The political system of the USA
ALL YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”
МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЕ РАЗРАБОТКИ
ПО СТРАНОВЕДЕНИЮ
КАЗАНЬ-2006
СОСТАВИТЕЛЬ: ст. преп. Пустовалова Ж.С
Методические разработки по английскому языку для студентов 2 года обучения Факультета Дополнительного Образования по специальности «Филология».
“All you should know about the United States of America” (Методические разработки по страноведению), Казанский Государственный Технологический Университет. Факультет Дополнительного Образования; Сост.: Ж.С. Пустовалова
Казань, 2006.31 стр.
Подготовлены на кафедре иностранных языков.
Настоящие методические разработки предназначены для самостоятельной подготовки по курсу лекций по страноведению.
Содержат тексты по политике, истории и культуре Америки, снабженные вопросами для самоконтроля.
Рецензенты: доц. С.Р.Абзалова
доц. Э.И. Биктемирова (ТГГПУ)
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Lecture 1
The history of America.
The history of the United States is not as rich as that of Great Britain but it is full of dramatic events.
Scientists believe that the first people appeared on the American continent 25 000 years ago. They could come from Asia using the land bridge between North America and Asia. Later, the natural bridge was covered with water and thus the Bering Strait appeared. So, the continents were isolated and the migration stopped.
For thousands of year America lay unknown beyond the western seas. The early peoples of Europe and Near East were slow to discover the West mainly because of their fear of the open sea. The western seas were believed to be infested by monsters with jaws so big that they could crash the ships like an eggshell.
Time went on and there were some people who waged war with the stormy waters. Those people were Vikings. One of them, called Eric the Red, sailed toward the setting sun in search of new lands. He came to a land rising high above the sea. It was covered with ice even in the middle of summer, but on the south-west side of the big island he found land with rich meadows and fine woods. Eric the Red called that land Greenland. The discovery of Greenland took place in 982.
Some years later Leif Ericson, the son of Eric the Red reached the land known now under the name of New England. Leif Ericson even lived there for some time. He and his men had to leave the land because of native tribes. When Leif Ericson saw a great number of canoes of the native tribes (they were really countless) he understood that they faced a great danger. Ericson wasn’t inclined to wage wars with those native tribes and made up his mind to return to Greenland.
America was rediscovered only in 15th century by Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus was a sailor. His dream was to find a new way to India. The Spanish government gave him money and with three little ships Columbus sailed westwards. It took place in 1492. He sailed for three months. The voyage was extremely dangerous. At last on October, 12 he saw the land. They reached an island not far from the coast of North America. Christopher Columbus thought it was India and gave the name “Indians” to the red – skin people living there.
Until the end of his life Columbus thought that he had discovered a new way to India. That’s why the American mainland was called West Indies. Christopher Columbus made four voyages to America.
Many people followed Columbus and sailed to the discovered land in search of money, freedom, happiness or adventures. An Italian seaman Amerigo Vespucci was one of them. He made three voyages to America. It was Amerigo Vespucci who proved that the land discovered by Columbus was not India but the new continent. For some time America was called “The New World”.
Later, however, it was decided to name the New World after Amerigo. Since that time the new continent has been called “America”, that is the land of Amerigo.
In 1966 the United States Congress declared Leif Ericson to be a discoverer of the New World. Since then on October, 9 the Americans celebrate Leif Ericson’s Day. However it doesn’t abolish Columbus Day which is held on October, 12. Columbus Day is devoted to rediscovery and exploration of America.
Indians in North America. Before the first Europeans came to North America there were people living there who had a red skin. The white men called them Red men or Indians. The Indian tribes were not united. They hunted and grew corn. In the south the Indians also grew tobacco which was new to the white men. In the west there were many buffaloes. The Indians made clothes out of buffalo skin. Their houses, called wigwams, were also covered with buffalo skin.
Spain, France and England sent many seamen to the American continent. Some of them began to trade with the Indians.
The beginning of the colonies. During the reign of the King James I many Englishmen wanted to leave England. They didn’t like their King and called him “The Foolish King of England”. In 1620 some English families (about one hundred people) left England on board the ship called “Mayflower” and sailed to America. For seven long weeks the ship sailed through the storms of the Atlantic Ocean.
It reached the American shore when it was already winter. It was raining and a cold wind was blowing when the Englishmen arrived. Sixteen men left the ship and went ashore. When they came back they brought some corn with them. They found the corn on the coast where the Indians had left it. Next day was Sunday and everybody on the ship “Mayflower” had a rest. On Monday the women went ashore to wash the dirty clothes. Since that time Monday has been wash-day in America.
During the next five weeks the men from the “Mayflower” left the ship everyday. Some of them didn’t come back for many days. They were looking for a good place to live. The weather was cold and more and more men fell ill. At last they found a suitable place. There was a good harbour for ships there, some fields and forests and even a small river. The people began to build a village there which was later called “New Plymouth”. The pilgrims were exhausted. They didn’t have enough food to eat. Many people died. In spite of all the difficulties they lived through the winter and in spring things went better. The settlers built good houses and the life became easier.
