Chapter 6 North America and International Studies

A Brief History of the United States in the World The character of the people, power relationships, place, production, and the past – that is anthropology, politics, geography, economy, and history – define North America. “Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.” George Washington 1796

North America

A Brief History of the United States in the World Louisiana Purchase: Thomas Jefferson War with United Kingdom Western Expansion Civil War: Abraham Lincoln 1898 Spanish American War By 1900 US was the greatest industrial power Panama Canal : Theodore Roosevelt

Mt. Rushmore

A Brief History of the United States in the World US and World War I US and World War II US and Cold War US and Financial Institutions – World Bank – International Monetary Fund – GATT replaced by World trade Organization – US: global economic and political power

US National Interests US: civil and military power Asia: Pivot to Asia, Ally with Japan, cooperation/competition with India and China, Middle East: Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Issues with Iran and Syria, continuing concern in Israel/Palestine Africa: concerns in Somalia, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya Latin America: Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, US less focused on Latin America Europe: America’s partner, issues with Russia

The United States in the World Economy: Too Big to Fail US: World’s largest economy Abundant natural resources Market Orientation: private enterprise Powerful Military: Costs of Iraq and Afghanistan wars Technological innovation, yet poverty continues Debt and recession “Too Big to Fail” Banks and US economy

The American Dream “ 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.” United States Constitution 1789 Meritocracy Politics: – liberalism – Civil republicanism

The American Dream Who is “American”? Role of immigrants Multiculturalism: value differences Global Social progress Values important in contemporary American life – Importance of the individual – All people should have equal opportunities – Merit should be rewarded with material prosperity

Canada and the World “Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies.” John F. Kennedy 1961 Canada – developed economy – Abundant resources – large territory – Political system similar with Europe – Relationship with US

Geography, Trade and the Globalization of North America Globalization of North America Latin American, African, Asian and European foods and culture in North America North American Goods, food, culture diffused to all parts of the world US export partners: Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, UK, Germany Canadian export partners: US, China, UK, Japan, Germany

Los Angeles

Transforming the Environment Environmental Change – Forests and grasslands to croplands – Urbanization Water: significant resource – Colorado River – Great Lakes and Niagara falls Climate Change – Carbon dioxide and the greenhouse effect – Melting of Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets – Coastal inundation: Eastern seaboard

Niagara Falls

North America’s Changing Population Population: Urban, mobile, affluent Immigrants – Previously from Europe and Africa – Now from Latin America and Asia US population – 2010: 79.5% White, 16% Hispanic, 12.9% black, 4.9% Asian, 1.8% multiracial, 1% American Indian – 2070: 47% White, 29% Hispanic, 13% black, 11% asian, 5% multiracial, 1% American Indian

Toronto

North America’s Changing Population Canada 2011 – 20.6% foreign born, Asia and Middle East – Ethnicity: 42 % more than one ethnicity Most common: Canadian, English, French, Scotch, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, First Nation, Ukrainian, East Indian, Dutch, Polish – Visible minorities 19% S. Asia, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, S.E. Asia, W. Asia North America is fully globalized