1. Introduction to American Society http://edu.hioa.no/int-engelsk/ «The Country and the People» by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness 17 August 2015

4. Visions of the U.S.A. 1.Bruce Springsteen ”Born in the U.S.A.” (1984) Disillusionment, declining older industries, no jobs, social problems, pessimism

5. Visions of the U.S.A. 2. Ronald Reagan (1980-88) ”This great nation” – pride in the U.S.A. restored after the Vietnam war Optimism, patriotism (including the U.S.A.’s special mission and ability to set a good example for the rest of the world), opportunities

6. The Country and the People: Diversity Size, geography: immense variety of landscape and climate The population: ethnic and racial diversity Still many common traits, attitudes, values Contradictory values?

7. The Country: Main Regions in the U.S.A. 1. The Northeast Two major parts: New England and the Middle Atlantic States Historical importance Cultural centre – higher education and research

8. The Northeast Innovative business methods / high-tech production (vs. decline in heavy industries) Urban, densely populated area – social problems Concentration of enormous economic power – Wall Street

9. 2. The South Slavery and the Civil War (1861-1865) Fertile region – the old plantations (lowland/coastal plains) Since 1950 a populous and dynamic region - industrialization

10. The South Tourism - the "sun belt” Immigration from Spanish-speaking countries and Asia Texas – oil and gas

11. 3. The Midwest Two major parts: urban vs. rural A. The Great Lakes area: industry, e.g. car industry (”the rust bowl”) B. The Central Basin: the prairie states and the great plains (”the dust bowl”)

12. The Midwest The no. 1 agricultural region of the nation (corn, wheat, soybeans) Vast open spaces, fierce climate Also the second largest urban area in the nation. Chicago as the region’s major city and cultural centre

13. 4. The West Three major parts: the Mountain States (the Rockies), the Southwest, the Northwest Cattle and sheep ranching Farming (deserts transformed into farmlands), vineyards, fisheries, forestry Mining and petroleum industries, uranium deposits – atomic and space research

14. The West High-technology industries + prestigious universities Tourism, gambling and entertainment industries Largest Chinese population outside China Large-scale immigration from Mexico Alaska became the 49th and Hawaii the 50th state of the USA in 1959. Geographical extremes. Hawaii’s population is 45 % Asian.

15. The People Is it possible to generalize about Americans? The U.S.A. is a multi-cultural and multi-racial society, consisting of five major groups of people (and numerous minor groups). Americans of European origin are still the dominant group (around 70% of the population of approximately 320 million people).

16. The major groups of people in the USA 1. Whites: approximately 200 million 2. Hispanics (Latinos): approx. 55 million (49 m of these are categorized as white) 3. African Americans: approx. 40 million 4. Asians: approx. 17 million 5. Native Americans (American Indians): 3 m These figures are based on the 2014 Population Estimates by the US Census Bureau.

17. Changing racial and ethnic diversity Hispanics, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans are the largest minorities/ ethnic groups. Native Americans = First Americans… Tribes, reservations, government policy Their situation today

18. African Americans Until very recently the largest minority group in the USA Two important decades in black history - a hundred years apart: the 1860s and the 1960s. The 1860s: The 1960s: Their situation today

19. The Country and the People: Unity Aspects that clearly make the U.S.A. one nation: The English language Common ideals, symbols, history: ”The American Dream” (e.g. freedom, equality of opportunity), the Constitution, the flag The political union: the federal government, the President

20. The Country and the People: Unity Aspects that clearly make the U.S.A. one nation: A single economic unit US education / schools Mass media A large degree of mobility