All the Indians who came to the village of New Plymouth called the Englishmen “Yankee” because it was difficult for them to pronounce the word “Englishmen”. Since that time “Yankee” has been the name of white man in America.
The English settlers who came to America on the ship the “Mayflower” in 1620 and founded the colony of Plymouth in Massachusetts are usually called the Pilgrim Fathers.
By 1733 there were already 13 colonies. The colonies were slowly transformed into one people. Several factors contributed this process. Perhaps the most important was the fact that the colonists were overwhelmingly Protestant and English (WASP – White Anglo-Saxon Protestant – is considered to be a real American). They shared the English language, they believed in British customs and traditions of parliamentary self-government and trial by jury, and they were loyal to the British king. Their rich colonial culture was based on British models. They saw themselves transplanted Englishmen and called England “home”. Major exceptions to this early homogeneity were the Dutch of New Netherland (future New York), Germans and Scotch-Irish and large numbers of African slaves.
The Boston Tea Party. In the 18th century these thirteen English colonies in North America were under British rule. The British forced the Americans to pay taxes on sugar, wine, coffee, tea and other products. In 1773 the British ships loaded with tea came into the Boston port. The Americans decided not to take this tea. According to their plan several men dressed as Indians went on board the ships, took the boxes of tea and dropped them into the water. This incident was named the Boston Tea Party. The British Government closed the Boston port and sent soldiers to the American colonies.
Soon the war between Britain and its American colonies began. It was the War for Independence of American colonies which lasted for eight years, from 1775 to 1783. This was a war between Britain and its colonies in North America which wanted to be free. George Washington was a commander–in–chief of the North American army. He did his best to won the victory.
In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July, 4 in 1776. Since that time July, 4 has been the greatest national holiday in the United States. It is called Independence Day. July, 4 is considered to the birthday of the American nation.
After the end of the War for Independence in 1783, 16 states were formed. George Washington became the first president of those states.
Slavery in the United States. In the 18th and 19th centuries the United States were divided into two parts: industrial North where there was no slavery and agricultural South where slave labour was much used.
From early times there had been Negro slaves in the South of the United States. The majority of them were taken from Africa by force. Negro slaves worked on tobacco and cotton plantations. Their life was very hard. They worked from early morning till night. Some of them died from starvation. Their owners could sell them separating husbands and wives, mothers and children. The Negro slaves were freed in 1863 by President Lincoln after the Civil War between the States (1861-1865).
It was the war between the industrial North and agricultural South. The northern states were against slavery. The war began soon after Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. Lincoln was a progressive political leader who was against using the labour of Negro slaves in the Southern States. The Southern States left the Union and formed their own Confederation.
The army of the South was better organized and won several victories during the first period of war. Only when General Grant became a commander–in–chief of the Northern army, the North managed to win the final victory. The Civil War between Northern and Southern States was an important landmark in the history of the USA.
Check yourself
1. What is the official date of the discovery of America?
2. Why did Indians call the Englishmen “Yankee”?
3. What was the reason of the War for Independence?
4. Who won the Civil War?
Lecture 2
The political system of the USA
The USA is a federal union of 50 states. The basic law is the constitution, adopted in 1787, which prescribes the structure of national government and lists its rights and fields of authority. Each state has its government and all of them have the dual character of both Federal and State government. The political system of the USA is divided into three branches: judicial, legislative and executive. Each branch holds a certain degree of power over the others, and all take part in the governmental process.
The flag. It is called “the stars and the stripes and old glory”. It was adopted in 1777. The red stripes proclaim courage, the white - liberty, and the field of blue stands for loyalty. There are 50 stars on a blue field (one for each state) and 13 stripes representing 13 original colonies.
The coat of arms.The coat of arms of the US represents an eagle with wings outspread, holding a bangle of rods (the symbol of administer) in the left claw and olive twig (the emblem of love) in the right claw. The motto of the coat of arms is “one out of many” (aplinibus nun).
The nick name.It was in 1812 when the nickname of the US government “Uncle Sam” appeared. “Uncle” Samuel Wilson supplied beef to the American army, during the war of 1812, standing his barrels with the letters “U. S.” The army as “Uncle Sam's” knew this beef, and later on this familiar name became associated with the US government.
The constitution of the USA.Although the American system of government is based on Great Britain’s, it differs in having a written constitution that is the bases of all government and law. The constitution of the US was adopted after the War of Independence on the 17th of September 1787. It lists the set of rules, law regulations, which provide the practical norms, regulating the work of the government. The document embodied the practical theories of man of property. The main principle underline the constitution was as follows: “Private property is the backbone of liberty”. It was put forward by a rich plantation owner from Virginia James Madison, who is known to be a father of the constitution.
The constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles. 27 amendments have so far been added to its original text. The first 10 amendments, known as “the Bill of Rights”, were added in a group in 1791. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship etc. The 21st amendment limited the President's ruling by maximum two terms.
The legislative branch.Supreme legislative power in the American government lies with Congress: the Senate, the upper house; and the House of Representatives - the lower house. Each state has its own government - State Assemblies or, Legislatures with two houses. According to the constitution of the USA, all citizens of both sexes over 18 years of age have a right of voting, but in reality the number of voters is much smaller. The main task of Congress is to make federal laws, to levy federal taxes, to put amendments to the constitution or put foreign treaties into effect. Under the constitution the US Senate has some special powers, not given to the House of Representatives. It approves or disapproves the main presidential appointments, e.g. ambassadors, Cabinet Members and federal judges. The House of Representatives has a special power of its own - to invent a bill to raise money.
The Senate is composed of 100 members - two from each of 50 states. Although congressional elections take place every two years, only 1/3 of the Senate is reelected. A Senator must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the USA for 9 years and a resident of the state from which he is elected. Democrats sit in the western part of the chamber - on Vice-president right. Republicans sit on his left. Vice-president presides over the Senate and conducts debates. The Senate is stable and more conservative than the House of Representatives and many Senators are more experienced politicians.
The House of Representatives has 450 members. The number of Representatives depends on the population of each state. A Representative must be at least 25 years age, a US citizen for 7 years and live in the state from which he is elected. Most of the Congressmen are lawyers, businessmen and bankers.
A new Congress session begins on the 3rd of January each odd number year and continues for two years. A Congressman must work long and hard. But most of their work is done in committee meetings. Here bills are studied, experts are consulted, and recommendations are made to the whole House of Senate. During a two year term of a Congress, as many as 20000 bills are introduced. There are 16 “standing” or permanent committees in the Senate, and 22 in the House. They accept and improve some bills, but reject most of them. For a bill becomes a law it must be read, studied in committees, commented on and amended in the Senate or House chamber in which it was introduced. It is then voted upon. If it passes, it is sent to the other house where a similar procedure occurs. Members of both houses work together in “conference committees” if the chambers have passed different versions of the same bill. Groups who try to persuade Congressmen to vote for or against a bill are known as “lobbies”. When both houses of Congress pass a bill on which they agree, it is sent to the president for his signature. If President disapproves, he vetoes and refuses to sign it, and sends it back to Congress. President's objections are read and debated. To overcome the President's veto, the bill must get a 2/3 majority in each chamber.
Lobbyists.Often discussing Congress of the USA, the third chamber is mentioned. It's a specific American phenomenon called lobbies. Today it’s big corporations, social organizations, foreign diplomats, who try to influence lawmaking process in their favour. This is done with the help of lobbyists. Practically lobbyism (backstage influence in legislation) has become legal, it means, that the passing of a bill can be prevented, if it doesn't suit the interests of a definite group of big business. Lobbyists make all themselves legislative councils. More and more people realize that legislation is shaped as much by the hidden influences, as by the public debates.
The executive branch.The executive power in the USA belongs to the President and his Administration. The Presidency in the USA is the highest governmental office. President in the USA is the head of the state and the government, and also the commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces.
Vice-president and the Cabinet assist president. The President and Vice-president are elected for a term of four years and can be reelected. President must be a natural-born citizen of the USA and at least 35 years old, and for at least 14 years resident of the USA. The term of office of the President begins on the 2nd of January. Presidential elections are held in two stages - in November and December. Before the elections the candidates for Presidency tour the country, meeting people and delivering speeches.
The president, as the chief formulator of public policy, often proposes legislation to Congress. The president can also veto (forbid) any bill passed by Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives. As head of his political party, with ready access to the news media, the president can easily influence public opinion regarding issues and legislation that he considers vital. President conducts foreign affairs, signal documents, and appoints diplomats, Cabinet Members, federal judges with the consent and advice of the Senate. He outlines the course of his administration through Congress.
Vice-president presides over the Senate, his other duties are indefinite. He takes the president's office, if the president is unable to finish his term. So Vice-president is “a forgotten man of the American politics”. A Cabinet of 12 members assists the US President. Cabinet secretaries correspond to European ministers. They are heads of different departments and are responsible to President. Today these 13 departments are State, Treasury, Defence, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labour, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy and Education. The State Department ranks ahead of others. The political power of the Secretary of the State is the second only to that of the president. He must maintain peace and negotiate economic and political affairs.
Besides, President has an inner Cabinet, the so-called “white-house office”, i.e. immediate assistance and advises of the President. The House of Representatives may bring charges against the President, it is called “impeachment” - a formal accusation against a public official by a legislative body, for treason, bribery and other high crimes. Under the Constitution, the president is primarily responsible for foreign relations with other nations. He often represents the United States abroad in consultations with other heads of state, and, through his officials, he negotiates treaties with over countries. Such treaties must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. President also negotiates with other nations less formal “executive agreements” that are not subject to Senate approval.
