History

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North America in 1492, the continent was inhabited by peoples thought to have been descended from nomadic Mongolian tribes who had traveled across the Barents Sea. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonized the Eastern Seaboard. The restrictions on political rights and the punitive taxation which the British government imposed on the American colonists led to the American War of Independence (1775-1783), with the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776.

The outcome was a humiliating defeat for the English King, George III. The American Constitution born of this victory has been imitated by many other countries. A period of settlement, purchases from the French and Spanish, and annexation of Indian and Mexican lands followed.

By 1853, the boundaries of the United States were, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, as they are today. Economic activity in the southern States centered on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts by liberally inclined Republicans, led by Abraham Lincoln, to end slavery were fiercely opposed. The election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861 precipitated a political crisis in which seven southern States (joined later by three others) seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War. The more powerful and better equipped Union forces prevailed over the rebel Confederacy after 4 years of fighting. After the war, the country entered a period of consolidation, building up an industrial economy and settling the vast interior region of America known as the Midwest.

The mid- and late-19th century also saw the development of an American foreign policy: formal diplomatic and trading links were established with the old colonial powers; and the USA sought to assert itself as the dominant power on the American continent- a policy espoused by the Monroe Doctrine (1822) which laid the basis for intervention in support of the USA's 'national interest'. The latter has been a constant feature of US policy ever since. Successful diplomatic and commercial overtures were also made to Japan, paving the way for the growth of US power in the Pacific. In Europe, US intervention in 1917 proved decisive for the Allies, and signalled the emergence of the USA as a global power.

Driven by free-market economic policies and innovative developments in technology and production methods - notably the growth of the motor industry - the USA had by this time undeniably become the world's leading economy. The USA entered World War II following the Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbour, although its earlier neutrality had been decidedly favorable to the Allied Powers, especially Britain.

Domestic post-war politics have revolved around the struggle between the Republicans and Democrats, the only two parties of any significance. The Republican Party, often referred to as the GOP or Grand Old Party, picks up most corporate support and substantial backing from wealthy individuals; the Democrats are perceived as the party supported by particular interest groups, thus the 'labor vote', 'black vote', 'Jewish vote' and so on, and as having more liberal views on social and welfare policy.

The Democratic Party is, however, by no means left-wing and equally as keen as its GOP counterpart to attract the votes of 'middle America' - the mostly white, middle-income, middle-class folk who form the backbone of the US electorate (ie the quarter of the population who actually vote). Both Republican and Democratic candidates have been elected to the presidency with roughly equal frequency over the history of the nation, but Republicans have been more frequent in the White House since 1945 while the Democrats have dominated Congress.

World War II also saw the birth of nuclear weapons and the superpower conflict that has, until recently, dominated modern international relations. The essence of post-war US foreign policy was the struggle against the spread of communist influence. Despite the dangers of nuclear escalation, the USA has never eschewed military intervention, either directly, or by proxy. The Korean War of the 1950s (under UN auspices), the ill-fated Vietnam war and the Middle East have all seen US troops engaged while many other countries have experienced the effects of military forces financed and supported by discreet US backing.

World War II also saw the birth of nuclear weapons and the superpower conflict that has, until recently, dominated modern international relations. The essence of post-war US foreign policy was the struggle against the spread of communist influence. Despite the dangers of nuclear escalation, the USA has never eschewed military intervention, either directly, or by proxy. The Korean War of the 1950s (under UN auspices), the ill-fated Vietnam war and the Middle East have all seen US troops engaged while many other countries have experienced the effects of military forces financed and supported by discreet US backing.

Under the aegis of the New World Order, Bush senior launched two major, largely successful military campaigns against Panama and Iraq. But his neglect of domestic matters, especially the economy, was exploited by his main political opponent. This was Bill Clinton, the relatively unknown Democratic Governor of Arkansas who went on to win the 1992 presidential election by a comfortable majority. After a shaky start, Clinton served two terms. His administrations' principal legacy was a healthy economy, fuelled by 8 years of steady growth, and two key trade agreements which laid the foundations of what has come to be known as 'globalization': the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); and the Uruguay round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) from which emerged the World Trade Organization.

