Chapter 1.3 The Diversity of Americans

A Nation of Immigrants All of today’s more than 300 million Americans are descended from immigrants. Many scholars believe the first Native Americans crossed a land bridge from Asia to North America. The first Europeans to settle permanently in North America came from Spain during the 1500s. They settled in Florida, California and the Southwest.

continued Beginning in the 1600’s, people arrived from France and England. The French settled in Canada and around the Mississippi River. The English settled mainly along the east coast, creating 13 colonies. A flood of immigrants arrived between 1860 and 1890, many from northern Europe. Another flood arrived between 1890 and 1924, mostly from central and eastern Europe.

continued Today, Latin America accounts for the largest share of newcomers, followed by Asia. Western and central Africans were brought to America by force and sold as slaves.

A Diverse Population Americans are ethnically diverse. Whites of European descent are the largest group, followed by African Americans and Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. Religious diversity thrives in the U.S. American culture is a rich blend of varied influences.

A Growing and Changing Population In the mid-1800s people began moving from farms to factory jobs in cities. In recent decades manufacturing jobs declined and service jobs increased. More women have entered the workforce.

continued After slavery ended, a migration, or mass movement, occurred as African Americans left the South seeking jobs in the North. Today the South is the most populous and, along with the West, the fastest growing area of the country. The average age of citizens is climbing upward. More Americans now earn college degrees. Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group.

Unity Among Citizens Americans share a common civic and political heritage based on the country’s founding documents. These include ideals of individual rights, popular sovereignty, equal justice under the law and majority rule through a representative gov’t. A common language is another source of unity.

continued Americans show patriotism – love for one’s country. We follow the nation’s laws. The attacks of September 11, 2001 were acts of terrorism – the use of violence by groups against civilians to achieve a political goal. Americans responded with courage and unity.