官，有权处理平时战时的军事事务和监督军法的执行。对外宣战权虽然属于国会，但是总统经常采用不宣而战进行对外战争，向海外派兵。

美国总统具有英国首相不具有的任命联邦法官和最高法官的权力。他可以利用这种权力干预和影响司法工作。

美国总统具有比英国首相更大的外交权。美国联邦规定，总统和国会共同行使美国对外关系方面的权力。总统和国务卿一起处理与外国间的全部官方关系，并保护海外美国人的安全和利益。总统有权决定是否承认新国家和新，有权同其他国家谈判，缔结条约，但是缔结条约必须取得参议院2／3的多数议员讨论通过批准才有效。总统与外国缔结行政协议，不需要经过参议院批准。

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美国的内阁不是决策机构，而是总统的顾问机构。总统是的首脑，内阁成员由总统任命，哪些人入阁，哪些人出阁，内阁成员的任期，内阁会议何时举行，都取决于总统个人的意志，总统掌握一切决策权。内阁只向总统负责，不向国会负责，因而称之为总统内阁。而英国首相虽然是内阁，但必须与内阁集体保持一致，同时，必须对议会负连带政治责任，接受议会的监督。

由此看来，似乎是美国总统占了上风。

但是美国总统权力要比较大地受到国会两院的制约，因为美国是非常典型的三权分立制度。英国首相则不然，首相本人乃是执政党领袖，对党内有较大的权威；其本人及大部分内阁成员是议会下院议员，另外一些内阁成员则是议会上院议员；英国的上议院同时也是英国最高，在英国进行司法制度改革之前，上议院议长同时也是最高院长同时也是大法官部，这个人是内阁的一位大臣，归首相管。并且，首相领导的政党由于在议会占大多数席位，因此一般来说议会都会顺利通过其提案，尤其是重要的提案。从这个意义上来说，英国并非三权分立的国家，因而首相权力受到的约束也要比美国总统小得多。

在提交立法提案方面，美国总统与国会完全分离，总统不得同时兼任国会议员，不能参加国会立法的讨论和表决，国会中的各种立法提案都由国会议员提出。而英国首相同时兼任议会下院的议员，有立法创议权，可以直接地向议会提交法律草案，参加立法活动。虽然美国总统可以通过向国会提出国情咨文、预算咨文、经济咨文、特别咨文等形式倡导国会立法。（1933年，富兰克林·罗斯福总统实行新政以来，这一途径就形成了一种政治惯例。）还可以委任立法，即国会通过立法对某些需要解决的问题，确立基本的原则和目标，具体细则授权总统及其行政部门通过行政命令和行规的方式处理。（从约翰逊到肯尼迪继承的新边疆就具体解释和发挥了美国联邦的民权法案、减税建议法案、医疗补助法案和教育事业补助法案。）但从总体来讲，美国总统还是通过迂回的方式参与立法，不像英国首相可以通过直接方式参加议会立法的法案提出、讨论和表决。英国首相在上述方面的自由度显然更大。

总的来说，两者不分伯仲啊。握个手吧！

由此看来，两国的首脑在行使权力方面都有不少的。这么做的原因是为了防止权力的过于集中。先贤孟德斯鸠的观点是：“当立法权和行政权集中在同一个人或同一个机关之手，自由便不复存在了；……如果司法权同立法权合而为一，则将对公民的生命和自由施行专断的权力，因为法官就是立法者。如果司法权同行政权合一，法官便将握有压迫者的权力。如果一个人或是……同一个机关行使这三种权力，即制定法律权、执行公共决议权和裁判私人犯罪或争讼权，则一切便都完了。”

卢梭在《社会契约论》中提到：君主制只适宜于富饶的国家；贵族制只适宜于财富和版图都适中的国家；民主制则适宜于小而贫穷的国家。即使是最适宜的环境下，与之相适应的政体未必也是最佳的政体。因为民主制可能蜕化成暴民统治；贵族制则蜕化成寡头政治；至于君主制，则可能变成恐怖的。之所以政体会蜕化，是因为没有权力的制约。一切拥有权力的人都容易滥用权力，这是亘古不变的真理。

Ⅰ.The U.S. Constitution

1. The Constitution of the United States is the basic instrument of American government and the supreme law of the land. It is the oldest written constitution in the world. 2. How was it drafted?