Clinton's foreign policy record was mixed. It started badly with the disastrous and humiliating US involvement (through the UN) in Somalia; Haiti almost went the same way although the position was later recovered. Thereafter, the Dayton accord that ended the Bosnian civil war was a success, favorably contrasting decisive US diplomatic and military action with the vacillations of the Europeans. In the Middle East, the 1994 Israeli-Palestinian accord was derailed by mutual suspicions while the 'dual containment' strategy designed to keep the twin pariahs, Iran and Iraq, in check had mixed results.

Clinton's second term was dominated by his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Congress appointed a special prosecutor, Kenneth Starr, to investigate dissembling by Clinton about Lewinsky and other dubious episodes in his business and personal lives. Despite accumulating a mass of evidence, Starr was unable to persuade Congress to impeach Clinton, but the episode seriously tainted his presidency.

The 2000 presidential election pitted Clinton's Democratic Vice-president, Al Gore, against George W 'Dubya' Bush, governor of Texas and son of former President George Bush. The contest was ultimately decided in favor of Bush, in circumstances that are still bitterly disputed, by an extremely narrow margin in the state of Florida.

Bush arrived in Washington as an unknown quantity, but assembled a Cabinet of seasoned Washington hands such as Dick Cheney (Vice-President) and Colin Powell (Secretary of State); a number of others had served under his father. Many had close links with the oil industry so when the new administration, in one of its first major foreign policy decisions, pulled out of the Kyoto agreement on worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, there were strong protests but little surprise. Soon afterwards, the USA announced its intention to abrogate several arms control agreements. It has also embarked on a controversial research program to develop a defensive system against ballistic missile attack (known colloquially as 'Son of Star Wars') and a substantial increase in defense spending to fund it. In general, US foreign policy has now taken a more aggressive and nationalistic bent: the main enemy was defined as the 'axis of evil', a group of countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea who were perceived as implacably opposed to the US and its policies. Then came '9-11'.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, which claimed over 3000 lives, made for a defining moment in American history. The impact on the American people and its body politic was immense. The country demanded action, and Bush immediately dispatched a substantial force to tackle and destroy the perpetrators: the al-Qaeda movement headed by Osama bin laden and its hosts, the Taleban regime in Afghanistan. He also assembled a diplomatic coalition of some 40 countries including the Western allies, Russia and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, India and Pakistan to wage an International War Against Terrorism.

The Taleban were brought down within weeks (see Afghanistan section). Some senior al-Qaeda personnel were captured, including Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged organizer of '9-11', but others, including Bin Laden himself, eluded capture. The Bush administration now turned its sights upon the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. With support from Britain and others, the Americans sought to use Saddam's possession of 'weapons of mass destruction' - a phrase encompassing nuclear, chemical and biological armaments - to justify an invasion of Iraq. This was completed in March 2003 after three weeks of fighting. However, no 'weapons of mass destruction' have been found, a fact which has since caused some political embarrassment for Bush and his allies.

The Iraq campaign was an undoubted military success. Most of the leading figures from Iraq's brutal Ba'athist regime were captured, including Saddam Hussein himself, or killed. But American and allied forces have since been confronted by a dogged insurgency which, using paramilitary tactics, has claimed hundreds of soldiers' lives and continues to destabilize efforts to rebuild Iraq according to the American blueprint.

Conditions in Iraq, and national security generally, will be a major issue for Bush junior, who recently secured a second term at the presidential election in November 2004. John Kerry, his democratic challenger, conceded defeat after a fiercely divisive and close presidential battle. However, this election bore none of the claimed controversies of the election in 2000. Indeed, the USA witnessed a record turnout of an estimated 121 million citizens come out to cast their vote. Bush junior was triumphant in seizing the popular vote as well the electoral vote, whilst the Republics tightened their grip on the Senate, kept control of the House of Representatives, and also presided over the possibility of further changes in the Supreme Court. It seems that Americans were keen to preserve stability in the White House whilst their nation remained in the midst of its 'War on Terror'. It remains to be seen how Bush junior will act in such a 'War' while in his final term as President - and, also, how the President will respond to domestic affairs and criticism of his persistent snubbing of environmental concerns, which culminated in him refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse emissions.

