NY: The Empire State

Why is New York called the Empire State? Ch 2 Review: An Empire is a political unit which controls previously independent peoples under a centralized government. NY is NOT an Empire (based on the definition). SO why the name?

New York History Why is New York The Empire State? According to historian Alexander Flick, in his History of New York State, The Empire State title was used as early as 1819, coinciding with New York surpassing Virginia in population and the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Flick’s reason was “New York is well called the Empire State … not only because of the vastness of its resources, but because it so conspicuously illustrates [obviously shows] the imperial power of law-abiding liberty among the people [as evidenced by its economic prosperity].

New York History facts In 1940 New York led the country with 47 members in Congress – NY was #1 with over 10% of the total representatives! How many total members in congress? In 1931 The Empire state Building was completed and with its 102-stories was the world’s tallest building for 40 years!

New York exodus In 2017 New York has just 27 members in Congress. Since 1960 7.3 Million New Yorkers have left New York permanently to live elsewhere! SO WHY?

BRAINSTORM Why are so many people leaving the state of New York?

Reasons to go (to flee) Politics – Dark Blue? Harsh Laws? High Taxes? Poor Economy? Job Opportunities? The Weather?

Will YOU Flee? Think about this: If you had to leave Perry in 2 hours, forever, what would you take with you? Where would you go?

I. Migration – Stay or Flee Why do people migrate? What are the consequences?

What is Migration? Migration is the relatively permanent movement of a people from one region to another.

A. Why do people Migrate? People Migrate for many reasons: 1. The Push: Conditions in the “old home” went bad. “Push” Causes:  environmental hardships like draught, flood, lack of resources – food shortage – famine. Poor economy (no jobs – little opportunity) Politics (oppressive rulers – lack of freedom) or due to Invaders (war).

2. The Pull (the grass is greener over there!) The Pull describes why someone might be attracted to “move in” to a new area: Example:  there is “hope” in a new land with new opportunities, safety, better environment, more resources, security/protection, stability. (the opposites of what you are fleeing)

II. Whenever faced with a life altering decision – weigh your options (the +’s & –’s) What are the possible consequences for staying? What are the possible consequences for fleeing? Thinking about the consequences of making a BIG Decision is KEY to making life for you and your family better (it won’t ever be perfect).

If you STAY… what are the Advantages? Protection / part of an EMPIRE & an Empire = POWER Still “your” land & “your” home. Cultural Diffusion – invaders may bring new tech/inventions/ideas that may benefit your life. New Opportunities: Jobs – The Military - Now you can give your life for the Empire!

If you Stay … What are the Disadvantages? High Taxes (power & protection comes at a price). YOU may have no power to make the rules! You may lose your culture & values, may be forced to change religions, worship the invaders deity (god) & follow their rules. Your now a MINORITY & may be treated unfairly, seen as inferior by a prejudiced society (you LOST the war), you may be enslaved, persecuted, killed!

If you FLEE… What are the advantages? Hold onto your culture/beliefs/gods Stay free / stay alive – live to fight another day – you gain time to prepare – gather allies. Cultural Diffusion – encounter new people/ideas. Change may be good (opportunity).

If you FLEE… What are the Disadvantages? New home may have its own challenges to keeping your culture. Going into the unknown – an unknown land, people speak a different language – could be friendly/hostile. Lose all that you have worked your life to achieve. Homeless/refugee – you are at the mercy of someone else’s kindness.

C. How are we in the US a product of both Fleeing & Staying?

We are a product of STAYING B/C: U.S. citizens have certain guaranteed rights, like religion, speech, fair trial. U.S. Citizens enjoy the protection of the U.S. Constitution. (limits government power) The Declaration of INDEPENDENCE - LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS! FREEDOM isn’t free! To be Free = Responsibility ex: All volunteer Military. OPPORTUNITIES exist here that don’t elsewhere. (people are free to go but stay! We don’t have an exodus problem – just hew York does!)

We are a product of FLEEING B/C: Immigrants from all over the world still flee to this country! (Pop of US = 325.7 million as of 2017!) REMEMBER - We have an immigration problem BECAUSE WE ARE A GREAT COUNTY! Almost all Americans are descendants from someone who was seeking a better life (freedom) or more opportunity!

What is a Refugee? A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.