American history

Pre-Columbian era
The origins of American population are probably situated in Asia. The first inhabitants crossed the Bering land bridge (thanks to the last ice age) almost 15 000 years ago. Some of them settled in Alaska but most of them continued and through the North America down to the South. After some town they settled down and created many tribes. The most important were situated in the Mesoamerica which is the region extending from Central Mexico south to the north western border of Costa Rica.
1)    Aztec civilization - their country was situated in the central Mexico, their government was really powerful, they built many beautiful cities such as Tenochtitlán or Texcoca, they also built many monuments and pyramids, they were attacked by Hernan Cortez
2)    Inca empire - it was the largest empire of the pre-Columbian era, it was situated on the west side of South America, Inca people built also many cities and the most known is Machu Picchu, they were attacked by Spanish conqueror Francisko Pizzaro
3)    Maya civilization - native habitants of Mexico, well known for their fully developed language in pre-Colombian era, they were also good in observation of night sky and stars, they created Maya calendar
In the year 1492 the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus found now days Cuba and discovered by the New World.

America as a British colony
Starting the 17th century British Emporium was a large mighty country which was controlling many colonies all over the world. There were 13 colonies founded under the rule of England along the Atlantic coast in the 18th century. One group of colonies was also in North America. Britain gained control over these colonies thanks to their successful no-compromised diplomacy which lead (from time to time) to war with France. Other important things of successful evolving colonies were slaves from Africa. Without this manpower it would be very difficult to produce such a huge amount of wood, tobacco and other raw materials. Moreover this business with slaves was very lucrative.
Great Britain decided to gather a large amount of taxes from colonists because of war with France. American colonies weren’t satisfied with this plan and because of that became American Revolution in which USA won and became one of the independent countries in the world. The first president was George Washington who was one of the military leaders; he reorganized American army and with others (56 important USA leaders including: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams or Benjamin Franklin) wrote the Declaration of Independence on 4th of July 1776; and this meant that United States of America were established.
The problem with salves from Africa divided USA to two groups. On the North United States as a Union and on the South Confederate States of America as a Confederacy. Union wanted cancellation of slavery in all United States. However Confederacy on South was depending of slave manpower. The civil war started in 1861 and ended in 1865 by victory of Unionists and slavery was abolished (zrušeno). However the president Abraham Lincoln was murdered by actor (who was sympathized with Confederation) in theatre.

During the 1st World War America promised the neutrality. But the situation was bad for the allies and the USA had to enter the war on their side in 1917. The allies won the war. The same situation happened during the World War II. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour forced the American army to take part in the war on the side of Britain and the Soviet Union against Germany, Italy and Japan. The allies won again, but the world didn´t have a long rest from the warfare.
The period called the Cold War started in 1948 and it lasted for 40 years. It was a conflict between democratic countries in the West and the Communist regime under the Soviet rules on the East of Europe. A very important point in this conflict was the birth of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. The Korean and Vietnam Wars are the examples of this conflict, too. The northern parts of these countries remained under the communist influence and they wanted to take over the democratic southern parts. This conflict almost led to 3rd World War. The Cold War ended with tearing down the Berlin Wall and disintegration of the Soviet Union and so called Eastern Block.
Nowadays the United States of America is the most powerful country in the world.
Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)
•    Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States.
•    He is well remembered for his energetic personality, range of interests and achievements, leadership of the Progressive Movement, model of masculinity.
•    He was a leader of the Republican Party.
•    He extended national parks and gave lots of money to the protection of the wildlife.

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963)
•    Was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.
•    He was charismatic, good-looking and convincing.
•    He had to solve a serious international crisis. The first problem occured when the Berlin Wall was built in 1961. He went to Berlin to support the west part of Germany but he didn’t have enough power to stop building of the wall.
•    The next problem was represented by the Caribbean crisis in 1962. The communist regime of Fidel Castro allowed the Soviet Union to use Cuba as a base for nuclear weapons. Luckily, the problem was solved and the Soviet troops left the island.
•    He was assassinated 22nd November 1963 in Dallas.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
•    Was a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement.
•    King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
•    King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination.
•    He was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee on 4th of April 1968 at the Lorraine Motel where he was about to support labour strike. He was shot by single bullet to his neck.