Inauguration.Inauguration always takes place on the 20th of January, it is an official act of installing the President of the USA to his office. Inauguration is connected with some traditions. President gives dinner on the eve in honour of the President election. By 12 o'clock of the 20th of January two participants of the ceremony and guests take their places in front of the Capitol. The central point of the ceremony is the taking of an oath by the President and the delivering of his Inaugural speech, it is regarded as a declaration of principles, proclaimed by the new administration. The ceremony ends in a military parade.
The major political parties.The US began as a one-party political system. But gradually two-party system appeared. The present-day Democratic Party was founded in 1828, representing southern states. It united slave owners. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 and united people from Northeast, who were against slavery. The emblem of the Democratic Party is a donkey. The emblem of the Republican Party is an elephant. The main task of the parties is to win elections. One of the reasons of stability at the two-party system is family tradition to inherit politics from fathers.
Check yourself
1. What can you tell about the constitution of the USA?
2. What does Congress consist of?
3. Who can become President of the USA?
4. What are the major political parties in the USA?
Lecture 3
The educational system of the USA
The American system of education differs somewhat from the systems of the other countries. It has certain peculiarities of its own which are closely connected with the specific conditions of life in the New World and the history of the American society. There are free, state – supported, public schools which the majority of American children attend. There are also a number of private elementary and secondary schools where a fee is charged for admission and children are accepted or rejected on the basis of an examination. These include many church–supported schools, usually Catholic, which also charge a fee. Most public schools are co–educational, that is, girls and boys studied together, but a lot of the church–supported schools are for boys or girls only.
Under the United States Constitution the federal government has no power to make laws in the field of education. Thus, education remains primarily a function of the states. Each state has a Board of Education (usually 3 to 9 members elected by the public or appointed by the governor), not subject to federal control. State laws determine the age of compulsory education, the length of the school year, the way in which teachers shall be certified and many of the courses which must be taught. With so much local control there is some degree of uniformity of education provided in the different parts of the USA, because state and national accrediting agencies insist that certain standards be maintained and certain things be taught.
Education is compulsory for every child from the age of 6 up to the age of 16 except in Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota and Pennsylvania where it compulsory to the age of 17 and in Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and Utah where children must go to school until the age of 18.
Elementary (primary) and secondary (high) schools are organized on one or two bases: eight years of elementary school and four years of secondary school, or six years of elementary, three years of junior high school and three years of senior high school.
Elementary school children in the US learn much the same things as do children of the same age in other countries. The programme of studies includes English (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, composition), arithmetic (sometimes elementary algebra or plane geometry in upper grades), geography, history of the USA, and elementary natural science. Physical training, music, drawing are also taught. Some schools teach a modern language, such as French, Spanish, or German.
The junior high school is a sort of halfway between elementary and secondary school. It continues some elementary school subjects, but it also introduces courses in mathematics and science, and usually gives students their first chance to study a foreign language. It usually comprises grade seven, eight and nine, although sometimes it is only grades seven and eight.
The high school prepares young people either for work immediately after graduation or for more advanced study in a college or university. Although there are some technical, vocational and specialized high schools in the United States the typical high school is comprehensive in nature. The subjects studied in elementary school are dealt with in greater details and in more advanced form in a high school. In addition one can specialize in home economics, chemistry and physics, music, humanities, automobile mechanics, etc. High school students study 4 – 5 major subjects a year and classes in each of them meet for an hour a day, five days a week.
The United States have the shortest school year in the world, and average of 180 days.
An important part of high school life is what called extra – curricular activities. The student is free to join a chorus, band or school orchestra; enter the debating team, or participate in sports of all kinds as well as a variety of social activities.
The fundamental task the US faces today is the modernization of the entire school system. It is not only to provide more and better schools, but also to re – examine the contents of the education and to bring it into line with modern requirements.
There is no national system of higher education in the United States. Instead, there are about 3,300 separate institutions. The system comprises three categories of institutions: 1) the university, which may contain: a) several colleges for undergraduate students seeking a bachelor’s (four-year) degree and b) one or more graduate schools for those continuing in specialized studies beyond the bachelor’s degree to obtain a master’s or a doctoral degree, 2) the technical training institutions at which high school graduates may take courses ranging from six months to four years in duration and learn a wide variety of technical skills, from hair styling through business accounting to computer programming; and 3) the two-year, or community college, from which students may enter many professions or may transfer to four-year colleges. They may be small or large, rural or urban, private or public, religious or secular; highly selective or open to all.
Basically, American higher education developed its own pattern by the adaptation of two traditions: the collegiate tradition of England and the university tradition of the Continent.
