Ⅰ. Understanding of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty in the United States
1. Where is the Statue located in the United States? Why do Americans choose the place?
The Statue of Liberty is located in New York City, the United States.Because New York is the first capital of the United States.
2. Why did the United States get this statue? When did it arrive in the United States?
This huge statue was made by the French government for the celebrationof the 100th anniversary of the US foundation. France gave the Statue to
the United States on 4 July 1884. Its name was the “Statue of Liberty -
Enlightening the World” at that time. As the base construction of the
Statue was slow, the unveiling ceremony was held until 28 October
1886. So, the Statue of Liberty has two different birthdays.
Ⅱ· British Colonies in North America
……In the late 15th century, Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. From then on, European powers established colonies in North America gradually. ……In 1607, the British began to establish colonies in the east coast of North America. From 1756 to 1763, the Seven Year’s War broke out between Britain and France for colonies in North America. Finally, France failed and gave up its colonies in America and India to Britain and Spain.……
The map showing the thirteen British colonies in North America in the 1730s.
Voice of early new immigrants to North America
According to Information A to D, fill in the following tables properly.
1. Files of colonies in North America in 1773
Discoverer: / Columbus, Italian navigatorLocation: / Along the Atlantic, east coast of North America
Quantity of colonies: / 13 in total
Population of colonies: / About 2 million
Population background: / 1. farmers from Britain to make a living there
2. persecuted Puritans
3. merchants
4. immigrants from Holland, Sweden, France and Germany
Others: / Britain established the first colony in North America in 1607. Apart from Britain, France and Spain have ever established colonies in North America.
2. According to the above information, what dissatisfaction do the immigrants in North America have with British government? Why?
- dissatisfied with the ban of west movement in 1763- dissatisfied with unreasonable taxes
- dissatisfied with no representatives for the Parliament
- dissatisfied with Britain’s preference for its own interest to that of colonists, which deprives their natural rights
Ⅲ. Space-time Reporter ── The Course of the American Independence
You are a space-time reporter. Now your chief editor asks you to interview the situation of American War of Independence in the 18th century. Through time machine, you go back to North America in 1774 and record what you see. Your note is as follows:
According to your note, report the course of the American War of Independence by timeline.
September 1774 The First Continental Congress
19 April 1775 Lexington War
June 1775 The Second Continental Congress
4 July 1776 Declaration of Independence
June 1781 France, Holland and Spain sent troops to assist the America
19 October 1781 The British army surrendered
3 September 1783 The Treaty of Paris was signed
The United States was born
Washington became the first president
Ⅳ. Development of the US Federal Government
The United States is a federal state and the state alliance is led by a united central government. The federal government and state government are in charge of different affairs. The federal government is above states and it is responsible for national affairs, such as national tax/finance, diplomatic policy, defense/war, post, foreign trade, currency and measurements. State governments are regional parliaments selected by people in respective states. They are in charge of regional affairs, such a regional tax, education, law/order and roads, etc.
The US Constitution is the top power center. The federal government uses the system of Separation of powers, which is divided into legislature, executive and judiciary according to the Constitution.
1. The Congress is the legislative department of the federal government. It is in charge of making laws and has the sole power to impeach the president and judges. The Congress is also divided into Senate and House of Representatives.
- The Senate represents the interest of states. Regardless of population, there are only two senators from each state for a service term of six years. There are 100 senators nationwide.
- The House of Representatives guarantees the interest of residents in each state. Each state decides the seats according to the population. The service term is two years. There are 435 seats nationwide.
2. The executive department is responsible for proposing and enforcing laws. It can nominate the Supreme Court judges and has the right to veto the bills passed by the Congress. President is the chief executive of the department and generated by election with a service term of four years.
3. The Supreme Court is the judiciary department of the federal government responsible for explaining and reviewing laws. It can reject the laws that violate the Constitution. Nine lifetime judges hold the top judiciary rights. The Supreme Court is divided into the Court of Appeal and local courts.
According to the above information, please fill the proper answers in the blanks.