①After the War of Independence, the thirteen colonies became thirteen independent nations. ②They don’t want to give up their independence, so they set up a loosely knit organization. ③At the Second Continental congress, they adopted a constitution, the Articles of Confederation. 《邦联》

④But, they found there were weakness within it. ⑤They try to revise this weakness, but they failed. ⑥This turned out to be a new constitution.

⑦The new constitution was officially adopted on March 4, 17. (first passed by Delaware in 1787)

3. Federal system 联邦制

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Two layers of rule: 两个治理层

① central or federal government

全国的或联邦，有权对影响整个国家的问题独自做出决定

②state and local governments 州和地方

4. Separation of Powers: checks and balances分权制：制约与平衡(制衡原则) ①three branches:

a. the legislative; b. the executive; c. the judicial. ②How do they limit each other?

Each has part of the powers but not all the power. And each branch of government can check the actions of the other branches. The three branches are thus in balance. For example, Congress may pass a law, but the president can veto(否定) or cancel it. Then Congress may pass the law again with two-thirds vote and the president cannot veto it. But the law may still be cancelled if the Supreme Court decides that it goes against the Constitution. ③Underlying idea:

“You make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens;” -- James Madison, one of the chief writers of the Constitution

\"就可以使多数人不太可能有一种侵犯其他公民权利的共同动机，或者，如果确 有这种相同的动机存在，那么对于所有有这种动机的人来说，他们将很难找到自己的力量并合作一致行动\"。

5. Provisions for amendment 修宪条款

①Changes would be needed from time to time if the Constitution were to endure and keep pace with the growth of the nation.

②Their solution was to devise a dual process by which the Constitution could be changed. a. The Congress may initiate an amendment with 2/3 vote in each house. b. The legislatures of 2/3 of the states may ask Congress to draft amendments.

c. In either case, amendments must have the approval of the 3/4 of the states before they enter into force. 6. Bill of Rights法案

① When the Constitution was being drafted, some people find there was not include a bill of

rights. They were disappointed. The supporters of Constitution agreed to work for a bill of rights but the Constitution had to be adopted first.

② The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Ⅱ.The Executive Branch 1. The Presidency

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① general: The President is called the first citizen and his wife is called the First Lady. His official residence is the White House. A president can be elected to office only twice. ② qualification: a natural-born American citizen with an age at least 35 years old. ③ presidential election: every 4 years (in years divisible evenly by 4) on the first Tuesday of November. ④ “winner-take-all”: The presidential candidate with the highest number of votes in each state

wins all the electoral votes of that state. (except Maine)

美国制度的总统选举方式独具一格。尽管总统候选人的名字被印在选票上，然而从技术上讲，各州的人民实际上不是直接选举总统(和副总统)。相反，他们选出各州的总统选举人，人数要与各州的国会参议员和众议员总数相等。在每一州中获得票数最多的总统候选人便赢得该州的全部选举人票。这被称为\"赢者全赢\"制度，它适用于除缅因州外的各州。

⑤ Electoral College: Comprised by the electors of all 50 states and the District of Columbia (538

person).

⑥ the 20th Amendment: The presidential term begins on January 20, which was on March

before 1933.

⑦ steps after the election:

a. with an inauguration ceremony, the President starts his official duties;

b. by an inaugural address, the President outlines the policies and plans of his administration;

c. finally, there is an oath-taking ceremony, which is administered by the Chief Justice of the United Sates.

