The Civil War

12.7. Read and translate the text.

The purpose of the Civil War was to restore the Union of the Individual states and to preserve the Constitution. However, Congress was determined to make emancipation (freeing of the slaves) the primary issue of the war. Just before the outbreak of the Civil War, two issues faced the nation. The first was the freeing of the slaves, which the Southerners believed was a loss of property. The second issue was the right of secession (the withdrawal of a state from the Union).

The Constitution was an agreement between the states, so therefore each state had the right to leave the Union when they pleased.

These issues divided the nation.

In February of 1861, the Confederation states of America was formed. It consisted of South Caroline, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi­ ana, Arcansas and Texas. On the 1st of January, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the freedom of slaves. However, the actual end of slavery did not come until 1865.

The Civil War came to an end on the 1st of April, 1865. With the end of the war came the concept that the United States is not a group of states but rather one nation. With the emancipation of the slaves, new issues, such as civil rights, appeared.

12.8. Answer the questions:

1. What were the two main reasons for the Civil War?

2. Do you believe the Southern states had the right to secede from the nation?

3. Why do you think it was so important to the North to preserve the nation?

World War I

12.9. Read and translate the text.

When the war broke out in Europe in 1914, Americans declared neutrality. However, this proved to be a difficult policy. Several events led to the involvement of America in the war, including the sinking of the British passenger liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915 by the Germans, resulting in the deaths of 128 Americans and long strikes against American ships in 1917. President Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Congress declared war four days later on April 6, 1917. Beside American troops, the alies needed naval forces, ammunition, industrial goods, and food. The American Expeditionary Force under the leadership of General John Pershing arrived to France in 1917, and in July 1918, along with French troops, drove the Germans back close to their border. Eventually, Germany agreed to consider a peace plan, and a ceasefire was signed on November 11, 1918.

12.10. Answer the questions:

1. When did the World War I start?

2. What events led to the involvement of America in the war?

3. Who asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany?

Outstanding events from the History of Аmerica

12.11. Read and translate the text.

The first voyages along the coast of modern South and Central America were made by Amerigo Vespucci. That is why, in the 16th century German cartographer named this fourth part of the world after the explorer.

At the beginning of the 17th century European colonies were founded on the territory of the modern USA. In 1620 first colonists landed at Ply­ mouth Rock. They came from England on board the “Mayflower”. Most of them were Puritans or former Anglicans who were called pilgrims. Their hopes were connected with the promises of the Bible about the land “of honey and milk”, and America was thought to be this land. Later on Dutch, Spanish and Swedish colonies appeared.

People who came to America were mostly farmers, who wanted to exploit new lands.

The development of trade, industry and agriculture in the colonies constantly conflicted with the economic policy of Britain. After constant pressure on the colonies on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared the United Colonies to be independent of Great Britain. The new state was called the United States of America and July 4 became its national holiday. The Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Battle at Saratoga in 1777 when the Americans forced a large British army to capitulate, was a turning point in the long War for Independence. In this War the Americans were supported by France. In 1783 Britain finally recognized American independence. At the beginning of 1861 the Southern states left the Union and founded the Confederation. That was the beginning of the war between the South and the North.

The results of the war were the abolishing of slavery and establishment of “Indivisible union of indivisible states”. The states lost their right to leave the union.

The 1930s were the years of Great Depression in the USA. Franklin Roosevelt set up government organizations called agencies.

They found work for people, gave money to help the unemployed and homeless and helped the nation to recover from the Depression.