ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE USA
Standard Grade Modern Studies
Syllabus Area 3: Ideologies - USA
Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson I will be able
to:
• Name the five ethnic groups in the
USA.
• Explain what is meant by the terms
‘melting pot’, ‘salad bowl’ and ‘mosaic’.
What is an ethnic group?
An ethnic group is a group of people who
share:
• Race or colour
• National, religious or cultural origins.
The identity of an ethnic group may be
shown through their customs, lifestyles,
language, dress, food preferences and
political beliefs.
1. WHITES
• Largest ethnic group
in USA. 66 %.
• Migrated from
Europe.
• Settled in all parts
of the USA.
2. NATIVE AMERICANS
• Smallest ethnic
group in USA. 1%.
• Descendents of the
“Original Americans”
who arrived from
Asia thousands of
years ago.
2. NATIVE AMERICANS
continued
• White settlers
destroyed many
of these tribes.
• Over half live in
special areas of
land called
Reservations.
3. BLACKS
• Descendents of the
slaves brought from
Africa to work on
the plantations of
the southern states
of the USA, eg.
Georgia and
Louisiana, during the
slave trade.
3. BLACKS continued
• Over half of blacks
still live in Southern
states.
• 13% US population
Black.
4. ASIAN AND PACIFIC
ISLANDERS
• This ethnic group is made up of
descendents from people who emigrated
from countries such as China, Japan,
Korea, Vietnam and the Pacific Islands
of Fiji and Hawaii.
4. API’s continued
• Some groups
concentrate in ‘little
Chinas’ (‘Chinatown’ =
very famous area of
NYC) or ‘little
Koreas’ in the major
cities where they
add to the rich
diversity of life by
providing ethnic
shops and
restaurants.
• 5% of US population.
5. HISPANICS
• This ethnic group is
made up of people
who speak Spanish.
• Descendents of
people who moved to
the USA from
Spanish speaking
countries such as
Mexico, Columbia,
Cuba and Puerto
Rico.
5. HISPANICS continued
• Largest ethnic
minority group in
USA.
• Make up 15% of the
total US population.
What is an American?
There are different
theories about what
happens to
immigrants once
they settle in the
USA.
1. MELTING POT
MELTING POT
• Think… a bowl of soup starts off with
separate ingredients and then mixes
well together to become the one thing
– you can no longer pick out the
carrots etc. No matter how the
people of the USA start out –
Vietnamese, Cuban, African American
etc – once they have been in the USA
a while they become ‘American’ and
lose their individual identity.
2. SALAD BOWL
SALAD BOWL
• Think about a salad… you get lettuce
tomatoes, cucumber etc and mix them
together in a bowl. However, this
time you can still pick out the
different ingredients. The idea here
is that the different ethnic groups
mix together to create an American
society, but retain their individual
identities and cultures to enrich that
society.
3. MOSAIC
MOSAIC
• A mosaic is a pattern of different
colours. Some pieces are just one colour
and some are a mixture of colours. The
idea is that people in the USA would
have a choice about whether they
wanted to be an ‘American’ or to keep
their own identity.
The USA
• Today I will learn
some basic
information
about the USA
• I will learn about
the differences
between
different states
and different
people in the
USA
Tasks…
• Tasks…
• We will read
through pages 4-5
• Then we will
attempt questions
on page 6
RECAP
Which ethnic groups do the following
people represent? Make a spider diagram.
Add the following information to your
spider diagram
Hispanic 15%
White: 79%
Ethnic groups in the USA
(2009)
Native
Americans 1%
Asian 4.6%
Black 12%
RECAP (2)
Match the correct
heads and tails
from the list below
White Americans are the
largest group in the USA…
Native Americans are
descendants of the original
inhabitants of the USA…
Blacks are sometimes known as
African Americans.
Hispanics are now the second
biggest group in the USA.
Asian Americans come from
many different areas.
…and today there are 2 million
Native Americans.
…Many Black Americans can
trace their ancestors back to
the slave trade.
…They mainly originate from
Europe and include many
different cultures and
religions.
…These include East Asia,
South East Asia and the
Pacific Islands.
…They are made up of three
sub-groups: Mexicans, Puerto
Ricans and Cubans
What am I learning today?
•What is an American?
•Why do people go the USA?
•Push and Pull Factors
There are a number of different views about
what happens to immigrants when hey settle in
the USA.
The Salad Bowl
The Mosaic
Using p.8 of the text book,
take each view and explain
in your own words what
they mean. The first one
has been started for you.
THEORY: The Melting Pot
The Melting pot
VIEW: This view believes
that…
Why go to the USA?
The USA – ‘A
land of
immigrants’
Between 1820 and 1985
over 50 million people
moved to the USA.
WHY?
Activities
Pgs.6+7
1. Copy and complete the table below.
Push Factors
Pull Factors
Push factors are why people leave a
country.
