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Questions and Answers
What does the concept of the American Dream emphasize regarding the transformation of an individual?
What does the concept of the American Dream emphasize regarding the transformation of an individual?
Which of the following best describes the promise of America as mentioned in the content?
Which of the following best describes the promise of America as mentioned in the content?
What role does land ownership play in the vision of the American Dream?
What role does land ownership play in the vision of the American Dream?
How is the idea of a 'freeman' characterized in the context of American society?
How is the idea of a 'freeman' characterized in the context of American society?
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What is indicated by the phrase 'the avenues of trade are infinite' in relation to America?
What is indicated by the phrase 'the avenues of trade are infinite' in relation to America?
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Which colony was established as a haven for Catholics?
Which colony was established as a haven for Catholics?
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What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of Jamestown?
What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of Jamestown?
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Which religious group founded Pennsylvania?
Which religious group founded Pennsylvania?
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What term is used to denote the idea of 'out of many, one'?
What term is used to denote the idea of 'out of many, one'?
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What was a main feature of the Massachusetts Bay colony established by Puritans?
What was a main feature of the Massachusetts Bay colony established by Puritans?
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What was the significance of 1619 in the context of colonial labor?
What was the significance of 1619 in the context of colonial labor?
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Which colony was characterized by the fur trade and settled by the Dutch?
Which colony was characterized by the fur trade and settled by the Dutch?
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What philosophy did Quakers believe in regarding every individual?
What philosophy did Quakers believe in regarding every individual?
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What does the term 'nativism' refer to in the context of national identity?
What does the term 'nativism' refer to in the context of national identity?
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Which metaphor represents pluralism and multiculturalism?
Which metaphor represents pluralism and multiculturalism?
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Which principle is associated with the belief that all individuals are entitled to freedoms protected by the Constitution?
Which principle is associated with the belief that all individuals are entitled to freedoms protected by the Constitution?
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What criticism is often leveled against affirmative action policies?
What criticism is often leveled against affirmative action policies?
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What do Americans typically associate with the idea of the 'Frontier'?
What do Americans typically associate with the idea of the 'Frontier'?
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What is a key tenet of individualism in American beliefs?
What is a key tenet of individualism in American beliefs?
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What does the phrase 'e pluribus unum' signify?
What does the phrase 'e pluribus unum' signify?
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In what way do Republicans generally differ from Democrats regarding government roles?
In what way do Republicans generally differ from Democrats regarding government roles?
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Which concept refers to opportunities in America not being restricted by one's background?
Which concept refers to opportunities in America not being restricted by one's background?
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What does the term 'big business' typically evoke concerns about?
What does the term 'big business' typically evoke concerns about?
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What does Madison Grant believe about the mixing of races?
What does Madison Grant believe about the mixing of races?
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Which of the following statements represents Grant's view on heredity?
Which of the following statements represents Grant's view on heredity?
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What metaphor does Grant use to describe the concept of races?
What metaphor does Grant use to describe the concept of races?
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What outcome does Grant predict from interacting with these 'inferior' races?
What outcome does Grant predict from interacting with these 'inferior' races?
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How did Grant view anti-miscegenation laws?
How did Grant view anti-miscegenation laws?
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What was a common issue faced by Koreans and blacks in South Central LA according to the content?
What was a common issue faced by Koreans and blacks in South Central LA according to the content?
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What belief did Grant hold regarding individuals who assimilated into American culture?
What belief did Grant hold regarding individuals who assimilated into American culture?
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What phenomenon did Grant suggest could be seen in the Mexican population?
What phenomenon did Grant suggest could be seen in the Mexican population?
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What cultural trait is emphasized as a significant part of the American identity due to the frontier experience?
What cultural trait is emphasized as a significant part of the American identity due to the frontier experience?
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Which Native American group is known for its maize culture?
Which Native American group is known for its maize culture?
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What role did horses play in the Great Plains cultures?
What role did horses play in the Great Plains cultures?
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What defines the concept of meritocracy in the context of American society?
What defines the concept of meritocracy in the context of American society?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the frontier experience?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the frontier experience?