The first universities were developed by private charitable organizations, many of which were religious bodies. The private universities are still very important. Of the nation's nearly 1,900 four-year institutions of higher learning, 1,200 are privately controlled.
All higher educational establishments charge fees. It costs a lot of money to study there. Today three out of every four American families expect to send their children to college. How many actually do so? One out of four. Most of the rest simply can't afford it. The unhappy truth is that, like almost everything else, a college education is getting more expensive every year. In 1990s, the average public-university student spent about 5 thousand dollars for tuition fees, room, board and books. At private colleges the total came to around 12-17,000. Grants are rare, that is why two out of three college students take part-time jobs during the school year, during summer vacations, or both to pay for their studies.
The American college is an institution which has no counterpart in Europe. It offers courses of instruction over a four-year period, grants a Bachelor's degree and prepares the student for a job. As part of university a college leads to a master's or doctor's degree. There are also many Junior Colleges to which students may be admitted at the end of their high school career, providing only the first two years of university work. They usually offer courses related to local industry, agriculture or crafts.
Obviously, with a total of 156 universities and more than two thousand colleges, there must be great differences in quality and reputation among them. The main universities are: California University, Catholic University of America, Cornell University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Stanford University, Chicago University, Wisconsin University, Yale University. The best-known of all is Harvard, Massachusetts, which was founded in 1636. There is much in common between Harvard and Yale, Connecticut, and together they occupy a position in American university life rather like Oxbridge in England.
The methods of instruction in the universities are lectures, discussions and work in laboratory. The academic year is usually of nine months duration, or two semesters of four and a half months each. At the undergraduate level, there may be some courses that every student has to take (e.g. classes in world history, math, writing or research). But students select their “major” (the field in which they want their degree) plus a number of “electives” (courses they do not have to take, but may choose). Typically, an undergraduate student has to earn a certain number of “credits” (about 120) in order to receive a degree at the end of four years of college. Credits are earned by attending lectures (or lab classes) and by successfully completing assignments and examinations. One credit usually equals one hour of class per week in a single course. A three-credit course in biology could involve two hours of lectures plus one hour in a science lab every week. A course may last 10 to 16 weeks - the length of a “semester”.
Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. A peculiar feature of American college and university life is numerous students' unions, fraternities and sororities. The Greek alphabet is generally used in their names. These organizations, Greek letter societies, are descendants of the eighteenth century literary and social clubs which flourished in the early American colleges. It has become quite the practice for students of a particular fraternity to reside together during their college course in one house.
A great deal of cultural and recreational life at a university is created by different kinds of students' clubs.
Check yourself
1. Who controls education in the USA?
2. What are the levels of American educational system?
3. What categories of institutions does the system of higher education comprise?
4. What does one have to do in order to receive a degree at the end of four years of college?
Lecture 4
Holidays in the USA
New Year’s Day. Americans usually blow horns and whistles at midnight to announce the beginning of a new year.
The birthday of Martin Luther King is celebrated on the 15th of January. Martin Luther King was a minister who fought against racial discrimination.
St. Valentine’s Day is also celebrated on the 14th of February as in many other countries.
On the third Monday in February Americans celebrate Presidents Day. They honour two greatest presidents George Washington (the 1st president) and Abraham Lincoln (the 16th president) for their deals and contributions into the development of the country.
On March, 17 the Americans celebrate an Irish religious holiday St. Patrick’s Day. On this day Irish immigrants and other Americans decorate their houses, schools and streets with green shamrocks and wear something green.
“Take your daughter to work today” is in April. No school! The daughters go to work with their moms.
Easter is celebrated on Sunday in April or May. Americans colour eggs as well as people in Russia.
On the second Sunday in May Americans honour their mothers. This day is called Mother’s Day.
On the third Sunday in June Father’s Day is celebrated.
July, 4 is Independence Day. On July, 4, in 1776 American Founding Fathers declared that the USA would be free and independent from England.
October, 12 is called Columbus Day. In 1492 on this day Columbus discovered America.
Halloween is celebrated on October, 31. Children wear colourful costumes of ghosts and witches. They walk door to door in the neighbourhood and shout: “Trick or treat!” They make jack-o-lanterns out of pumpkins and put a candle inside.
Another native American holiday is Thanksgiving Day which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. All the Americans try to be at home and eat a big turkey dinner. The pilgrims (the first settlers) celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the autumn of 1621 when they gathered a fine harvest. It was decided to make a holiday dinner. Some Indians came to New Plymouth and brought wild turkeys as a present. The harvest holiday was called “Thanksgiving Day”. Since that time Thanksgiving Day has been a national holiday in the United States of America.
Christmas is a religious holiday. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also the day when Santa Claus brings presents and Christmas trees are decorated.
The review of the states.
The United States of America is a federal Union (federation)which is made up of fifty states and one independent district–the District of Columbia (D.C.) The District of Columbia is the territory of the national capital of the USA – Washington.