Pull factors are reasons why people are
attracted to a country.
•No jobs or opportunities
•Work and opportunities
2. Explain the term ‘immigration’ and ‘immigrant’
Homework task
Explain, in detail, why many people choose to move to
America (6)
RECAP
Write a definition to describe each of
the two terms below:
PULL
FACTORS
PUSH
FACTORS
Immigration to the USA
•About immigration and the USA
•The immigration debate
THE BASICS
• Immigration is a key
talking point in
America.
• Over 11 million illegal
immigrants.
• Vigilante groups
appearing on the
border. (Minutemen)
• 9/11 has increased the
concerns.
• Many of the complaints
are causing racial
tensions.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
MEXICAN BORDER
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
There are many illegal
immigrants in the USA,
particularly in California
and other border states.
Many Mexicans cross the
border illegally to find
work to feed themselves
and their families.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
There are many illegal
immigrants in the USA,
particularly in California
and other border states.
Many Mexicans cross the
border illegally to find
work to feed themselves
and their families.
Many businessmen employ
immigrants as they are a
good source of cheap
labour.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
There are many illegal
immigrants in the USA,
particularly in California
and other border states.
Many Mexicans cross the
border illegally to find
work to feed themselves
and their families.
Many businessmen employ
immigrants as they are a
good source of cheap
labour.
The illegal immigrants
cross the long border
either on their own or by
being smuggled over by
organised gangs. Many are
caught by they just try
again the next day.
RESPONSES IN THE LAW
Law
Immigration
Reform and
Control Act
Welfare Reform
Law
Year
1986
1996
Describe reform
Granted amnesty to about three
million illegal immigrants, but it also
introduced punishments for
businesses which employed illegal
workers.
Stopped illegal immigrants from
getting social security benefits
until they have lived in the US for
5 years and barred all illegal
immigrants welfare payments.
THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
Immigrants take
jobs that could be
done by Americans
ANTI-IMMIGRATION
ARGUMENTS
Use the arguments on p.11 (Ideology and
Emerging Nations) to complete the spider
diagram.
Arguments FOR immigration
• America is a nation of
immigrants
• The American economy
relies on immigration as a
source of cheap labour
• Immigrants often do the
jobs that Americans don’t
want
• Immigrants pay billions in
taxes just like Americans
• Immigrants add to the
cultural diversity of
America
Describe the arguments
for and against
CONTINUED immigration
into the USA (8)
Video Clips…
• Illegal immigration to USA from Mexico
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/illeg
al-border-crossings-from-mexico-to-theusa/412.html
• Minutemen
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/theminute-men-at-the-us-mexicanborder/413.html
• Hispanic experience of illegal immigration
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/hisp
anic-immigrants-in-the-usa/411.html
WHY DO PEOPLE MIGRATE TO
THE USA?
Standard Grade Modern Studies
Syllabus Area 3: Ideologies - USA
Lesson Starter
• Name the five ethnic groups in the
USA.
• What is the biggest ethnic group in the
USA?
• What is the biggest ethnic minority
group in the USA?
Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson I will be able
to:
• Explain the difference between ‘push’
and ‘pull’ factors.
• Define the terms ‘American Dream’,
‘Capitalism’ and ‘Democracy’.
What is a PUSH FACTOR?
• Reasons as to
why a person
leaves the
country that
they come
from.
What is a PULL FACTOR?
• Reasons as to
why an individual
is attracted to
move to and
establish a new
life in another
country.
Activity
• Construct a table in
your jotter with two
columns.
Push Factors
• In pairs, decide if
each factor is a ‘push’
or ‘pull’ factor.
Pull Factors
Push or Pull?
Wealth
Plenty of land
Poverty
Hunger
Wars
Good education
Religious freedom
No religious
freedom
No land
Jobs
No free speech
No political
freedom
Political freedom
THE AMERICAN DREAM
All the
PULL FACTORS
are often called
the AMERICAN
DREAM.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
• Everyone is born equal
• If you work hard in life and make the
best of the opportunities open to you
then you will be successful and have a
comfortable lifestyle
RESPONSIBILITIES
EQUALITY
DEMOCRACY
AMERICAN DREAM
RIGHTS
FREEDOMS
CAPITALISM
DEMOCRACY
• The USA is a democracy.
• In a democracy, people elect
representatives to make decisions for
them.
• In a democracy, people have many rights
and freedoms. We will learn more about
this later in the unit.
CAPITALISM
• The USA is a Capitalist country. Capitalism is an
ideology which describes the way a country
organises its economic activity.
• In a capitalist country individuals own
businesses. These businesses compete with each
other. Successful businesses make profits. It is
individuals and not the government that owns
businesses.
