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. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonised 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 signed in 1776.
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 centred on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts 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 four 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 the Midwest. The mid- and late- 19th century also saw the development of 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 continent.
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 became the world's leading economy. The USA entered WWII following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. WWII 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. To this end, the US increased its global military presence, fighiting in the Korean War of the 1950s, the Vietnam War, and multiple interventions and conflicts in the Middle East. The Reagan administration, which came to office in 1980, reinvigorated the ideological struggle against communism. However, relations between the USA and the former USSR improved greatly after 1985, owing to the new Soviet foreign policy adopted by the Gorbachev government.
In 1988, Reagan's Vice-President George Bush was elected to the White House. Bush presided over the collapse of the Soviet bloc and, to that extent, 'won' the Cold War. With its principal enemy vanquished, American foreign policy needed overhauling. Under the aegis of the ‘New World Order’, Bush launched two major, largely successful military campaigns. But his neglect of domestic matters, especially the economy, was exploited by Bill Clinton, a relatively unknown Democratic governor who went on to win the 1992 presidential election.
Clinton served two terms, characterized by a growing economy and two key trade agreements which laid the foundations of globalisation: 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 Organisation. Though widely liked by world leaders, Clinton's foreign policy record was mixed and he was often plagued by the consequences of poor decisions, including a highly publicized and controversial affair with a White House intern, which brought impeachment proceedings.
The 2000 presidential election was won, albeit not without controversy, by George W. Bush, governor of Texas and son of former President George Bush. Bush, prone to verbal gaffes and widely considered lacking in knowledge of global history, shaped a more aggressive and jingoistic US foreign policy, particularly after the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred in 2001. The aftermath of the attacks saw increased military presence and action in the Middle East, which continues to this day. Bush was re-elected to a second term in 2004.
The election of November 2008 saw a record turnout and victory to Democrat candidate Barack Obama who has been President of the United States since January 2009. His election was historic because he was the first black president of the country. The next US election is scheduled for November 2011; Obama will be running as the incumbent against the Republican party candidate.
Protestant majority (51.3%) with Roman Catholic, Mormon, Jewish and many ethnic minorities. An increasing percentage of Americans are distancing themselves from formal religious affiliations; 12.1% currently declare no affiliation.
Social conventions:Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require more formal attire.
Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or forbidden in public buildings in most states. An increasing number of states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in many public places.
The wide variety of national origins and the USA's relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within the same communities, although race relations remain fraught in certain regions, as highlighted by the Ferguson riots in 2014.
English is the main language, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities (10.7%).