According to the Constitution, the functions of the federal government and state governments are:
central (Federal) government
(in charge of a.__ national______affairs)
Defense b. Diplomatic policy_c.Currency_ Post d. National tax_ e. Foreign trade Measurements
state government
(in charge of ___state ______affairs)
laws f.__ local tax______g.___ roads______h.___ education_______order
According to the Constitution, the structure of the federal government is:
US Constitution
（i. separation ）of powers and check and balance
j.__Legislature Dept. / Executive Dept. / Judiciary Dept.In charge of k.__making laws / In charge of o._ proposing and enforcing laws / In charge of q. explaining and reviewing laws
/ The president is l. chief executive /
m._Senate___ / n._The House of Representatives___ / r._ court of Appeal _ / s._local court
Historical court (group discussion)
Historical court is hearing a dispute between the British government and North American colonists. The North American colonists accused the British government of enforcing tough policies on them, dictatorially ruling and killing guiltless people. The following are exhibits provided by both sides and statements of witnesses.
Exhibit 1: (picture taken in March 1770, Boston)
Exhibit 2: (picture taken on the night of 16 December 1773, Boston)
Witness 1:
"I am the governor of Massachusetts. Colonists have their own legislature parliament generated by election. They can manage local affairs. I don’t think the British government is autocratic.”
Witness 2:
“I am King George III. Monarch’s right is directly granted by God. So, people should absolutely obey the monarch, follow all policies and cannot disobey.”
Witness 3:
“I am an enlightenment thinker. I think that everyone is born equal. The King’s sovereignty is given by people, but not God. There should be a Social Contract between the King and people. When rulers break the Contract and rule autocratically,
people should have the right to overthrow the government and
ask to organize a new government to guarantee their rights. Rulers’ rights come from people! People should have the freedom of religion, politics and speech.”
Witness 4:
“I am a senator of the legislature congress in Massachusetts. Although I am elected by people, my rights are far from that of the governor sent by the British government. He is not generated through election, but he can overthrow our laws. This is undemocratic!”
Witness 5:
‘I am a taxpayer in North America. We don't have representatives to strive for rights for us in the British Congress, but we have to bear the duty to pay tax to Britain. Apart from British goods, all imported sugar, syrup, sweet wine, paper and tea are imposed import tax. Even revenue stamps should be stuck on all documents and printed products. It’s too unfair!
Witness 6:
“I am a British general in North America. North American colonists are protected by us, so you have the duty to pay tax to maintain the army. Moreover, you don’t have your own army and protection work is left for us. So, paying tax is necessary!”
Witness 7:
“I am a representative of British East India Company. We bought all goods from North American merchants at fair prices and did not cheat them. As far as I know, they earn huge profits from the trading!”
Witness 8:
“I am a merchant in North America. The British government forces us to ship all our goods to Britain for sales and specifies to use British or US ships for shipment, which deprived our trade freedom greatly.”
Suppose you are the judge of this case, please answer the following questions:
1. Which exhibits support American colonists and which exhibits support the British government?
support the British government / support American colonistsExhibit: 2 / Exhibit: 1
Witness: 1 / Witness: 3
Witness: 2 / Witness: 4
Witness: 6 / Witness: 5
Witness: 7 / Witness: 8
2. What historical events do Exhibits 1 and 2 reflect? What about the courses? After these events, what policy does the British government implement on American colonists?
Exhibit 1: “Boston Massacre”Course:
Exhibit 2: “Boston Tea Party”
Course:
The policy of British government: The British government ordered to block the Boston harbor and send army to town.
According to the above information, what are the contradictions between the British government and American colonists?
Please fill “o” in the following table and explain.
Contradiction / Option / ExplanationPolitical power / o
Cultural customs / -
Commercial trade / o
Religious belief / -
Taxes / o
3. Which one is more reasonable, the British government or the American colonists? Is the British government guilty? Why?
Students can answer freely but reasonably4. How to solve their problems? Please explain.
Students can answer freely but reasonably1. According to historical records, how is the conflict between the British government and the American colonists solved?
The American War of Independence2. Is the solution the same as yours? Do you agree with it? Why?
Students can answer freely but reasonablyIntroduction of the American War of Independence
US Independence timeline
American War of Independence (Ⅰ)
American War of Independence (Ⅱ)
the first US president-Washington
the United States' freedom (multiple pictures)
US map
search engine for US history study
online trip to the American War of Independence
examples for study of the American War of Independence
search engine for the American War of Independence
online US history
easyfunschool
puzzlemaker
A site for kids
museums all over the world
Internet Modern History