Cultures and Lifestyles Chapter 6, Section 3

Cultural Characteristics US and Canada are countries of many cultures The immigrant roots of these countries also gives them a respect for diversity.

Religious Freedom Freedom of religion has always been valued in the US and Canada –British Parliament passed a law recognizing the religious rights of Roman Catholic French Canadians 1791 –US has the Bill of Rights Most Americans are Christians and Protestant Most Canadians are Roman Catholic

Languages Official Language of the US is English Official Language of Canada is English and French Immigration from all over the world they also speak various languages. Quebec French-speaking Canadians want to split from Canada and form their own country. In the South, many people are bilingual.

The Arts Art in the US and Canada goes back to the first Americans. They interwove art and music into daily life. Native Americans –Carvings from shell and stone –Clay pottery –Wove baskets, sandals and mats Europeans brought their own art to the colonies Americans and Canadians began to create their own art.

Music Native Americans used –Drums –Flutes –Whistles –Vocal chanting Europeans brought folk and religious music America –1900’s Jazz Blended African American rhythms with European harmonies –1960’s Rock ‘n’ roll

The Visual Arts Painting and sculpture in the US and Canada explored new themes Early 1900s, a group of American artists known as the Ashcan School painted the grim realities of urban life. In Canada there was the Group of Seven. Showed a rugged landscape of Canada’s far north in bright, dynamic colors.

Visual Arts cont’d Georgia O’Keefe Painted the American West mid-1900s European abstract style Expresses the artist’s emotions and attitudes Architecture Skyscrapers appeared in the US

Literature Major authors James Fenimore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe Wrote about life in North America Authors began writing about all the regions

Popular Entertainment During the 1900s the US became the world’s dominant source for entertainment and popular fashion Hollywood became known for the movie business Canada is known for it’s documentaries

Lifestyles People of the US and Canada have a high standard of living Socioeconomic status Level of income and education Have advantage of a lot of personal choices and opportunities.

Health Care People in the US and Canada can expect to live longer In Canada, the government pays for health care In the US, most people are expected to pay for their own health care through health insurance providers March 23, 2010 – the new Health Care Reform bill was signed into law

Education US and Canada have similar education systems Most have 12 grades Colleges and Universities are in every state and province In both countries the literacy rate is 97%

Sports and Recreation US – Baseball and Football Canada – Ice hockey

Celebrations Both countries celebrate the same religious holidays Civic observations are similar but held on different dates US has July 4 th and Canada has July 1 st Public displays of patriotism Loyalty to one’s country