Each state has its own government, laws and regulations, slogan, nickname and state emblems.
The territory of New England comprises 6 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island.
Unofficial names or nicknames of the states reflect their peculiar features concerning geographical position of the state, its history, traditions and way of life.
Thus, Vermont is called “The Green Mountain State” as it lies in the Green Mountains. The people living there is called “Green Mountain boys”.
New Hampshire is “the White Mountain state”. Skiing is a major source of income in this state.
Massachusetts is called “The Bay State” due to its geographical position. Boston is the capital of this state. It is famous for Harvard University which is located not far from Boston and considered to be oldest and the most privileged University in the USA. Boston is also associated with Boston Tea Party.
Connecticut is the state which has three nicknames: “The Constitution State”, “The nutmeg State”, and “The brown stone State”.
Rhode Island is one of the smallest states. That’s why it is called “Little Rhody”.
Alaska is the largest state and its nickname is “The Great Land”.
California is called “The Golden State”. There are gold mines on its territory. Gold – rush days are connected with California.
New York State is famous for New York, one of the largest cities in the world. However, New York isn’t the capital city.
Pennsylvania with its largest city Philadelphia, the first capital of the USA, is known for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution.
North Dakota is the exact geographical centre of North America.
South Dakota is famous for a memorial to four famous presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Their heads are carved on a granite cliff of Mount Rushmore.
Kansas is the geographical centre of the USA. Its nicknames are “The Sunshine State” and “The Central State”.
Wyoming is called “The Equality State” because it is the first state where women where given the right to vote.
Colorado is known to be a highest state in the country: there are 52 peaks there.
Utah has a nickname “The Salt Lake State”. Great Salt Lake is situated on the territory of this state. The capital of the state is also called Salt Lake City.
Nevada is nicknamed “the Silver State”. Rich deposits of gold and silver were discovered in 1859. Los Vegas is the largest city in this state. It is known all over the world as the city where a great number of gambling casinos, night clubs and other places of entertainment are located.
Illinois is called “the Land of Lincoln” due to the fact that Abraham Lincoln began his political activities there. Chicago, the 2nd largest city after New York, is situated in this state.
Arizona is “the Grand Canyon State”. The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. Four Indian tribes live in this region.
New Mexico is famous for Carsbad Caverns, huge underground caves.
Oklahoma is an Indian territory.
Montana is “the Treasure State”. Its slogan is “Gold and Silver”. In the middle of the 19th century gold was discovered there. Cold winters and considerable snowfalls are typical for the climate of this state.
Minnesota is called “the Bread and Butter State” or “the Wheat State”.
New Jersey is known as “the Garden State”.
West Virginia is famous for its colourful caverns.
Virginia has a nickname “the Old Dominion of Mother of Presidents”. This state was settled by the English colonists and was nicknamed after Elisabeth I, the Queen of England.
Florida is a resort area famous for unique beaches.
Delaware has nickname “the First State”. It was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the USA.
Michigan is called “the Lake State”. It is situated in the valley of the Great Lakes.
Nebraska’s nickname is “the Blackwater State”. The water of its rivers is dark.
Check yourself
1. What native American holidays can you name?
2. What nicknames and emblems of states can you remember?
Lecture 5
Mass Media. The Press.
On September 25, 1690, news-hungry Bostonians, who had to wait months for papers from Britain, bought the first copies of the American Colonies’ first newspaper. It was a small four-page journal with one blank page on which readers could fill in their own news. The paper was fairly sensational for its day, with reports of smallpox and fevers, a suicide, Indian raids, and a scandalous story about the King of France. That first issue was also the last because the printer, Benjamin Harris, had not obtained the license required by law. More than a decade passed before Americans saw another native newspaper.
Although there are two American news services operating worldwide – the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) – the tremendous size of the nation, the variety of time zones, and the general preoccupation with many local issues make it difficult for national daily newspapers to exist. “The New York Times”, with a circulation of 900 000, is perhaps the most influential daily newspaper, followed by “The Washington Post” and “Los Angeles Times”. “The Christian Science monitor” has become known for its in-depth analysis of major news developments. An attempt has been made to introduce the “popular” “US Today” on a nationwide basis; and “The Wall Street Journal”, broadened from strictly financial paper to one with general news interest, comes close to being a national newspaper.
All large American cities have at least one newspaper and, although mainly concerned with local affairs, they are also read in other States.
Periodicals exist for virtually every type of interest, some with just a tiny circulation, others like “The Time” with a circulation worldwide of more than 6 million copies. More than 50 of the leading magazines produce over 1 million copies of each issue.
New periodicals keep appearing. There has been a great growth in suburban newspapers, which siphon readers from the big city press. Most successful of these has been New York’s “Newsday”. Founded in 1940, it is today one of the country’s leading evening papers.
