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Chapter 1

Chapter 1. “A Portrait of Americans”. Sec. 1: Who Americans Are. Diversity: differences (ex: race, age, social class, where we live, etc.) America is probably the most diverse nation in the world

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 “APortrait of Americans”

  2. Sec. 1: Who Americans Are • Diversity: differences (ex: race, age, social class, where we live, etc.) • America is probably the most diverse nation in the world • Two popular nicknames for America are “Melting Pot” and “Cultural Mosaic.” Both nicknames refer to our diversity

  3. Americans on the Move • In the early days of our country, most people lived on farms or in small towns on the East Coast • Gradually people began to move westward and also from rural area (country) to urban areas (cities) • Today, many people are moving both south and west (warmer weather!). This is called the Sunbelt. (ex: Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas.

  4. What work we do • A hundred years ago, most Americans worked in farming and manufacturing • The development of modern farm machinery and electronic technology in factories has lessened the need for these types of workers • Today, nearly 3 out 4 Americans work “service jobs.” (ex: doctor, teacher, mechanic, plumber, etc.)

  5. How old we are • There are more older Americans now than ever before • Improvements in medical care have increased our life expectancy (77 yrs.) • Also, the “baby boom” (1946-1964) has led to a greater number of “older” Americans today. • Parents today are having fewer children than did people of their parents generation • This slide is gray – get it!

  6. Sec. 2: America – A Cultural Mosaic • America is often called a nation of immigrants. Consider: we are still one of the younger nations in the world! (232 years old) • There are five major groups Of Americans: • European Americans • African Americans • Hispanic Americans • Asian Americans • Native Americans • *List is compiled largest to smallest

  7. Native Americans • The original inhabitants of America (before it was ever called that) were the Native Americans. • Today, they make up the smallest of the five groups at just about 1%. With the arrival of the Europeans in the 1600s and 1700s, many Natives were forced out of their lands and onto reservations. • Native Americans are a very diverse group, with many different tribes, religions, and customs.

  8. European Americans • European Americans make up, by far, the largest of the groups at nearly 70%. • European Americans come from many different countries, including England, Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, and more. • Many came here in search of new opportunities and freedom. • European Americans have brought may customs • From their homelands which • have been key ingredients in • our Melting Pot.

  9. African Americans • Unlike the other groups, African-Americans were brought here largely against their will • From the 1600s up to the early 1800s, African Americans were brought as part of the slave trade • Both by law and custom, African Americans have suffered from discrimination • Since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s (MLK), opportunities for African Americans have greatly expanded

  10. Two definitions! • Discrimination: the unfair treatment of a group of people • Racism: the belief that one race is superior to others • These are sometimes the negative consequences of living in such a diverse country/ lots of intolerance

  11. Hispanic Americans • Hispanic Americans share a common heritage from Spanish-speaking countries • Many share a common religion – Catholic • Many Hispanic Americans came here fleeing economic hardship and political persecution • The largest concentration of Hispanic Americans is in southern states (esp. Florida) • Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing group in our country today

  12. Asian Americans • The California Gold Rush in 1849 led many Asian to immigrate to America. May settled in CA (esp. San Francisco) • Many Asian Americans prospered, and their success led to resentment from other groups • Exclusion Laws were passed in the late 1800s and early 1900s to limit Asian immigration • Asian Americans include: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodians, etc.

  13. Sec. 3: The Values That Unite Us • The three American values are: • Equality • Freedom (or Liberty) • Justice

  14. Five definitions! • Beliefs: ideas that we trust are true • Values: our standards of behavior • Equality: the condition of everyone having the same rights and opportunities • Freedom: the opportunity to make personal and public choices • Justice: fairness; the idea that every person deserves to be treated fairly

  15. Quick Section/ Chapter Summary • The glue that holds American society together is our shared belief in equal respect and in our values: equality, freedom, and justice • America is an “imperfect society.” Our history and newspapers show that we do not always achieve our ideal. Still, we strive to be united and a great and tolerant country. • America is known for it’s great diversity and for having opportunities and freedoms that many other countries have never known.

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