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What was a significant result of the rivalry between the North and South in the United States?
What was a significant result of the rivalry between the North and South in the United States?
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Which aspect of American culture was influenced by the mobility of the population?
Which aspect of American culture was influenced by the mobility of the population?
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What is a notable feature of the Great Plains Native American culture?
What is a notable feature of the Great Plains Native American culture?
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Which American literary work is celebrated for its focus on individuality and nature?
Which American literary work is celebrated for its focus on individuality and nature?
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What was an important economic activity for the California-Intermountain Native Americans?
What was an important economic activity for the California-Intermountain Native Americans?
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Which statement accurately describes the Inuit groups?
Which statement accurately describes the Inuit groups?
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Which cultural artifact is identified as a starting point for American innovation?
Which cultural artifact is identified as a starting point for American innovation?
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Which characteristic was shared by the nomadic cultures of the Great Plains?
Which characteristic was shared by the nomadic cultures of the Great Plains?
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What type of buildings did the Pueblo-dwelling people commonly construct?
What type of buildings did the Pueblo-dwelling people commonly construct?
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Study Notes
National Identity
- Nativism is discrimination toward others by the existing population, promoting or protecting the interests of native-born or indigenous people over those of immigrants
- Melting pot symbolizes assimilation, where different races merge into one nation
- Assimilation is the blending of communities into a nation and the integration of their cultures
- E pluribus unum translates to "out of many, one" which represents the idea of many people forming one nation
- Americanization involves assimilating into American culture
- Salad bowl, pizza, and mosaic are metaphors for pluralism and multiculturalism. They highlight the coexistence of diverse cultures without complete assimilation
- The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s emphasized the need for acknowledging and respecting different identities
- Xenophobia refers to the fear and hatred of foreigners or their culture and politics
- Affirmative action aims to prohibit discrimination in areas like housing and employment, encouraging employers to hire women, minorities, and disadvantaged groups
- Affirmative actions are criticized as reverse discrimination
- The Constitution guarantees religious freedom and freedom of faith
Political Approaches
- Republican ideology emphasizes self-reliance, individual responsibility, limited government intervention, lower taxation, and a more conservative approach.
- Democrat ideology supports government intervention to fulfill basic needs, higher taxation in exchange for better public services, and a more tolerant stance.
Individualism & Free Enterprise System
- Individualism emphasizes personal responsibility and opportunity, suggesting that one can achieve success through hard work and individual effort, regardless of background
- The free enterprise system governs production, distribution, and competition, promoting the independent pursuit of opportunities
- The belief in "survival of the fittest" (Darwin's theory) is often invoked to justify the individualistic approach
Big Business & Captains of Industry
- Big business is viewed with skepticism as a potential source of unchecked power and tyranny, while small businesses are supported
- Industrial capitalism rise with the factory system and the emergence of a working class
- Captains of industry are praised for their role in nation-building and supporting industrial capitalism and the working class
Cultural Activities
- High culture refers to activities accessible to those with means, training, and education.
- Low culture encompasses activities accessible to those without resources, training, or higher economic standing
- Cultural access is often influenced by social, economic, and educational factors
American Beliefs & Values
- The American Dream emphasizes the possibility of achieving prosperity and success through hard work and opportunity
- Key principles include equality, freedom, and access to opportunities
- The American Dream is often associated with the potential for societal advancement and upward mobility not available in Europe
Frontier
- The American frontier is defined as the advancing border of European settlement, expanding from the east coast to the west (17th-19th centuries)
- The frontier signifies abundant cheap land, attracting pioneers seeking independence and challenging lifestyles
- Settlers saw it as a land of opportunity, a place to secure a future for their descendants
- The frontier is also linked to the "go and get it" mentality
- It fostered the belief in American exceptionalism: the idea of a chosen and exceptional people
- The frontier also represented a new challenge, a new world to conquer and transform
- The American Dream was a product of the frontier: a haven for the oppressed, a land of hope, and a place to leave behind the restrictions of the Old World
- The frontier emphasized hard work, self-sufficiency, and resilience
- The frontier played a major role in shaping American identity, values, and culture – specifically, innovation, enterprise, westward movement, and restlessness
- The end of the frontier in 1893 marked a turning point in American history
American Identity:
- Materialism, intellect, and values are important elements of American identity
- The Manhattan Skyline, skyscrapers, Jazz, the Constitution, the Model-T Ford, and the Gridiron town plan all represent aspects of American progress and innovation
- Mark Twain’s writing highlights the complex relationship between black and white, while Whitman's poetry celebrates individualism within society and nature, as well as American identity
- Comic strips offer self-mocking humor while simultaneously affirming American exceptionalism
- Soap Operas are pop culture entertainment
Native American Cultural Regions
- Native Americans inhabited diverse regions with distinct languages, customs, and social structures
- Estimated 10 million Native Americans lived in North America before European arrival
- Woodland eastern: Maize culture, wooden housing, hunting, gathering, and farming. Iroquois, Huron, Mohican, Delaware, Shawnee, Powhatan, Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, and Natchez tribes resided in this region.