In a single month some 9000 different magazines appear in the United States. Americans all across the country buy million of copies of these periodicals, which treat every imaginable subject in the range of human thought. There are publications for farmers, apartment dwellers, cooks, weight lifters, and antique collectors, among many others. Men and women of every age group and children can all find magazines specifically aimed at them. Sports of every variety and special interests in every field are covered.
Although individual magazines come and go, the magazine business continues to be the most competitive, and imaginative of all publishing attempts, and there are no signs that the public appetite for its products is about to diminish.
More and more the Nation seems to be getting its news from radio and television. But it is the newspapers and magazines that have the time and the space for the most careful interpretation of the news. The newspapers in the United States continue to deal most effectively with local news and to relate the national news to the locality.
Radio and Television.
Although both radio and television are geared more to entertaining than to informing, they have become increasingly concerned with the news. Certain radio stations are devoted entirely to news and opinion, with spot announcements, editorials, and in-depth reports.
There is no national radio station in the United States, but every large city has dozens of independent stations, which range from twenty four hours a day news to rock and classical music.
The first commercial radio station took to the airwaves in 1920.
The earliest entertainers performed free, grateful for the publicity; the manufacturers of radio equipment paid for most programming. Then the idea of financing programs with advertising began to emerge and soon proved profitable beyond the wildest dreams: by 1929 the Ford Motor Company was paying $1000 a minute for prime time (the popular evening time), and the price was climbing.
The National Broadcasting Company started experimental television broadcasts in New York City in 1930, but it was not after the World War II that television truly developed.
The first publicly available sets had round screens ranging in size from 5 to 9 inches, and viewers had to sit up close to see. The first commercial TV appeared in the summer of 1941.
In 1946 there were 6 television stations in the United States; in 1973 there were 927 and now there are about 1000 commercial television stations. More than 600 of these are connected with the big private national television networks: ABC, NBC and CBS, which show their programs at the same time throughout the nation during prime time (the hours in which most people watch television, usually 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.) The rest are either independent or in smaller networks. An increasing number of Americans also subscribe to cable television stations.
Public television, funded by government grants and public donations, doesn’t only provide a select mixture of entertainment and information. Thanks to such programmes as “Sesame Street” and “Electric Company”, it has also helped to teach a whole generation to read.
Unlike newspapers and magazines, however, radio and television stations in the United States act under the implied restrictions of a Government license, granted by Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Sports.
Baseball wasn’t so popular until 1840s and for many years was widely regarded as a game for the idle rich. The Civil War helped to democratize the game, as Union Army recruits took to baseball and taught it to fellow soldiers and to their captors in prison camps in the South. Soon after the war the first professional clubs were formed, and thereafter baseball occupied an unchallenged position as the Nation’s No. 1 sport until the late 1940s. The rules of the present game were made up by Alexander Joy Cartwright in 1845. It was no easy task, because different versions of the game were played in different states. When the first modern game of baseball was played in 1846 Alexander Joy Cartwright acted as the game’s umpire and once fined one of the players for swearing. The fine amounted to 6 cents.
Football at the beginning of the 20th century was essentially a college game and even then was criticized for its brutality. Boxing developed slowly, hampered by legal bans and public disapproval. Golf and tennis were dismissed as recreations for wealthy. Eventually, all these sports attained great popularity.
Bicycling became the rage in the 1890s, but interest diminished as the automobile appeared.
After World War II there were great opportunities for the enjoyment of leisure. Shorter workweeks, higher pay and longer vacations encouraged travel and sightseeing. A growing interest in physical fitness sent people into the open air. They learned to play golf, tennis, handball and volleyball and others. When they were not out on the roads, beaches or playing fields, they crowded into baseball parks, football stadiums, basketball and hockey arenas, racetracks as spectators and millions sat before their TV sets to watch highly paid athletic superstars perform.
Of all major sports played in the United States, the only purely inborn game is basketball. It was invented in 1891 by Canadian-born James Naismith, who taught physical education in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the International Training School (now Springfield College). Using a soccer ball and two peach baskets, he designed an indoor, no-contact sport to keep his students in form during the winter and to fill the winter gap between the football season in autumn and baseball in spring.
By 1939 the rules of basketball was printed in as many as 30 languages, and the game was played in more than 75 countries. The game was also made an official part of Olympic competition in 1936, in Germany, when basketball teams from 22 countries participated.
Check yourself
1. When did the American Colonies’ first newspaper appear?
2. Is there no national radio station in the United States?
3. Who invented basketball?
Lecture 6
American Food and Drink.
Hot dogs. Tad Dorgan, a sports cartoonist, gave the frankfurter its nickname in 1906. Chewing it at a baseball game, he concluded that it resembled a dachshund’s body and put that whimsy into a drawing, which he captioned “Hot Dog!”
Sausages go all the way back to the ancient Babylon, but the hot dog was brought to the US shortly before the Civil War by a real Frankfurter – Charles Feltman, a native of Frankfurt, Germany, who opened a stand in New York and sold grilled sausages on warmed rolls.
