the american people
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The United States
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The United States
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The American People
308,745,538 residents in 2010
Third largest nation in the world
A nation of nations
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The Native Americans
Came from Asia 40,000 years ago
10 million Native Americans in the 15th century
Today: 0.8% of the total population (2.5 million)
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0.80%
99.20%
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The Native AmericansWestern states: California, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico
1/3 on reservationsothers mostly in citiesMajor problems:- poverty-unemployment
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The British
13 % of population
Started settling in 1600s
British culture was the foundation on which America was built
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13%
87%
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African-Americans12% of population
1620-1820: 8 million slaves brought from Africa
200 years of slavery
100 years of segregation
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12%
88%
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African-Americans
Major problem:poverty and its bad effects
South, cities of the Northwest and Midwest
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Immigrants from Northern and Western Europe
Immigration began in the 1820s
Reason: to escape poverty, war, discrimination
Immigrants from Germany (17%), the UK (13%), Ireland (11.9%), Scandinavia (3.9%)
Midwest
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45.80%
54.20%
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Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe1870s 1930s; after 1960s
Reason: poverty and discrimination
Immigrants from Italy (5.6%), Greece, Poland, Russia
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Serbian Americans
170,000
Chicago the Serbian stronghold in America
1893 the first Serbian parade in Chicago
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Hispanic Americans15,8% of total population
3 main groups:- Mexican Americans (Texas and California)- Puerto Ricans (New York)- Cuban Americans (Florida)
The fastest growing group of immigrants
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15.80%
84.20%
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Asian Americans
5% of population
Since 1960s
California, Hawaii, New York and Texas
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5%
95%
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Melting Pot vs. MosaicMelting pot immigrants should adopt American culture
Mosaic Americas strength lies in its diversity
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The Political System
Indirect democracy people rule through representatives they elect
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The Constitution
The supreme law of the USA
Written in 1787
Amendments
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Three Branches of Governmentsystem of checks and balances
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Legislative branch makes laws
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Executive branch administers the laws
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President of the USA
Barack Obama
Since 2009
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Vice President of the USA
Joe Biden
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Secretary of State
John Kerry
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Judicial branch interprets laws
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Federalism
Each individual state has its own governmentThere is also federal, or national, government
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State and local government
Each state has its own constitution
State governments are also divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches
The leader of a state is the governor
Below the state level: county and city governments
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Two-Party System
Republican party (upper-class, conservative)
Democratic party (working class, liberal)
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Economy
Free enterprise system: private businesses compete against one another with relatively little interference from the government
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ReligionSeparation of church and stateNo official religion
Christians 76%Other 5.5%Non-religious 15%
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Christian76%
Non-Christian (Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu)5.50%
Non-religious15%
Refused to answer3.50%
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The FamilyThe American family has changed
Dual-earning familiesSingle-parent and other non-traditional families
Generation gap
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Elementary and High SchoolFrom age 7 to 16: compulsory education
90% attend public schools10% attend private schools
School year: September June
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Advanced SchoolingCommunity / junior colleges (2 years)
Colleges and universities (4 years)
Public and private
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Culture
The US is an international centre of culture
Cultural centres: New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles
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High Culture
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Popular Entertainment
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Leisure
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Holidays
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New Years DayJanuary 1st
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day3rd Monday of January
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Presidents Day3rd Monday of February
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Memorial DayLast Monday in May
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Independence DayJuly 4th
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Labor Day1st Monday in September
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Columbus DayOctober 12th
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HalloweenOctober 31st
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Thanksgiving4th Thursday of November
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ChristmasDecember 25th