Culture

What Americans believe

That all people are equal and deserve an equal opportunity in life. They should all be treated fairly and with the same level of respect. This is one of the most basic principles of American philosophy. That everyone is free to be an individual. Americans do not believe in conforming to a general ideology or behavior. Individuality and self-expression are encouraged. That competition brings out the best in people and in businesses. Competition is another of the basic principles of American philosophy. That you are responsible for taking control of your own life and determining your own future. Americans do not believe in luck or fate. They are very proud of their individual achievements. That change is good and necessary. It brings about progress and improvement. Tradition is not as valued in America as it is in other cultures. That it is best to be honest and direct. In many cultures, it is considered impolite to speak too frankly or directly about a subject. Americans prefer to speak openly, even when giving a negative opinion or delivering bad news. That rationality is more important than emotion when making a decision. Americans are often most interested in "the bottom line." In other words, the best decision is the one that has the most productive outcome, usually measured in dollars and cents.

What Americans Love

Their country. Americans are very patriotic. They are very proud of their country and their way of life. They also have great respect for those who serve or have served in the armed forces. Their free time. Americans may not have much free time compared to people in some countries, but they value what they have. They will spend that time doing something for themselves, their family, or their community. Weekends and vacations are always full of activities. The outdoors. The United States government protects large sections of land from development and preserves them for the enjoyment of all. Americans enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Depending on the region, popular activities include sailing, hiking, mountain climbing, camping, and skiing. Sports. The United States probably has more professional athletes participating in a greater number of professional sports than any other country. Americans love to watch sports, either live or on television. They also love to participate in sports, and there are countless leagues for players of all ages and skill levels.

Geography

Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south and has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the continent, is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada, and Hawaii lies in the central Pacific Ocean. The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features. The climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna. For a more detailed description of each region's geographical characteristics, see the individual state sections.

Attractions

During your stay in the United States, you may wish to do a little touring. The US has a lot to offer the international visitor.

Tourist season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During the off season the attractions will not be as crowded and hotels won't be as full. But some attractions, such as amusement parks, shut down when school is in session.

Some of the more famous attractions for international visitors include:

• Niagara Falls
• The Smithsonian Institution
• Disney World
• The Grand Canyon
• Yellowstone National Park
• Statue of Liberty
• Maine Lobster
• Mall of America

There are also several cities worth visiting for their rich of museums, culture, events, attractions, and history. They include:

• Boston, Massachusetts
• Chicago, Illinois
• Hollywood, California
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Miami, Florida
• New York City
• San Francisco, California
• Washington, DC

Leisurehttp://www.educationusa.state.gov/home/education-usa/global-left-nav/living-in-the-u/practical-information-for-everyday-living/clubs-and-sports

Clubs

Clubs are an excellent way to meet people who share your interests, to make friends, to learn new things, and to have fun. There are student organizations for almost every interest and purpose, from the academic to the purely social. Usually you can get a list of campus clubs and organizations from the International Students Office or from your university's Web page. If you are interested in the activities of a certain club, attend a meeting. If there are many international students at the university, there will undoubtedly be an international club.

Cultural Activities

You will find many cultural activities on a university campus. Events such as plays, concerts, films, lectures, and art exhibitions are advertised in school publications and on bulletin boards on campus. If the university is located in or near a metropolitan area, you will find many more opportunities advertised in the entertainment and arts section of the city's newspaper.

Sports

Sports are a favorite pastime in the United States. Many people regularly engage in individual sports, such as tennis, jogging, swimming, and skiing, or in team sports like baseball, soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball. Cities often have organized sports tournaments for amateurs.


Almost all colleges and universities have intercollegiate football, baseball, basketball, swimming, and other teams that compete with teams from other schools. These teams often compete at a very high level and attract a large crowd of student supporters and other fans. Even if you are unfamiliar with U.S. sports, you should attend at least one sporting event. It is a lot of fun simply to be part of the crowd. Ask someone to explain the action to you. The spirit and excitement of the games are a large part of campus life.

Most colleges and universities also offer intramural sporting teams or competitions, where all teams are made up of your fellow students. Intramural sports are usually at a less competitive level than the intercollegiate teams and are often open to anyone with an interest in the sport. This can be a great way to meet people, to exercise, and to help reduce the stress of your studies.