Introduction to American Society

http://edu.hioa.no/int-engelsk/

«The Country and the People»

by

Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

17 August 2015

Visions of the U.S.A.

1. Bruce Springsteen”Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)

Disillusionment, declining older industries, no jobs, social problems, pessimism

Visions of the U.S.A.

2. Ronald Reagan (1980-88)”This great nation” – pride in the U.S.A. restored after the Vietnam war

Optimism, patriotism (including the U.S.A.’s special mission and ability to set a good example for the rest of the world), opportunities

The Country and the People: Diversity

Size, geography: immense variety of landscape and climate

The population: ethnic and racial diversity

Still many common traits, attitudes, values

Contradictory values?

The Country:Main Regions in the U.S.A.

1. The Northeast

Two major parts: New England and the Middle Atlantic States

Historical importance

Cultural centre – higher education and research

The Northeast

Innovative business methods / high-tech production (vs. decline in heavy industries)

Urban, densely populated area – social problems

Concentration of enormous economic power – Wall Street

2. The South

Slavery and the Civil War (1861-1865)

Fertile region – the old plantations (lowland/coastal plains)

Since 1950 a populous and dynamic region - industrialization

The South

Tourism - the "sun belt”

Immigration from Spanish-speaking countries and Asia

Texas – oil and gas

3. The Midwest

Two major parts: urban vs. rural

A. The Great Lakes area: industry, e.g. car industry (”the rust bowl”)

B. The Central Basin: the prairie states

and the great plains (”the dust bowl”)

The Midwest

The no. 1 agricultural region of the nation (corn, wheat, soybeans)

Vast open spaces, fierce climate

Also the second largest urban area in the nation. Chicago as the region’s major city and cultural centre

4. The West

Three major parts: the Mountain States (the Rockies), the Southwest, the Northwest

Cattle and sheep ranching

Farming (deserts transformed into farmlands), vineyards, fisheries, forestry

Mining and petroleum industries, uranium deposits – atomic and space research

The West

High-technology industries + prestigious universities

Tourism, gambling and entertainment industries

Largest Chinese population outside China

Large-scale immigration from Mexico

Alaska became the 49th and Hawaii the 50th state of the USA in 1959. Geographical extremes. Hawaii’s population is 45 % Asian .

The PeopleIs it possible to generalize about Americans?

The U.S.A. is a multi-cultural and multi-racial society, consisting of five major groups of people (and numerous minor groups).

Americans of European origin are still the dominant group (around 70% of the population of approximately 320 million people).

The major groups of people in the USA

1. Whites: approximately 200 million

2. Hispanics (Latinos): approx. 55 million (49 m of these are categorized as white)

3. African Americans: approx. 40 million

4. Asians: approx. 17 million

5. Native Americans (American Indians): 3 m

These figures are based on the 2014 Population Estimates by the US Census Bureau.

Changing racial and ethnic diversity

Hispanics, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans are the largest minorities/ ethnic groups.

Native Americans = First Americans…

Tribes, reservations, government policy

Their situation today

African Americans

Until very recently the largest minority group in the USA

Two important decades in black history - a hundred years apart: the 1860s and the 1960s.

The 1860s:

The 1960s:

Their situation today

The Country and the People: Unity

Aspects that clearly make the U.S.A. one nation:

The English language

Common ideals, symbols, history: ”The American Dream” (e.g. freedom, equality of opportunity), the Constitution, the flag

The political union: the federal government, the President

The Country and the People: Unity

Aspects that clearly make the U.S.A. one nation:

A single economic unit

US education / schools

Mass media

A large degree of mobility