1. Section 2 - The United States: A Nation of Immigrants
Chapter 8
Section 2 -
The United States: A Nation of Immigrants

2. The People of the United States
1790 we were a nation of 4 million, today we are about 327 million strong!
We are more diverse now than ever before, but we in America share common attitudes and traditions
The first people to settle in North America are thought to be Native Americans who came from Asia across the Bering Strait
Europeans followed much later and conflict between the two groups followed
Hundreds of treaties were created between Native Americans and the U.S. government in the 1800’s in which Native Americans were promised protection and compensation
Most treaties failed and the U.S. government took the side of white settlers in most cases
Because of this 1000’s of battles occurred from

3. The People of the United States Cont.
A movement of the 1960’s called AIM (American Indian Movement) worked for better living conditions and equal rights
From this the American government passed reforms that gave Native Americans money and land to try to make up for past treatments
Immigration to the United States came mostly in two waves
First wave from 1830’s to 1890’s where most immigrants were Protestant and form Western and Northern Europe, meaning they were very much like the people that were already here
The second wave from 1880 to the 1920’s brought people from Asia, Latin American, but mostly Eastern and Southern Europe, and they were very different from the people already in America (different dress, foods, religion, traditions, language, etc…)
Immigrants today mostly come from Asia and Latin America and help to make us a very diverse nation NW SE

4. Group Up!
Contrast the differences within your group of the people who were immigrating to America in the 1800’s and early 1900’s with the immigrants that are coming to America today. How are they different? What might be the same? Do you know anyone who has immigrated or has a family member who has immigrated to our country in the last 10 years?

5. United States Culture
A unique American literature came about in the 1800’s with themes about nature & politics. One such famous author was Ralph Waldo Emerson.
In the 1900’s literature became much more diverse with themes having Irish, African-American, or Native American flavor. One example of a famous African-American author during this time period would be Zora Neale Hurston.

6. United States Culture Cont.
Popular music of America includes country, rap, rock reggae, and jazz which is considered a truly American creation during the 1920’s with popular artists like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
Rock-and roll, which began in the 1950’s, is one of the most popular music styles of the world today and has its roots partly in America as well
Sports have been an important part of America’s culture since Native Americans played lacrosse
Today Americans are very interested in playing and watching sports like baseball, football, and basketball
The game of baseball has even spread beyond America in popularity to places like Russia, Mexico, Japan, the Caribbean, and Central America