2. Presidential Powers ① Legislative powers:

The President shares certain lawmaking powers with Congress. (write or veto bill) ② Executive powers:

a. The highest duty of the President is the execution, or carrying out of the law; b. He can issue executive orders;

c. He is the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States. ③ Powers in foreign affairs:

With the Secretary of State, President is responsible for the relations of the United States with foreign nations. ④ Judicial power:

The Constitution allows the President to give reprieves (which stops the carrying out of a

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sentence) and pardons (which forgives an individual for a crime one may have committed) in federal criminal cases. He can even offer an amnesty (which give pardon to a group of people).

允许总统对联邦刑事案发布缓刑令和赦免令，缓刑令阻止审判的执行。赦免令宽恕一个已经犯罪的人。总统还可以赦免一群人，即所谓的大赦。

3. The Executive departments ① President’s Cabinet:

The head of the departments, chosen by the President and approved by the Senate, form a council of advisers.

② Executive Office of the President:

Ⅲ.The Legislative Branch

1. Two-chamber Congress: Senate and House of Representatives.

2. Powers of the House and Senate ① House of Representatives:

a. revenue bills;

b. bring charges of federal official. ② Senate:

a. confirm appointments; b. ratify treaties;

c. try cases of federal official.

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国会的两院各都有权就任何问题提议立法，但税收法案必须首先由众议院提出。参议院也有自己的权力，包括有权批准

总统对联邦高级的任命，2/3多数票批准各项条约。在指控联邦犯罪的案件中，只有众议院有权指控可能导致审讯的错误行为。参议院独自有权审问这些案件，以判定们是有罪或是无罪。

3. Officers of the Congress

① Senate: President of the Senate (Vice President) ② House of Representative: Speaker of the House 4. Functions of the Congress

① The most central function is the passage of laws.

② Another function include investigate and compel testimony. 国会最重要的非立法职能就是调查权。国会调查是立法机构可用的重要手段。目的是要使公众了解和参与国家事务。国会的第

二个重要权力是强迫不愿意做证的人作证，以藐视国会罪指控拒绝作证的证人，以伪证罪指控做之人。

Ⅳ.The Judicial Branch

1. The judicial system has evolved into 4 layers: ① the Supreme Court 最高 ②11 courts of appeals 11个上诉 ③91 district courts 91个地方

④3 courts of special jurisdiction 3个有特殊司法权的 2. The Supreme Court

① The Supreme Court is the highest court of the United States and is the only organ which has the power to interpret the Constitution.

② The Supreme Court at present consists of a Chief Justice and eight Associate justices. ③ The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in only two kinds of cases: those involving foreign

dignitaries, and those to which a state is a party. 3. Courts of Appeals and District Courts

① Courts of Appeals help handle cases and ease the burden on the Supreme Court. And District

Courts do the same function to Courts of Appeals. ② 91 district courts comprised by:

a. districts (among 50 states);

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b. 1 in the District of Columbia;

c. 1 in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (which is not a state of the union but the part of the United States).

Ⅴ.Political Parties

1. Political parties are the basis of the American political system. In general, America has a two-party system, the Democrats and the Republicans, dominate politics at the federal, state and local levels. 2. History

① 18th: two major parties aroused when the debate over the ratification of the Constitution

began.

② 1828 – 1860:

③ 1860s – 1920s: Republican Party ④ 1920s – 1980s: Democratic Party 3. Differences

①On economic issues:

a. Democrats traditionally favour government intervention; b. Republicans stress the role of the market more. ② On social issues:

a. Democrats support a strong social security system;

b. the Republicans oppose large governmental social security programs.

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4. Features

The two parties are actually loose political coalitions. The two parties both believe in individualism defend capitalism and uphold private ownership of means of production.

