Name:
Date:
Core:
World Geography
Mental Warm-Up:
The Role of Diversity in American Culture
Part I. Quick Review…
1. What does the word “diversity” mean? ______________________________________________
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2. In what ways is the United States culturally diverse? ___________________________________
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3. What is the official language of the United States? ____________________________________
4. Why did our government make this decision regarding the nation’s official language? ______
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5. What is “xenophobia?” ___________________________________________________________
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Part II. A Brief History Lesson….
The Latin phrase “e pluribus unum” is one you may have seen before. The phrase
can be found on all United States currency (see the image to the right). The phrase
means…”Out of many, one.”
Quick Reflection…
How does the phrase “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one) relate to the history and culture of the
United States? ________________________________________________________________________
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In 1776 when the Founding Fathers were creating the national seal, Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, a
colonist who immigrated to the United States from Geneva, Switzerland, suggested that the Latin
phrase, e pluribus unum, be included in the national seal. The founding fathers believed that the
phrase represented the ideals and beliefs of the new country that they were forming. They agreed to
include “e pluribus unum” as a part of the official seal of the United
States of America (see image to the left). The expression also appears
on the seal of the President and in the seals of the Vice President of the
United States, of the United States Congress, of the United States
House of Representatives, of the United States Senate and on the seal
of the Supreme Court.
There are many ways to interpret the meaning of the patriotic
expression “e pluribus unum.” Some historians believe that the
Founding Fathers adopted the expression to show the British that,
although they lived in thirteen independent states (“out of many/e
pluribus”) they were united as one nation (one/unum). In more
recent times, some historians have come to attribute additional meaning to the expression “e pluribus
unum.” The population of the United States has become increasingly diverse. There are many
different races, religions, and ethnicities represented amongst the American people. Although
different in many different ways (e pluribus/out of many), the diversity citizenry share one common
characteristic, they are all Americans (one/unum).
Final Reflection…
Based on the questions you have answered and the brief history that you have read, do you think
diversity is an important American value? Explain using evidence from today’s mental warm-up.
I think that diversity __________ (is or is not) an important American value because: _____________
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