'Murica
A term that describes how the US is built by immigrants and has throughout its history as a nation had all kinds of different cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities come together from all over the world to create a uniquely “American” culture.
"Melting pot"
Predestination (i.e. having been chosen by God for a particular path or purpose in life), an all-knowing and powerful God, and the coming apocalypse. This belief of being God’s chosen people in many ways became the bedrock of American self-perception.
The Puritan beliefs
Famous quote from the American Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The gender pay gap in America (numbers from 2010). This is how much women earn per every dollar earned by men.
77 cents on the dollar
The biggest ingredient in the American Dream, which can be boiled down to: “If you can dream it, you can do it”.
Optimism
Immigrant expectations
Freedom, democracy, room for new ideas, new opportunities, individuality, a better future.
About 500,000-750,000 people were brought to North America from Africa against their will. In the 18th century, they outnumbered European immigrants in the US, while still in captivity.
Slaves
The idealized view of westward expansion within North America. The exploration of the western parts of America was known as the “frontier”, meaning a border area that needed to be tamed, civilized, by God’s chosen people. People brave enough to venture into the vast unknown areas of the frontier were motivated by optimism, curiosity, and the hope of creating a better future for themselves and their families.
The American Frontier
The inequality of available opportunities in terms of economy, education, political influence, real estate etc. that is due to race.
Racial inequality
Three modern historical events that have made Americans more fearful.
The Great Depression, World War II (the first war that the US entered outside its own borders), and 9/11
The first British settlement in North America, and the beginnings of the US.
Jamestown, 1607
1815-1865. 7.5 million people. Large numbers of Irish people due to the Great Famine, and also from Germany.
1870s-1920s. Approx. 26 million people. Primarily from Italy, Russia, Poland, and Austra, due to poverty, unemployment, and religious persecution.
From 1965 on. Approx. 59 million people. Mostly from Central America, India, and China.
Three major waves of immigrants
The narrative of the American Frontier and westward expansion is used as a symbol in how the Americans understand their own national identity: A willingness to start over, brave the dangers of the unknown, and build your own wealth.
Three central values that constitute American identity.
Idealism, autonomy, and mobility
JOKER: What is the name of The United States’ national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
What was the name of the Puritans’ ship that they sailed to North America in?
The Mayflower
What five countries formed colonies that would later become part of the United States territory?
England, France, the Netherlands, Russia and Spain.
JOKER: These three are famous actors. Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey. Who of them is not originally from the USA?
Trick question: They’re all from Canada
Three specific values under the umbrella of the larger value of “Idealism” in American identity
1. Exploration, progress, and dreams
2. Immigration
3. Religious freedom (but mostly Christianity)
This is how many Americans still believe in a united American nation.
84%
Reasons for leaving Europe for the US in the 1600s
Little opportunity for social mobility (strict social classes), terrible working conditions, religious persecution.
About 25,000 Chinese are said to have arrived in the US in the mid-1800s due to the discovery of large amounts of gold in the ground. They, like many others, saw the West Coast as an opportunity for economic prosperity. The native-born Americans perceived this arrival as a threat.
California gold rush
A document detailing the rights of the American people.
The Bill of Rights
Four specific values under the umbrella of the larger value of “Autonomy” in American identity
Individualism
Self-reliance
Do-it-yourself spirit
Volunteering
Small island in the port of New York City where an immigration station was established to register and interview immigrants arriving by ship from Europe. The government began fearing the large number of immigrants would include “lazy, undesirable people”, and implemented restrictions on immigration.
Ellis Island