在组织方面，两党实际上是松散的政治联合体。两家的政党之所以被说成是一个联合体是因为它只是一种各州的政党的联合，而这些州政党又是各地方政党的松散同盟。两党派还是都信奉个人主义，保护资本主义，坚持生产资料私有制。

5. State parties

The state parties are independent and the National Committee does not have any power over them nor can it remove any of the officials elected by them. In fact, it is a coalition of interests and interest groups. 6. Main function

American politics is party politics and no one can hope to win any election if he does not have a party to back him. So a party’s main function is to help its candidates win elections. It is almost impossible for an independent candidate to win an election, especially a nation-wide or state-wide election.

7. Reasons of decline of American political parties’ influence

① the decline of patronage using the Party’s influence to bring material benefits to its followers; 包括利用党的影响给其追随者带来物质利益的那种减弱了；

② the wide use of direct primaries initial voting by members to select candidates for elections. 广泛采用直接初选，由党员选出大选候选人

Chapter 20 Education

Ⅰ.Education

1. It is a general view that every American has the right and obligation to become educated. Americans believe that, through education, an individual acquires the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities which will enable him to fit into society and improve his social status. 2. Characteristics of American Education

① Formal education in the United States consists of elementary, secondary and higher education. Elementary and secondary education, which forms public education, is free and compulsory. ② Some schools, colleges and universities are public and others are private. ③ Diversity is considered to be an outstanding characteristic of American education.

a. Education is a function of the state, not the federal government. There is not a national system of education in the United States.

b. On the other hand, there is a remarkable sameness in these systems. Ⅱ.Elementary and Secondary Education

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1. Elementary and secondary education in the United States covers 12 years for ages 6 through 18. 2. The revenues to operate schools primarily come from states and localities.

3. It is common that each state delegates its power to an elected or appointed state board of education.

4. The typical organizational pattern for elementary and secondary schools is that of graded schools.

① Usually, the elementary school covers grades 1-8 and the high school 9-12.

② The pattern under which the elementary school covers grades 1-5 or 6, the junior high school 6

or 7-9, and the high school 10-12 is also common.

5. There is a certain degree of similarity in the elementary school curriculum. It mainly consists of mastery of the“basics”, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic or mathematics. Social studies, science, foreign languages, music, health and physical education are also included in almost all grades above the third.

6. High schools are made up of comprehensive, academic, vocational and technical schools with somewhat different tasks. A typical high school curriculum includes almost all the subjects for elementary schools, but is more specialized. ①English courses stress grammar and literature.

②History is split into separate courses in American history, American government and European

history.

③Algebra, geometry and trigonometry are offered, and a one-year course in general science, and then more detailed courses in biology, chemistry and physics are usually required. ④Many high schools offer dozens and sometimes hundreds of electives, ranging from philosophy and creative writing to community services.

7. A typical school day is 6-7 hours, and a typical school year is 180 school days, usually beginning classes in early September and finishing the school year soon after the end of May. Ⅲ.Higher Education

1. Higher education in the United States began with the founding of Harvard College in 1636. 2. According to the 1994 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, there are 125 research universities, 111 doctoral universities, 529 master’s comprehensive colleges and universities, 637 liberal arts colleges offering BA degree, 1471 junior colleges and 722 specialized institutions.

3. The system of higher education in the United States has three principal functions: teaching,

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research and public service.

4. Famous universities are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the east, as well as Stanford and Berkeley on the west coast. 5. The total funding for higher education was approximately $100 billion. There is a fierce competition for dollars from public and private sources. Administrators both at public and private institutions usually spend a major part of their time trying hard to find resources to support their institutions.

6. New York, Rhode Island, and Michigan set policy for education at all levels, but other states have separate university boards for higher education. Except for some colleges sponsored by the Catholic church, all colleges and universities in the United States, public and private, are governed by a board of trustees composed primarily of laymen.

除了一些由天主教会办的学院直接向教会的汇报外，美国的所有学院和大学、无立还是私立，都由一个主要由外行人员(不是学校职业人员)组成的托管委员会管理(在公立学校通常被称为董事会)。基本认识是外行比内行更有可能代表公众的利益，行内人士组成的委员会的决定可能会过分照顾行内的利益。

① The board has total authority as the legal body responsible for the institution, although it delegates much of it to administrators and faculty.

