History Notes

Core Values

Ideals that forge a common culture and bind a people together.

Manufacturing Belt

Region in the American Northwest and Great Lakes regions where manufacturing was concentrated until the 1960s.

Sunbelt Region

Area in the South and Southwest where manufacturing moved to during the 1960s.

Individualism

The belief that every individual is unique and self-reliant, often at the expense of the group or society.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD)

The belief in God as Creator who desires goodness and happiness for people but is not involved in daily lives.

Top 3 Major Religions in the USA

Protestants (46.5%), Roman Catholics (20.8%), and Jews (1.9%), with 22.8% unaffiliated.

Evangelicalism

The belief in justification by faith alone, salvation through Christ alone, and the final authority of Scripture.

Mormonism

A religion founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, claiming all contemporary churches were false and emphasizing salvation by grace alone.

Free Enterprise Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own most production factors and make economic decisions.

Declaration of Independence

Ideas centered on the right of the people to govern themselves.

US Constitution

The law of the land that applies specifically to the United States.

Federal Republic

The American government system where power primarily resides with the people, who have voting rights.

Economic Health of America

Characterized by free enterprise capitalism, allowing individuals to run businesses with minimal government interference.

Percentage of Americans Living Outside Urban Areas

About 17.3% of Americans live outside urban areas.

Population Change Prediction by 2050

Demographers predict that more than half of the U.S. population will consist of minorities.

Changes in America Over Time

Birth rates and life expectancy have changed, with predictions of a doubling of those aged 65 and older by 2050.

Four Core Values Binding Americans

Liberty, equality, individualism, and growth.

Definition of Freedom or Liberty

Many Americans view liberty as freedom from law, differing from the Puritan view of submitting to Christ's law.

Equality of Opportunity vs

Equality of opportunity does not guarantee equal wealth or income; effort and labor influence outcomes.

Disagreement on Equality

Americans differ on wage equality, with some advocating for equal pay regardless of effort, while others argue for pay reflecting effort.