American Society: People, Politics, and Religion

A Nation of Immigrants

Native Americans

The first people to arrive in America came from Asia across the Bering Strait during a period of lower sea levels.

Reservations

Land set aside for Native Americans has historically faced challenges such as poverty and unemployment. Significant Native American populations reside in California, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

British Influence

The American Revolution (1776) resulted in a blend of British and American cultures. Immigrants from the UK and Ireland played a significant role in shaping the early United States.

African Americans

Between 1620 and 1820, Africans were brought to America to work as slaves. In the South, they labored on plantations cultivating crops like cotton and tobacco. In the North, they worked in various industries. The Civil War in 1865 ended slavery and paved the way for the dismantling of discriminatory laws.

European Immigration

Starting in 1820, immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, including Germany, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, and Norway, began arriving in the US, driven by poverty, war, or discrimination, and seeking better opportunities. American culture adopted some of their foods and festivals.

Southern and Eastern European Immigration

Later waves of immigrants came from Southern and Eastern Europe, including Italy, Greece, Poland, and Russia, also escaping poverty and discrimination. The US transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial economy in the 1860s.

The Melting Pot

The United States became known as a melting pot due to the diversity and contributions of people from many different cultures.

The American Political System

The US operates as an indirect democracy, guided by the Constitution, written in 1787. African Americans gained the right to vote after women.

Federalism

Federalism means that each state has its own government, coexisting with the national (federal) government. Only the national government can print money, while states control their education systems. Both federal and state governments can collect taxes.

Three Branches of Government

The US government is divided into three branches:

• Legislative: Congress (makes laws) is composed of two parts: the House of Representatives (435 members) and the Senate (100 members).
• Executive: The President administers laws and oversees ten departments.
• Judicial: Interprets the laws. The Supreme Court is the most important court, with nine members appointed for life.

The President leads the country, while Governors lead individual states.

The Two-Party System

The US has a two-party system:

• Democratic Party: Generally considered liberal, with support among working classes and lower-income groups.
• Republican Party: Generally considered conservative, with more support among upper classes.

Religion in America

The US Constitution mandates the separation of church and state, guaranteeing freedom of religion. While 94% of Americans identify as Christian, this includes various denominations such as Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Mormons. Protestants represent a significant group. The "Bible Belt" refers to sections of the South and some Midwest states where religious observance is particularly strong.