United States of America A Cultural Melting Pot

Population Patterns Among most diverse in world Immigration 314 million people today 1st people migrated from Asia 20,000 years ago Native Americans 2.5 million today

Why the United States? Political and Religious Freedoms Better economic opportunities Flee wars or natural disasters Rich in natural resources Rapid economical / industrial growth Today most come: seeking educational and career opportunities refuge from difficult political situations

Density and Distribution 314 million people 87 people per square mile

Density and Distribution Outside of large urban areas population is widely distributed Northeast and Great Lakes Densely populated Historical centers of American commerce/industry Pacific coast Mild climate and economic opportunities Alaska, Great Basin, and Great Plains Least densely populated American South and Southwest (Sunbelt) Fastest growing Manufacturing, service, and tourism industries

Density and Distribution 78% White 16.7% Hispanic or Latino 13.1% Black 5% Asian 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 2.3% Reported 2 or more races

Urban Areas Urbanization – moving from rural to cities Mechanized agriculture Industry / other jobs Most of US citizens live in cities Metropolitan area – city with 50,000+ and suburbs Megalopolis Boswash megalopolis World trade, strong economy, and Atlantic coast Can support large populations

Early America Thousands of years ago, nomads… Crossed land bridge from Asia to Alaska Central and South America Native American lives shaped by location and climate Southwest used irrigation to farm dry desert areas Spanish set up farms, cattle ranches, military posts, and missions in south French were involved in fur trade in Northeast 1700’s - Britain gained control of Atlantic Coast

American Colonies Developing New England Colonies Rocky soil and short growing season Harbors, timber, and fish were abundant Led to shipbuilding, fishing, and trade Middle Colonies Fertile soil, mild winders, and warm summers Cash crops for exports Southern Colonies Mild climate, rich soil, and open land Plantation agriculture

Early Conflict 1763 France forced to give Britain most of empire Native Americans and colonial settlers soon conflicted Destroyed much of Native American culture British government imposed taxes on colonists and limited freedoms 13 colonies fought (American Revolution) 1783 United States of America

U.S. Government Federal Republic National government shares powers with states Constitution created strong national government 3 separate but equal branches Executive (President, Vice, and Administrative) Carries out law Legislative (Congress) Enacts law Judicial (Supreme and Federal Courts) Interprets law Preserves the rights of citizens through… Amendments – changes to Constitution to meet country’s changing needs Bill of Rights (first 10) guarantee basic rights

Growth, Division, and Unity (page 157) 1800’s U.S. more than doubled in size Valuable land and natural resources Native Americans lost lands and restrictions on traditional ways of life North: 1800’s industrialization 1st factories along fall line Power for machines Later coal from mid-west powered steam engines Steam power cheap and manufacturing profitable Midwest leading center of industry

Growth, Division, and Unity South Cotton was major cash crop Land cleared for more plantations Slave labor (African Americans) ever important Underground railroad Tensions between North and South Industry versus agriculture Civil War in 1861 Slavery abolished: African Americans given citizenship, equal protection, and the right to vote

Technological Change Late 1800’s, the U.S. government encouraged settlement of Great Plains Ease overcrowding in Northeast More food for cities Dry farming developed Chinese, Mexican, Irish, and other immigrants Built railroads (transcontinental lines) Manufactured goods and food products exchanged 1900’s included 2 world wars U.S. economic growth spurred Assembly lines Cut time to make products Improved standard of living Population became more urban and more mobile

Technological Change 1990’s Many manufacturing activities became less important Rising high tech industries Immigration for Latin America and Asia increased Minority groups participate in politics and business Native Americans negotiated with government over land

Language The United States does not have an official language English is most common (82%) Spanish is 2nd most widely spoken (10.7%) Bilingual

Religion Most people that practice organized religion are Christians. Other major religions present Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism

Education and Health Care Education is built on network of public and private schools Government provides free compulsory education Required until 16 Literacy Rate 99% Advanced health care is available throughout Highly developed country with substantial resources Many unable to buy even with insurance Government provided health care is under debate Obesity (34%)

Modern Challenges War on Terrorism 2001 Afghanistan (Taliban leader Osama bin Laden) 2003 Iraq (weapons of mass destruction) New government 2006 Iran and North Korea… Syrian Civil War… Sudan… National Debt Recession Illegal Immigration

Oil Consumption by Country RANK COUNTRY (BBL/DAY) DATE OF INFORMATION 1 United States 19,150,000 2010 est. 2 European Union 13,680,000 3 China 9,400,000 2011 est. 4 Japan 4,452,000 5 India 3,182,000 6 Saudi Arabia 2,643,000 7 Germany 2,495,000 8 Canada 2,209,000 9 Russia 2,199,000 2010 10 Korea, South 2,195,000 Oil Consumption by Country

Oil Exports by Country Rank Country Oil - exports (bbl/day) 1 Saudi Arabia 8,728,000 2 Russia 5,430,000 3 United Arab Emirates 2,700,000 4 Iran 2,400,000 5 Kuwait 2,349,000 6 Nigeria 2,327,000 7 Venezuela 2,182,000 8 Norway 2,150,000 9 Canada 2,001,000 10 Iraq 1,910,000 11 Algeria 1,891,000 12 United States 1,704,000 Oil Exports by Country

Modern Challenges Jobs taken Overseas What jobs are leaving the United States? Why do American companies relocate? What can government do? What can YOU do?

White Collar Jobs going Overseas 500,000 white-collar American jobs to the Philippines, Malaysia and China. Russia and Eastern Europe are expected to be next. India has most US jobs to date: Reservation agents are booking flights for Delta Indian accountants are preparing tax returns for Ernst & Young Indian software engineers are developing new products for Oracle. Fraction of the cost these companies would pay American workers. American computer programmers earn about $60,000 Indian programmers only make $6,000.