1. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Section Reading Support Transparency
Section Outline
I. The American Identity
II. European Americans
III. Hispanic Americans
IV. African Americans
V. Asian Americans
VI. Native Americans
VII. Our Population Today
1 of 10

2. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Main Idea
Key Terms
Americans are part of a mosaic in which each piece is an essential part of American society.
Immigrant
Discrimination
Racism
Exclusion law
Census
2 of 10

3. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
The American Identity
Go Online: Immigration to the United States,
Immigrants
People who move from their homes in one country to make their homes in another
A Melting Pot?
It is inaccurate to say that America is a melting pot because Americans have not melted together to form one single identity.
The American Mosaic
A mosaic is made up of many different tiles.
Americans are very diverse, like tiles in a mosaic.
3 of 10

4. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
European Americans
The First Immigrants
The first Europeans came to America from England, Ireland, and Scotland in the 1600s and 1700s.
Other Europeans
Many settlers came to America from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
Between 1830 and 1920, large numbers of Germans, Slavs, Russians, Irish, Italians, and Greeks immigrated to America.
4 of 10

5. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Hispanic Americans
Hispanics
As America expanded in the 1800s, it added former Spanish colonies such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Latino Culture
Latino immigrants today come from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Latino culture is influencing many aspects of American society.
5 of 10

6. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
African Americans
Enslavement
Many ancestors of African Americans did not come to America voluntarily; they were forced into slavery.
Discrimination
The unfair treatment of a group of people compared with another group
Struggle for Equality
African Americans have fought hard to obtain equal rights in America.
Racism: the belief that members of one’s own race are superior to those of other races
6 of 10

7. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Asian Americans
The First Asian Immigrants
Many young men from southeastern China came to America during the 1849 gold rush in California.
Many Japanese farmers and businessmen also prospered in America.
Exclusion Laws of 1882 and 1907
Laws prohibiting further immigration to the United States from China or Japan
7 of 10

8. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Native Americans
The Original Inhabitants
Native Americans were living in America thousands of years before the Europeans began arriving.
European Settlement
Despite their best efforts, Native Americans were gradually pushed west by the European settlers.
Living in Modern America
The Native American population continues to adapt to the changing face of America today.
8 of 10

9. A Portrait of Americans
Section 2: America: A Cultural Mosaic
Our Population Today
Census
A population survey that is taken every ten years.
The 2000 Census and Diversity
The nonwhite population increased from 20 percent in 1990 to 25 percent in 2000.
The Hispanic population increased from 9 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2000.
This is evidence that America is becoming increasingly diverse.
9 of 10

10. A Portrait of Americans: Section 2
Section Reading Support Transparency
10 of 10