Kultura I Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Kulura I, covering immigration, American identity, and Asian American ethnic groups.

Who were the first immigrants to America?

Europeans, mainly the Pilgrims and Puritans from England in the early 1600s. They settled in the New England colonies, such as Massachusetts.

Why did the first immigrants settle in America?

They decided to settle in America to seek religious freedom, escape persecution, and pursue economic opportunities.

Why were the encounters between Native Americans and Europeans disastrous?

Decimated Native populations, Europeans brought diseases, land conflict, violence and warfare, and the Trail of Tears.

First Wave of Immigration to the USA (1600s–early 1800s)

From Northern and Western Europe (England, Germany, Ireland). Motivated by religious freedom and economic opportunity. Generally welcomed, though some faced religious prejudice.

Second Wave of Immigration to the USA (mid-1800s–early 1900s)

Southern and Eastern Europeans (Italians, Poles). Faced discrimination due to language, religion, and customs.

Third Wave of Immigration to the USA (post-1965)

After the 1965 Immigration Act, immigrants came from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Some communities welcomed diversity; others resisted demographic change.

Fourth Wave of Immigration to the USA (late 20th century–present)

Continued immigration from non-European countries, driven by globalization, family reunification, and refugee crises. Debates over undocumented immigration and border control intensified.

Urbanization

Immigrants settled in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston, leading to overcrowded neighborhoods.

Ethnic enclaves

Formed communities like Little Italy or Chinatown.

Industrial growth

Immigrants provided labor for factories, railroads, and construction.

Cultural diversity

Brought new cuisines, religions, and traditions.

Tensions

Led to competition for jobs and housing, sparking nativist backlash.

First generation immigrants

Kept their native language and customs, lived in ethnic neighborhoods, and worked low-wage jobs. Struggled with English.

Second generation immigrants

Grew up bilingual, went to American schools, began blending into mainstream society.

Third generation immigrants

Fully Americanized, spoke mostly English, and identified primarily as American.

Public education

Promoted English and “American” values.

Americanization programs

Encouraged cultural adaptation.

Naturalization processes

Facilitated legal integration.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

First major federal immigration restriction. Specifically targeted Chinese laborers, setting a precedent for race-based immigration laws.

Immigration Act of 1924

Established national origin quotas favoring Northern and Western Europeans. Severely restricted immigration from Asia and Southern/Eastern Europe. Reflected the era’s racial and ethnic biases.

Immigration Act of 1952

Kept quotas by nationality but ended racial bans on immigration and allowed Asian immigrants to become citizens.

1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act

Imposed penalties on employers hiring undocumented immigrants but allowed amnesty for some.

Treatment of Japanese immigrants during World War II

During WWII, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps under Executive Order 9066, despite many being U.S. citizens.

Illegal alien

A person who enters or stays in the U.S. without legal permission or overstays a visa.

Refugee

A person who has fled their home country and has received legal protection under U.S. and international law.

Salad bowl metaphor for American society

Reflects a society where different cultures coexist and retain their identities, contributing to the whole without fully blending into one.

Puritans

Early settlers seeking religious freedom; foundational to American religious and moral values.

WASP

White Anglo-Saxon Protestants; historically dominant social group in U.S. politics and culture.

Push Factors

Conditions that drive people to leave their home country, Wars, famines (the Irish Potato Famine), and political upheavals.

Pull Factors

Conditions that attract people to a new country, Industrialization, job opportunities, and the promise of land.

Nativism

The belief in favoring native-born people over immigrants.

National origins quotas

Limited immigration based on ethnic origin; favored Northern Europeans.

‘Old’ immigrants

Early settlers from Northern and Western Europe before the 1880s, seen as more “assimilable.”

Ellis Island (1892–1954)

Became the primary entry point for immigrants on the East Coast. More than 12 million immigrants passed through.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Abolished the quota system. Prioritized family reunification, employment-based immigration, and refugee admissions. Transformed the demographic makeup of the U.S. immigrant population.

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

Legalized millions of undocumented immigrants who had arrived before 1982. Strengthened border enforcement and imposed penalties on employers who hired undocumented workers.

American diversity

Includes racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity. It originated from centuries of immigration—initially from Europe, later from Africa, Asia, Latin America.

An American

A person who is a citizen or resident of the United States of America. Six basic features: Individualism, Freedom, Equality of opportunity, Competition, Material wealth, The American Dream

Why did the earliest settlers/immigrants come to America?

Seeking religious freedom, economic opportunities, political freedom, and to escape persecution or poverty.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

A document in which the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Britain, stating that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Founding Fathers

The leaders who helped establish the United States and shaped its government. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin

Bill of Rights (1791)

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing basic freedoms like freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

How Americans understand freedom/individualism

Seen as the right to act independently; individualism values personal responsibility and self-sufficiency. The “frontier” refers to the westward expansion that shaped the American spirit of adventure, self-reliance, and innovation.

