Immigration
How many waves of immigration to the US were there?
4
What date and month is USA's independence day?
4th of July
What are the two main political parties in the US?
Republicans and Democrats
What is the capital of the US called?
Washington D.C.
What do the stars and stripes in the US flag mean?
Stripes: The first colonies (13)
Stars: Current states (13)
What is the name of the island that served as the main immigration station for millions of immigrants between 1892 and 1954 (second wave)?
Ellis Island
Which year did the US declare its independence from Great Britain?
1776
What are the three branches of central power (separation of powers) in the US called?
The legislative branch
The executive branch
The judicial branch
What are the four main regions in the US?
West, Midwest, Northeast, South
What does it mean to be living the American Dream?
To work hard and become successful.
What are "push" and "pull" factors when it comes to immigration?
Push factors: made them want to leave their old country
Pull factors: made them want to come to the new country
During what period did the US Civil War take place?
Between 1861 and 1865
How many electoral votes does a presidential candidate need (at least) to win an election?
270
Which state is the largest in area, and farthest to the north?
Alaska
What are some core elements of the American Dream? Mention at least 3
Freedom, equality, opportunity, ambition, success, hard work, reward, economic success/freedom
Approximately how many Norwegians emigrated to the US between 1820 and 1925?
860 000
Who was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)? His most famous words were: "I have a dream".
Martin Luther King Jr.
What does "checks and balances" mean in US politics?
The principle in their political system that ensures a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Missouri River
What is a definition of "The American Dream"?
"the idea that the US is a place where anyone can become successful if they work hard enough"
The USA is a land of opportunity and possibilities.
Equality for people of all classes.
What was the "Homestead Act"?
Promise of free land - the government gave "regular people" land for free, if they settled down and built houses, farmed the land etc.
What was the Emancipation Proclamation, and who was in charge of this?
A document declaring that all slaves were free, issued by President Abraham Lincoln
What is a "swing state"?
A state where either party/candidate could win, and does not lean one way or another in the polls before the election.
What (and who) is Mount Rushmore, and where is it located?
A large sculpture featuring four US Presidents:
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln.
Located in South Dakota
What does the American Dream mean today (how is it different from when it was first introduced in 1931)?
In addition to happiness, economic success, etc.: being able to express oneself freely, have a good health, to live in an inclusive society.