1. “A Portrait of Americans”
Chapter 1
“A Portrait 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” ( ) 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

12. 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

14. 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.

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

16. 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

17. 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.