Hamburgers. Modern hamburgers on a bun were first served at a St. Louis Fair in 1904, but Americans really began eating them in quantity in the 1920s, when the White Castle snack bar chain featured a small, square patty at a very low price. Chopped beef, tasty and easily prepared, quickly caught on as family fare. The history of the hamburger dates back to medieval Europe. A Tartar dish of shredded raw beef seasoned with salt and onion juice was brought from Russia to Germany by early German sailors. The lightly broiled German chopped-beef cake, with pickles and pumpernickel on the side, was introduced to America in the early 1800s by German immigrants in the Midwest.
Doughnuts. It was early Dutch settlers and the Pennsylvania Germans who introduced the deep-fried doughnut to America. To the Dutch it was a festive food, eaten for breakfast on Shrove Sunday.
Legend has it that the doughnut got its hole in 1847 when Hanson Gregory, a lad later to become a sea captain, complained to his mother that her fried cakes were raw in the center and poked holes in the next portion before they were cooked.
During World War I, when the Salvation Army served them to the troops, doughnuts really took off as a popular fare. Since then, coffee and doughnuts have become a national institution. Stores sell them plain, sugared, frosted, honey-dipped, or jam-filled.
Apple pie. At its best, with a savory filling and crisp, light-brown crust, apple pie has long been a favorite on American tables.
Apples and apple seeds were among the precious supplies the early colonists brought to the New World. The first large apple orchards were planted near Boston by William Blaxton in the 1600s. When he moved to Rhode Island in 1635, he developed the tart Rhode Island Greening, still considered one of America’s finest apple pies.
As the fruit became abundant, many settlers ate apple pie at every meal. Garnished with a chunk of cheese, it was a favorite colonial breakfast dish. By the 18th century apple pie had become so popular, that Yale College in New Haven served it every night at supper for more than 100 years.
America’s love affair with apple pie has remained constant. Today’s housewives, pressed for time, can shortcut the tradition by buying the pastry ready-made at bakeries and supermarkets. Many variations on the good old original are available, but the classical apple pie, irresistible when topped with a slice of cheese or slathered with vanilla ice – cream, is still America’s favorite.
Potato chips. George Crumb, an American Indian who was the chef at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the mid-19th century, was tired when a finicky dinner guest kept sending back his French fried potatoes, complaining that they were too thick. In anger, Crumb shaved the potatoes into tissue-thin slices and deep fried them in oil. He had a dishful of crisp “Saratoga chips” presented to the guest, who was delighted with the new treat.
Potato chips became the specialty of Moon’s Lake House and, later, America’s crunchiest between meals snack.
Coca-Cola. America’s best known soft drink was first concocted by an Atlanta pharmacist in 1886. The syrup was cooked up by John S. Pemberton from extracts of coca leaves and the kola nut. He then organized the Pemberton Chemical Company, and Coca-Cola syrup mixed with plain water was sold in local drug-stores for five cents a glass.
Sales were slow until in 1887 a prosperous Atlanta druggist, Asa G. Candler, bought the Coca-Cola formula – then as now a carefully guarded secret – and added carbonated water to the syrup instead of plain water.
Advertisements stressing the words “delicious” and “refreshing” and carrying coupons for free Coca-Cola added to the increase in consumption. A system of independent local bottling companies was developed, and the flared bottle, familiar worldwide and said to resemble the hobble skirt, was designed in 1916.
In 1919 the company was sold out for $25 million to a group headed by Ernest Woodruff. Under his son, Robert W. Woodruff, Coca-Cola rapidly expanded its market. By the mid-1970s more than 150 million Cokes a day were sold in countries all over the world.
Today Coca-Cola has to compete with many other soft drinks, but it is still one of the symbols of the United States.
The symbols
The Statue of Liberty. Since 1886, when her great torch was lifted into place 305 feet (92,96 metres) above Liberty Island in New York, the colossal statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” has symbolized America for millions of newcomers. The statue was the work of Alsatian sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and was intended to commemorate both a century of amity between France and the United States and the concept of political freedom shared by the two nations. The book that Liberty holds in her left hand symbolizes the Declaration of Independence. The main figure is attached to an iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel, builder of France’s Eiffel Tower. The Statue was paid for by French contributors; American schoolchildren participated on a nationwide drive to raise funds for the pedestal.
The White House. The official residence of the President stands in tree-shaded grounds (18 acres – 72843,4 square metres) on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue. The main building has 6 floors, with the East Terrace leading to the East Wing, a 3-story building used for offices and as an entrance for official events and leads to the Executive Office. The White House was designed by James Hoban, an Irish-born architect. President Washington chose the site which was included in the plan of the Federal City.
Check yourself
1. What is the history of the hamburger?
2. When and how did Coca-Cola appear?
3. What can you say about the Statue of Liberty?