Poverty exam 2

Which U.S. regions have the highest Latino/Hispanic populations?

The Southwest (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), Florida, New York, and Chicago.

What major event shaped Mexican-American presence in the U.S.?

The Mexican-American War (1846–1848).

What treaty ended the Mexican-American War and affected Latino populations?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Who are the “Hispanos”?

Descendants of early Spanish settlers, especially in New Mexico, distinct from later Mexican immigrants.

How did U.S. annexation after the Mexican-American War affect Mexican landowners?

They lost land and legal rights through discrimination and manipulation.

Why are many Mexican-American populations concentrated near the borderlands today?

Historical continuity of settlement and migration tied to annexed territories.

What physical features define Appalachia?

Mountainous terrain with valleys and ridges, leading to geographic isolation.

What natural resources dominate Appalachia?

Coal, timber, and agriculture.

Why did Appalachia’s extractive industries deepen poverty?

Profits flowed to outside corporations, not local communities (“colonial economy”).

What are common health issues linked to Appalachian poverty?

Chronic illness, addiction, and poor healthcare access.

Name three major reasons for persistent poverty in Appalachia.

Geographic isolation, economic dependence on extractive industries, and cultural stereotypes.

What was the purpose of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)?

A New Deal program to improve electrification, flood control, and economic development.

What does the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) do?

Invests in infrastructure and development to reduce poverty in Appalachia (est. 1965).

Where are most American Indian populations concentrated today?

Great Plains, Southwest, Oklahoma, and parts of the Southeast.

Where are Alaska Native populations primarily located?

Across Alaska in villages and regional corporate territories.

What transformed the lifestyle of Plains Indians before U.S. expansion?

The introduction of horses and reliance on buffalo hunting.

What event led to major economic exploitation of Alaska Natives?

The gold rushes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

What law defined land rights for Alaska Natives?

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971).

How did the reservation system affect American Indians?

It limited autonomy and placed tribal lands under federal control.

Compare land ownership between Alaska Natives and American Indian

Alaska Natives own land through regional corporations; American Indians live on federally controlled reservations.

What are typical economic bases for Alaska Native communities today?

Fishing, oil, and tourism.

What are common economic bases for American Indian communities today?

Agriculture, gaming, and resource extraction.

What does the headdress symbolize for Plains tribes?

Sacred honor earned through bravery and service.

Why is headdress misuse in media problematic?

It appropriates sacred symbols and disrespects Indigenous traditions.

What themes are highlighted in documentaries on Appalachian poverty?

Structural poverty, welfare dependency, and social stigma.

What themes are common in documentaries on South Dakota and American Indian poverty?

Reservation poverty, unemployment, addiction, and sovereignty struggles (e.g., Pine Ridge).

What is Salt of the Earth about?

A strike by Mexican-American miners in New Mexico fighting for equal pay and working conditions.

How does race shape power dynamics in the film?

White mine owners and officials discriminate against Mexican-American workers.

What social identities intersect in the film?

Race, class, and gender.

How do women’s roles evolve in the film?

Wives lead the strike after men are barred—showing gender equality and solidarity.

What does the film reveal about the “white power structure”?

It uses law enforcement and racism to maintain control and suppress labor movements.

How do the experiences of Alaska Natives differ from those of American Indians?

Alaska Natives gained corporate-based land rights (ANCSA), while American Indians were confined to reservations; each faced different colonial pressures (gold rush vs. westward expansion).

In Salt of the Earth, how do race and ethnicity influence social identity?

Ethnic discrimination shapes behavior—Mexican Americans unite against racist treatment, revealing class and racial solidarity.