- Great Plains: Buffalo hunting, warrior hunting class, nomadic culture, use of horses, and portable tipis (Blackfoot, Crow, Cheyenne, and Dakota tribes).
- Southwest: Irrigated agriculture, adobe (clay brick) buildings called "pueblos" (Hoco, Zuni, Acoma people). The Navajo and Apache tribes adopted farming practices from the pueblo dwelling people, practicing sheep raising, peach growing, and silver working.
- California-Intermountain: Barren territory, fishing for salmon and whaling, slavery practices on coastal regions, seasgoing canoes, large wooden lodges, and nomadic hunting.
- Inuit groups: Fishing and hunting, building underground sod-walled houses, dog sledges, and considered the "stereotype of Eskimo" (nomadic sea hunter living in an igloo).
- Indigenous Hawaiians: Gatherers of tropical forest crops, terrace mountainsides and irrigated fields.
Early American Colonization
- European colonization of America began in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish, French, and English
- Spanish: Florida, Southwest, California (1500-1600s), seeking gold and a sea passage to Asia
- French: Primarily focused on trade
- English: The first permanent English settlement was Jamestown, Virginia. The English Crown authorized companies to undertake colonization as private commercial ventures.
- 1619: First African laborers arrived as indentured servants, working for a contracted period before gaining freedom
English Colonial Settlements (1600s)
- Maryland (1630s): A haven for Catholics seeking refuge from persecution in England. Major cash crops included rice and indigo. Maryland engaged in frequent warfare with Native Americans.
- Massachusetts: Established by merchants, explorers, and members of the Church of England who sought new lands and opportunities. The Pilgrims (radical separatists from the Church of England) founded the first northern settlement; seeking religious freedom. Puritans established the larger Massachusetts Bay Colony, a "city on a hill" known for their strict religious beliefs and intolerance toward other denominations, resulting in a homogeneous community
- Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania): Had a more diverse population including Dutch, Swedish, and Quakers. New York and New Jersey were settled by the Dutch, while Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, an aristocratic Quaker who sought refuge from religious oppression in England. The Quakers emphasized religious freedom and equality and played a crucial role in establishing a more tolerant society.
Defining American Identity:
- Madison Grant: Strongly opposed to the melting pot and the concept of racial mixing. He believed racial traits are determined by heredity. He feared that mixing of superior and inferior races would lead to the domination of inferior traits, which would be detrimental to American society. He supported eugenics and had a racist outlook.
- Michael Lee Cohen, David: Focused on the complex relationship between Koreans and blacks in South Central Los Angeles. He noted the tensions and prejudice faced by Koreans, who were often seen as scapegoats for white people's actions. He also highlighted blacks' frustrations with Koreans, particularly regarding the 1965 Watts Riots, the 1991 Rodney King Case, and the 1991 Latasha Harlins case.
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Description
Explore the various concepts surrounding national identity, including nativism, assimilation, and multiculturalism. This quiz will assess your understanding of terms like 'melting pot' and 'salad bowl' as metaphors for cultural integration. Dive into the historical context and implications of the Civil Rights Movement in shaping identity in America.