委员会作为对学校负责的法人全权管理学校，尽管它把很多权力授予了学校管理人员和教师。

② In most states, trustees (or regents) for boards of state colleges and universities are nominated by the governor of the state, subject to approval by the state senate.

在大多数州，州立学院和大学的委员会托管人(或董事)须由州长提名，并提交州参议院批准。60%的公立社区学院的董事是由当地选民选举产生。

7. Admission to an institution is determined by each college or university. It is selective and competitive, especially in private institutions.

①The general standards for admission include successful completion of high school, high school grade point average (GPA) and class rank, courses studied in areas of English, mathematics, and science, and results from standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing Program’s examination (ACTP).

②However open admissions are also being practiced in some public institutions. Admission to some of these institutions requires a high school diploma or its equivalent, but in most cases, involves almost no restriction.

8. Students pay tuition and other educational fees for the higher education they receive. Tuition varies from year to year, state to state and institution to institution, and there is a significant

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difference between tuition rates in public and private institutions.

① In the past 10 years, tuition has risen tremendously by almost 2 or 3 times.

② Professional programs, both in private and public institutions, are generally even more expensive.

③ For students from other states, the cost is usually doubled. International students fall into the category of out-of-state students, but private colleges and universities charge the same rate of tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

9. In almost all undergraduate curricula in the United States, the student takes a fixed part of the undergraduate curriculum in general education. The part varies considerably.

10. The general education requirement in a college or university applies to all students regardless of their field of specialization and includes studies in writing, literature, history, biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, social-behavioral sciences and fine arts, usually at the freshman and sophomore levels.

11. The community called for education to serve the good of both the individual and society. ① Five main functions.

a. It prepares students for transferring to a BA program at a four-year institution.

b. It provides vocational training for people who are already working or expect to be working in the near future.

c. It gives remedial instruction to higher school students who are under prepared for college academically and adults who did not learn basic skills in elementary or secondary school.

d. It offers recreational, cultural activities for adults who are not seeking regular vocational or academic skills.

e. It absorbs students in a four-year program who are not qualified into a lower-status vocational program.

②The guiding principle of community college is higher education for everyone and the philosophy that equality must mean equal opportunity for self-realization and for the recognition of individual differences.

③The community college as an institution is one of the most important innovations in the history of American higher education. It has played an important role in making higher education more accessible and in meeting the needs of educated adults, employees of local business, professionals requiring certification as well as community organizations. Ⅳ.Adult Education

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1. It is called “continuing education” programs or “lifelong education” programs. Ⅴ.Education Reforms

1. In the 1980s, the problems in education again drew the attention of many people. A report entitled “A Nation At Risk” was issued points as follows: ① high rates of adult illiteracy; ② declining SAT scores;

③ decline of educational standards.

2. At the beginning of 1990s, people found that the reform efforts of the 1980s had little impact. Concern was widespread that American school children were not well-prepared for life in the twenty-first century.

3. In 1995, some improvement has been made in American schools, but there are still some problems. (“America 2000: An Education Strategy”) ①The nation’s high school graduation rate remains 86%. ②There has been no increase in the enrollment for college.

③Violence is still a serious problem in American schools and the number of students who take drugs keeps going up.

Chapter 21 Literature, Architecture and Music

Ⅰ.American Literature

1.Benjamin Franklin was the only writer in the colonial period whose works are read today. ①“Lost time is never found again” “God helps those who help themselves” are very famous sayings in his Poor Richard’s Almanac, which is an annual collection of proverbs.

②His uncompleted Autobiography is perhaps the first real American writing as well as the first real autobiography in English. 2. Washington Irving ①The real American literature began after the American War of Independence and Washington Irving was the first American writer who gained international fame.

