The Immigration Journey: Building American Identity Through Diversity and Culture
Immigration has been a cornerstone of U.S. history, fueled by the American Dream and the quest for better opportunities. From the foundational settlements like Jamestown and Maryland to the waves of diverse immigrants arriving from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, these newcomers have woven a rich tapestry of cultures that shape modern American identity. Major religions, such as Protestantism and Catholicism, alongside minority groups, contribute to the American cultural mosaic. This highlights the importance of unity from diversity, embodied in national symbols like E Pluribus Unum.
The Immigration Journey: Building American Identity Through Diversity and Culture
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Americans • Immigrationas a centralaspectof U.S. history. • Due totheAmerican Dreammillionsofpeoplehavecometothe USA Founders: • People whoestablishedcolonies = founders Becauseofthecustomsandlawsto whichnewarrivalshadtoadjust • English establishedfirst permanent settlement: Jamestown (1607) • Lord Baltimore established Maryland in 1630 as a havenforCatholics • William Penn established Pennsylvania in 1681 forQuakers The foundershadcomeforeconomicreasonsandreligiousfreedom
Americans Immigration: In termsofethnicculture, theearlycolonialsettlement was largelycomposedby British arrivals Until 1776 (Declarationof Independence), over half ofthe populationcamefrom Great Britain. White, mainly Anglo-American Protestant dominant culture. Theypromotedmanyoftheyoung Republic´spolitical, social, constitutional andreligiousinstitutions. mainstream American Identity (Impact still felt)
Americans Religion: • Second major American culture rootsare in themanyfaithsthatcolonists, slavesandimmigrantshavebroughttothe New World. Major Religions: • Protestantism (largestandmost diverse ofthe US religions) dividedintoat least 220 churchesandsects • Roman Catholic Church predominantlywhitemembership BUT also newimmigrants from South America (Latinos) andfromsouth-eastAsia • Jewish Community • Other Religions (amongothers): Buddhism, Islam
Americans National Identity: • E PluribusUnum = out ofmanyone • Americanness bindingtheethnically diverse populationtocentralimages: US Flag (knownas Stars andStripes, Old Glory, Star Spangled Banner) PledgeofAllegiance Declarationof Independence 4th ofJuly Constitution = commonculturalsigns
Americans The Melting Pot: Israel Zangwill´splay The Melting Pot popularizedtheideathatpeopleof different backgroundswouldeventuallyfusemanyracesandculturesthroughintermarriageandbecome a newpeople.
Americans ThroughoutLiterature: At least fourwavesofimmigration: The followinginformationisadaptedfrom MAUK, David and John Oakland. American Civilization – An Introduction. NY: Routledge, 2009. Print 1st wave: colonialimmigration (1680-1776) = founders, mostlyfrom England 2nd wave: the “old“ immigrants (1820-1890) = Dutch, German, German Jews 3rd wave: the “new“ immigrants (1890-1930) = Italians, Jews, Poles, Hungarians. Also someMexicans, Russians, Czechs, Greeksand Portugeseimmigrated 4th wave: 1965 tothepresent = mainlyLatinosand Asian immigrantgroups
Americans: Sources MAUK, David and John Oakland. American Civilization – An Introduction. NY: Routledge, 2009. Print
Americans: EthnicGroups Minorities: • Native Americans • African Americans • Asian Americans • Latinos
Ethnic Groups Minorities: • Native Americans • African Americans • Asian Americans • Latinos • Patterns formed in thecolonialperiod: • Relations betweenthe natives andthe English weremarkedbydistrust, resentmentanddisastrouswars. • The censusestimatedthewholeorpartly Native-American populationatabout 3 Million. • Of all American ethnicgroups, Native-Americanshavethehighestunemployment, alcoholism, povertyandsuiciderates.
Ethnic Groups Minorities: • Native Americans • African Americans • Asian Americans • Latinos • The country´ssecondlargestminoritygroup. • The mostvisible national figures: • Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice and Barack Obama whoroseabovetheprejudiceanddivisivepartisanpoliticsofthepastbywinning a clearelectoralvictory Presidentof all thepeople in the United States
Ethnic Groups Minorities: • Native Americans • African Americans • Asian Americans • Latinos • Approximately 15 Million people (2007) • The nationsecond-fastest-growingminority • Aroundtwo-thirdsof all Asian Americans live in just sixstates: • California (35%) • New York (11%) • Texas (6%) • New Jersey (5%) • Hawaii (5%) • Illinois (4%)
Ethnic Groups Minorities: • Native Americans • African Americans • Asian Americans • Latinos • The fastest-growinggroup in thenation