Ethnic groups in the USA

American Indians/Native Original settlers over 20,000 years ago. Only 1 or 2% of the population. Pushed off land and massacred by white settlers and U.S. govt in the nineteenth century. Forced onto reservations for each tribe. (Navajo, Kiowa, etc) Recognised as the poorest and most disadvantaged group in America. Many American Indians live off the reservations.

White Americans White immigration started properly in the early 1600s from England. The largest ethnic group at roughly 70% of the population. Large groups include those from Italy, Poland, England, Germany, Sweden and Holland. The wealthiest and most influential group in America. Political class traditionally WASPs (White Anglo Saxon Protestants) Many whites feel under pressure from immigration, particularly Hispanic/Latino

African Americans Descendents of African slaves brought to the ‘Old South’. The third largest group at 13% of the population. Have long suffered economic, social and political discrimination. The 1960s saw major improvements in Black rights. Proportionally still among the most disadvantaged in America. Many Blacks now prospering though millions caught in the ‘underclass’ Barack Obama’s Presidency does not mean the problem is solved.

Hispanic (Latino) Americans Term given to people who belong to Spanish speaking groups. Split into sub –groups; Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and Central/South American. The 2nd largest ethnic grouping in America at roughly 15%. Sub-groups all have different political affiliations and reasons for being in the USA. More successful socio-economically than Blacks but still a long way from Whites in terms of equality. Immigration among the key political issues in America

Asian/Pacific Islanders Principally from China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and the Pacific islands Roughly 4% of the population. Mainly settled on the West coast though not exclusively. In general more socio-economically successful than Blacks and Hispanics. Numbers are increasing at a dramatic rate.