②The period from 1810 to 1840 is known as the “knickerbockers era” of American literature. ③His most famous book The Sketch Book contains two of the best-loved stories from American literature: “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. The plots of both stories are based on old German folk tales but Irving fills them with the “local color” of New York’s Hudson River Valley.

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3. Emerson and Hawthorn

①In the 1830s and 1840s, there emerged a movement among American young intellectuals which emphasized man’s potentiality for goodness, creativity, and self-development. Ralph Waldo Emerson was regarded as the leader of the movement. ② Emerson

a. In 1836, Emerson published his famous book Nature, which is the clearest statement of Transcendentalist ideas.

b. In 1837, Emerson gave a speech at Harvard University: “The American Scholar”, which was considered the intellectual Declaration of Independence. ③ Hawthorn

a. Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of those who attacked transcendentalism.

b. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne considers the effect on an individual’s character of guilty conscience, of hypocrisy, and of hatred. 4. Mark Twain

①Mark Twain’s real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

②The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was an immediate success as “a boy book”, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn became his master work.

③The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells a story about the United States before the civil war and the journey along the Mississippi River. The novel shows the basic goodness and wisdom of ordinary people and describes the social life of American people. 5. Whitman and Dickinson ①Whitman

a. In Whitman’s masterpiece Leaves of Grass, he praised the ideas of equality and democracy and celebrated the dignity, the self-reliant spirit and the joy of the common man. b. Whitman was the first to explore fully the possibilities of free verse.

②Emily Dickinson differs from Whitman in a variety of ways. She was born and lived a quiet, very private life. Because she was cut off from the outside world, she was able to create a very personal and pure kind of poetry. 6. Theodore Dreiser

①During the last decades of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, some American writers in their works reported truthfully and objectively the life in the slums. They called themselves naturalists and Dreiser was their representative.

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②His first novel Sister Carrie traces the material rise of Carrie Meeber and the tragic decline of Hurstwood.

③ Dreiser’s purpose: a description of the actual state of things in the United States.

④Dreiser is also famous for his Trilogy of Desire–The Financier, The Titan, and The Stoic, and An American Tragedy, which is considered to be his best. 7. T. S. Eliot

①His masterpiece, “The Waste Land”, reveals the spiritual crisis of Post War Europe, and is considered the manifesto of the “Lost Generation”. ②He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946. 8. Ernest Hemingway

①Ernest Hemingway was one of the most important American writers in the 20th century, and was the spokesman for the “Lost Generation” of young intellectuals who became disappointed and bitter after World WarⅠ.

②In The Sun Also Rises, he described “Expatriates” are not only physically impotent, but spiritually impotent too. They are “lost”. Thus, the whole generation becomes the “Lost Generation”. ③A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls, are two novels about the First and the Second World War.

④Old Man and the Sea, which is considered by many critics as his representative work, Hemingway praises the old fisherman’s attitude towards defeat and failure and thinks that to face defeat courageously and not to take defeat lying down is an admirable quality of man. 9. Hughes and Wright

①In the 1920s, Black Literature developed into an upsurge which has come to be known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem is the North-eastern part of New York City where black people are concentrated and wrote freely what they wanted to say. They managed to build a battle literature which reflects the feeling, the experience, the history, and the ambitions of the black people. Langston Hughes and Richard Wright were the major figures of those Black writers.

②Wright’s masterpiece, Native Son, was the first book by a Black author about Black life. In the novel the hero, Bigger Thomas’s fears of the white world cause confusion. And this confusion leads to his crimes. He murders a white woman and murders his own lover. Wright makes readers see that the social situation of blacks causes Bigger to become violent. Ⅱ.Architecture

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1. Sears Tower was completed in 1974 in Chicago. It rises 110 stories high, 1454 feet above ground level and is the tallest building in the world. 2. World Trade Center is in New York city. Ⅲ.Music

1. Jazz, Rock and Roll and Western and country music are the main types of popular music. 2. Jazz is considered the United States’ unique contribution to music. ① Jazz began in the early 20th century as a music of black Americans.

