United States of America

The United States of America is a country in the continent North America, and is the wealthiest country in the world. It was first discovered by Vikings in the 11th century, and was later accidentally discovered, by Christopher Columbus. It is comprised of fifty states, and is the emblem of freedom.

## History

About 10,000 years ago Native Americans from Asia came across the Bering Strait, and crossed over to the continent North America into Alaska. They would then slowly colonize America, and Mexico, and become known as Native Americans or "Indians". Later a flood taking place after the Ice Age created the water filling the Bering Strait we know today. Later in the 11th century Vikings first came to America, and exploited the Native Americans, and also cultivated the land for resources. Then they left not telling anyone about the land as they wanted to keep it to themselves to use for, there, gain. The land would not be discovered again until 1492, when Christopher Columbus, in a rush to prove that the earth is round, tries to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and go to India. Instead he "discovered" America, and thought he was in India, so he called the Native Americans he met there "Indians". When he got there he claimed America (which he thought was India at the time) for Italy. Then he went on to trade for gold and silver with the Native Americans. He took four more trips back to America to further explore the "New World". America was later named in 1507 by German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller when he created a world map showing the country named America. The country named America would now be known as the continent South America. He named America in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. From the 16th - 18th century there were many different European settlements fighting for land in the "New World". Such as Italy, France, and England. Later, England would try to colonize the new land by creating the first settlement in America named Roanoke.

A few months later all the people from Roanoke mysteriously disappeared, leaving only one word carved on a nearby tree "CROATOAN". To this day no-one has found out what had happened to them. Years later England attempted to start another colony named Jamestown in 1607. In 1620 the Pilgrims wanted religious freedom, which England did not have, to worship there god freely. So, they first migrated from England to Holland. After realizing there beliefs did not affiliate with there religion, they then migrated to the "New World", and created the Plymouth Colony, and survived and thrived due to the help of the Native Americans. These first colony's would branch out to become the thirteen colonies of America. After the British heavily taxed the colonists, the American Revolutionary War began. After this war America had gained there independence as a nation. Through the 19th century America expanded to the west and the south, which heavily impacted the Native Americans as they were moved to reservations which treated them poorly. After most of America was colonized Slavery was still a huge problem, especially in the south. Abraham Lincoln saw this, and after he won presidency he aimed to make Slavery illegal. The southern states saw this, and had said once he won presidency they would become there own nation. When he won the presidency in 1861 the south split from America becoming the Confederate States of America. The north would not have this, and so began the American Civil War. After a long fight America won the Civil War, and Slavery was made illegal in America. Later Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth who did not agree with his decision. Then came the Industrial Age which greatly impacted America. Also during World War I America was apart of the Allied Powers. The same went for World War II, when America fought against the Nazi onslaught while being apart of the Allied Powers. In the late 20th century the Cold War, and many other conflicts happened shaping America as it is today. Creating relationships with other country's such as North Korea, and China. All of this history all shaped the United States of America as it is today.