American Beginnings1. What were the new and powerful social forces which led to the awakening of Europe and the discovery of America? P34The first force was the development of capitalism. The growth of capitalism produced two new classes-the bourgeoisie brwziand the working class with the development of commerce and trade, the bourgeoisie become increasingly powerful in politics as well as in economy, so they wanted to share more power with feudal lords.The second force was the Renaissance rensns, which was marked by a changing outlook on life.The third force was the Religious Reformation, a religious force movement that started from Germany.2.What was the unique American phenomenon? How did it come into being? Do you think it still exists in todays American society? P36The enactment nktmnt of laws for the colony and the enslavement of Africans combined constituted a unique American phenomenon.on the one hand, the English and other Europeans went to North America for seeking freedom. On the other hand, these very white people who were seeking and fighting for their own freedom deprived black Africans of their freedom.On July 30, 1619, the first meeting of an elected legislature, a representative assembly, was held in Virginia. A month later, still in Virginia, a Dutch ship brought in over 20 Negroes as servants for a term of years to make a start toward the enslavement of Africans within what was to be the American republic. This phenomenon still exists in todays American society, such as the racial discrimination. Until now, the black people still receive the unfair prejudice. However, the society in America is full of freedom, especially to the white people. They have a lot of rights in their life.3.In what way did the pattern of founding of Maryland influence American culture?In 1648, Lord Baltimore appointed a Protestant governor, and the next year, the Maryland Toleration Act, which assured freedom of worship to all who believed in Jesus Christ, was passed.Because the protestant majority were capitalistic-minded people and refused to carry out the feudal plan, and because the wilderness of North America provided plenty of land while labor was scarce, it was impossible for Lord Baltimore to have his feudal plan executed. Not long after the founding of his colony, the feudal experimental plan was dropped, and the colony, like other colonies in North America, followed a capitalist development road.4. In what way did Puritanism influence American culture? P37-38The Puritans believed that everyone had a calling, which was given by God. Working hard and living a moral life were their ethics, and they concluded that the Bible was the authority of their doctrine, so education was essential for Puritans.The Puritans hoped to build “a city upon hill”-an ideal community. Since that time, Americans have viewed their country as a great experiment, a worthy model for other nations. This sense of mission has been very strong in the minds of many Americans. New England also established another American traditiona strain of often intolerant moralism. The Puritans believed that governments should enforce Gods morality. They strictly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath and other religious believers different from themselves. Roger Williams, one of the Puritans who protested that the state should not interfere with religion, was driven out of Massachusetts. In 1635, he set up Rhode Island colony, which guaranteed religious freedom and the separation of Church and state. The Puritans also have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritan beliefs. The Political System1. What is a federal system?A federal system is one in which power is shared between a central authority and its constituent parts, with some rights reserved to each. The Constitution specified exactly what power the central government had and which power was reserved for the states.2. How did the delegates from the early British colonies design the constitution? In the course of the Convention, the delegates designed a new form of government for the United States. The plan for the government was written in very simple language in a document called the Constitution of the United States. In writing the Constitution, the delegates had to deal with two main fears shares by most Americans.3. What were the two main fears shared by Americans while writing the constitution and how did they deal with them? P52-53One fear was that one person or group, including the majority, might became too powerful or be able to seize control of the country and create a tyranny. To guard against this possibility, the delegates set up a government consisting of three parts, or branches, the executive, the legislative and the judicial. Each branch has a way of counteracting a