② It was intended for singing, for dancing and for entertainment and atmosphere at parties or social gatherings.

③ Jazz represents a blending of musical elements from Africa and from Europe. It is irregular in rhythm (polyrhythmic). 3. Country and western music

① It is a native American music and its origins lie in the folk songs of the English, Scottish, and Irish people who settled in Southeastern United States.

② It was blended with other styles – blues, jazz, and the sentimental ballads of the South-west.

Chapter 22 Holidays and Festivals

Ⅰ.New Year’s Day

1. Welcoming the New Year is one of the oldest and gayest customs the world over.

2. The celebration of this holiday begins the night before – on New Year’s Eve. People like to hold big parties or go to restaurants, where they have a big dinner. They also make New Year’s decisions. 3. The activities at this festival.

①Most exciting places in the Unites States on New Year’s Eve is Times Square in New York City. ②Mummers Parade held in Philadelphia is one of the most popular New Year’s Day activities. ③The Rose Tournament is held in Pasadena, California.

④People enjoy the famous Rose Bowl football game or other football competitions in a stadium. Ⅱ.Martin Luther King’s Day (Third Monday of January)

1. Martin Luther King was a black minister, who became a great leader of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

2. The best-known speech is “I Have a Dream” 3. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 19.

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4. After he died, King was greatly respected and loved by the Americans, both white and black. By vote of Congress, the third Monday of every January is now a federal holiday in Martin Luther King’s honour.

Ⅲ.Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12) 1. He was America’s sixteenth President.

2. He led the country during the difficult time of Civil War.

3. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which officially freed all slaves in the United States. 4. As a symbol of liberty and justice, Lincoln Memorial is situated in West Potomac Park, Washington D.C.

Ⅳ.Valentine’s Day (February 14) Ⅴ.Washington’s Birthday (February 22)

1. He is the first President of the United States of America, and also as “the Father of his Country”. 2. He led the people to win the War of Independence and a new nation was born. 3. He was surely the “first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Ⅵ.Easter Sunday (A Sunday in March or April)

1. It is on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after March 21, and it is for celebrating the rising of Jesus Christ from his tomb.

2. American children will carry small basket to look for colored eggs that have been hidden in the grass. They also play egg rolling.

3. The most famous Easter parade is along the Fifth Avenue in New York City. Ⅶ.Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)

1. It is a day to honour the memory of those who have given their lives for their country. 2. This day is originally called “Decoration Day”. Ⅷ.Independence Day (July 4)

1. It is America’s most important patriotic holiday, the birthday of the nation.

2. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed and adopted the Declaration of Independence.

3. People will bring their children to visit the birthplace of the nation – Philadelphia. Ⅸ.Halloween (October 31)

1. Nowadays, more and more children have asked for pennies instead of candies for UNICEF

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(United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) to help children in other countries. 2. The 1965 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to American children. Ⅹ.Veterans’ Day (November 11)

1.It honours the memory of all men who have ever fought in defense of the country. 退伍军人节，以前称作休战日，最初是为了纪念1918年第一次世界大战停战协议的签订。 Ⅺ.Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday of November)

1. The theme of thanksgiving has always been peace and plenty, health and happiness.

2. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 13, 1621.

3. The “Puritans”, so called because they wanted to “Purify” the Church of England, came to America by Mayflower with 102 people. The first winter was terrible, and only half of them survived. The native Indians became their friends and help them. The Pilgrims reaped a good harvest in the fall. Thus they invited Indians to have a big feast to thank God for his love and mercy. Ⅻ.Christmas Day (December 25)

1. Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

2. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year.

3. The Christmas tree is very popular during this time. Rockfeller Center in New York City has put up a very tall Christmas tree.

4. Most people exchange presents and send Christmas cards.

5. Many families go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. (choral music: “Messiah”)

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