Price to be paid for individual freedom

Can be social isolation, lack of community support, and high responsibility. People must often rely solely on themselves, with limited social safety nets.

How self-reliance is perceived by Americans nowadays

Still highly valued—seen as a sign of strength and integrity. However, there’s growing awareness that structural inequalities can limit individual success.

Equality of opportunity

Means everyone should have the same chances to succeed regardless of background. Americans value it because it aligns with meritocracy and the belief that hard work brings success.

Price to be paid for equality of opportunity

Includes intense competition, stress, and often overlooking social inequality, as not everyone truly starts from the same place.

Pressures of competition in the lives of Americans

Job market stress, educational pressure, consumer culture and constant comparison via social media.

Why older people are not respected in American society

Emphasizes youth, innovation, and independence, sometimes overlooking the wisdom and experience of older generations.

Land of plenty

A place with abundant resources, opportunities, and wealth.

Going from rags to riches

Rising from poverty to wealth through hard work.

American Dream

The belief that anyone can succeed through effort and determination.

Why material wealth became a value to the American people

Symbolizes success and achievement, tied to freedom—owning property means independence and security.

Price to be paid for material wealth

People may face overwork, stress, and loss of community or family time. Examples include burnout in corporate jobs or debt from consumerism.

Can workers go ‘from rags to riches’ nowadays?

More difficult due to rising inequality, student debt, and wage stagnation. However, some still do through entrepreneurship, innovation, or education.

Idealism

Belief that everyone can succeed if they work hard

Reality

Systemic barriers (racism, poverty, access to education) limit true equality of opportunity.

Volunteerism

Helping others without pay; rooted in community and civic duty.

Psychology of abundance

Belief that resources are limitless and success is possible for all.

Mobility

The ability to move up economically or socially.

How American patriotism differs from European patriotism

Often emphasizes freedom, individual rights, and national pride, while European patriotism tends to focus more on shared culture, history, and regional identity.

Early Asian American immigration

Began in the mid-19th century, mainly Chinese laborers coming for the Gold Rush (1848) and railroad construction. Japanese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian, and Southeast Asian immigrants arrived later for similar economic opportunities, agriculture, and later professional jobs.

Post-1965 Immigration and Nationality Act

Lifted previous quotas, resulting in a large increase in immigrants from diverse Asian countries.

Problems faced by Asian immigrants

Discrimination and exclusion laws like Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 barred Asian immigrants from citizenship and land ownership, internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, racism and xenophobia, including employment discrimination and social segregation, language barriers and cultural adjustment challenges.

Geographical Distribution of Asian Americans

California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose), Washington, Oregon East Coast: New York City, New Jersey, Boston Other major hubs: Texas (Houston, Dallas), Illinois (Chicago), Hawaii

East Asians

Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Mongolian

Southeast Asians

Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian

South Asians

Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Sri Lankan

Economic status of Asian Americans

Generally higher median incomes and education levels compared to the national average, but there is great variability. Many work in technology, medicine, academia, and business.

Social Challenges for Asian Americans

Glass ceilings, underrepresentation in leadership roles despite high qualifications, facing discrimination and affordability issues, especially in urban areas, high academic achievement overall but also struggles in underprivileged subgroups, issues like mental health stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, rising hate crimes, particularly during COVID-19, persistent stereotypes, hate crimes, and microaggressions.

Traditions and Customs of Asian Americans

Celebrations like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Obon, Mid-Autumn Festival, martial arts (karate, taekwondo, kung fu) widely practiced and taught, traditional arts including calligraphy, tea ceremonies, traditional dance, and festivals that enrich multiculturalism.

Asian American Impact on American Cuisine

Chinese dishes (dim sum, General Tso’s chicken), sushi and Japanese cuisine, Indian curries and South Asian spices, Vietnamese pho and banh mi, Korean barbecue and kimchi, fusion cuisine blending Asian flavors with American styles.

Asian American Impact on English Language

Introduction of Asian loanwords ( karaoke, tofu, kimono, typhoon), influence on American slang and youth culture through Asian pop culture and internet communities, bilingual and multilingual communities enrich linguistic diversity.

Asian American Impact on American Film/Music Industry and Performing Arts

Increased representation in Hollywood and independent film. Notable actors: Bruce Lee, Lucy Liu, musicians and performers contributing to pop, classical, hip-hop, and K-pop influence in the U.S., martial arts choreography influencing action cinema, Asian American theater companies and storytelling platforms promoting diverse narratives.

Asian American Impact on American Sport

Athletes such as Jeremy Lin (basketball), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Apolo Ohno (speed skating), Naomi Osaka (tennis), popularizing martial arts as sport and discipline.

Asian American Impact on American Politics

Growing political representation: Kamala Harris, advocacy on immigration, civil rights, and social justice, increasing voter engagement and leadership in local and national government.

Notable Asian American Figures

Writers: Amy Tan Scientists: Chien-Shiung Wu Actors: Daniel Dae Kim Musicians: Yo-Yo Ma Politicians: Kamala Harris Sports: Naomi Osaka.