• Under capitalism, people can set up their own
companies. They can invest their money,
talents, abilities and their hard work and if they
are successful they will achieve the American
Dream.
USA Definitions Homework
• What is the difference between ‘push’
and ‘pull’ factors?
• In your words, explain what is meant
by each of the following terms:
American Dream
Democracy
Capitalism
ACTIVITY
• In pairs, copy and
complete the
following table.
• Guess what product
each company
produces.
US based Multinational
companies
COMPANY
PRODUCT
COMPANY
Microsoft
Levi
Strauss
Nike
Boeing
ColgatePalmolive
Kodak
Ben &
Jerry’s
Heinz
Xerox
Coca-Cola
Ford
Motorola
MAC
Gap
PRODUCT
American Dream Group Task
• Your teacher will give you a sheet of
flipchart paper and coloured pens.
• Brainstorming – think and write down as
many examples as you can of people who
have achieved the American Dream. For
each person, state what ethnic group they
belong to and why they are famous.
• You have 10 minutes to complete this task.
American Dream Homework
• Write a report (at least one page)
explaining what the American Dream
is and give detailed information on
someone you know who has achieved
the American Dream. (eg. Bill Gates,
Justin Timberlake, George Clooney)
Why have many people started up
their own business in America?
• People want to become rich by working hard
and making a success of their business. Many
people want to achieve the American Dream.
Inspired by people like Bill Gates.
• America is a capitalist country. Free to set up
own business. Can make profits and in turn
become wealthy.
• Taxes are low in America. People can keep
most of the profit they make.
• The USA is one of the richest countries in
the world. Many people have a good income
that enables them to buy goods and services
from a variety of businesses.
Timed Question
• Give two reasons why many American
people have started up their own
businesses. (4 marks)
Model Answer
• One reason many people have set up their own
businesses in America is that America is a capitalist
country. 1 mark This means that the people own
businesses and not the government. People are free
to make a profit from their business. 2 marks For
example, Bill Gates is a successful entrepreneur who
has made huge profits from his company Microsoft. 3
marks
You can get up to 3 marks for a point by explaining it
fully and giving an example – Remember to PEE!!!
Another reason is that taxes are low in America. 4
marks Tax is money paid to the government. People
are encouraged to set up their business as they will
get to keep a lot of the money they make. 5 marks
USA Homework
• Describe, in detail, the reasons why
many people have migrated to the USA.
(8 marks)
Think about:
- Push Factors
- Pull Factors
- American Dream
- Capitalism
Arguments for Immigration 1
• In some states, especially those of the South West and
Texas, immigrants form the basis of the unskilled workforce.
They are non-unionised and work in the service industries,
eg. catering, on farms as fruit and vegetable pickers and as
domestic servants. Local politicians and businesses do not
want the federal authorities to interfere with this abundant
supply of cheap labour (mostly provided by illegal
immigrants). Many of these workers are industrious and
reliable – they have no choice because they will not receive
any benefits if they are unemployed.
• A substantial proportion of the highest achievers in the
education system are the children of Asian-Americans. They
are entering the universities of the Southern states and
California in bigger numbers than white Americans. They will
make a very valuable contribution to US society.
Arguments for Immigration 2
• There have always been ‘hyphenated – Americans’ – eg.
Irish-Americans, Scottish Americans and Italian-Americans.
Such groups still celebrate their cultural origins (there are
more Highland Games in America in 1 year than there are in
a decade in Scotland!). So – what is wrong with MexicanAmerican, for example, working hard at being American in
their education and jobs, but celebrating their culture in
their own homes? Many people see this as a wonderful,
colourful patchwork quilt! It adds to the richness of
American society. (Those who have visited America will also
praise the wonderful variety of restaurants this creates!)
• It has also been argued that it is the ethnic makeup of the
USA and the variety of cultures that exist, which has caused
racial tensions in the country - not immigration.
• Furthermore, the social and economic problems experienced
by ethnic minorities have also produced tensions – not
immigration.
Arguments Against Immigration 1
•
•
•
•
•
Since the 1970s, a large proportion of immigrants are less educated
and unskilled. They are seen by many politicians (especially in the
Republican Party) and by many people (especially white Americans)
as a drain on the economy.
Political refugees (eg. from Vietnam, China, Korea, Central and
South America) arrive with very little money and few skills to
offer. They are seen as a drain on the health, welfare and
education systems.
Illegal immigrants do not qualify for any kind of assistance – BUT
their children born in America do. Again, this can be a financial
burden.
There is a build-up of tension and antagonism in areas with
different ethnic groups. This tension can easily erupt into violence
and even riot.
There are fears that the “refusal” of immigrants to become wholly
American will lead to the disintegration of the United States –
whose motto is “e pluribus unum” – which means “out of many –
one”. These new Americans retain their language and culture. They
are not true Americans, say the critics.