INTRO : Brainstorming - Test your Knowledge of the US 24-25

What are the first words that come to your mind when you think “USA” ?

Discussion about prejudices, clichés and cancel culture

1. Freedom: The idea of “land of the free” is a core image of the U.S., reflecting its founding principles, but it’s also a concept sometimes criticized as idealized, especially given social inequalities.

2. American Dream: This represents the belief that anyone can succeed with hard work. However, it’s often debated due to rising inequalities and barriers to opportunities.

3. Capitalism: The U.S. is known for its capitalist economy and consumer culture, which can be admired for innovation but criticized for materialism and economic disparity.

4. Diversity: The U.S. is seen as a melting pot of cultures, though this is accompanied by challenges like racism and social integration, leading to discussions on equity and inclusion.

5. Guns and Violence: The right to bear arms is a unique aspect of American identity but is often viewed negatively abroad due to the high incidence of gun violence.

These keywords are tied to prejudices and clichés, shaping how the U.S. is perceived. Cancel culture plays a role in this by intensifying debates around controversial topics like racism, history, and societal values, reflecting a nation grappling with its identity and past.

How many political parties are there in the US?

There are over 420 registered political parties in the US :

• The Republican Party,

• the Democratic Party,

• the Libertarian Party,

• the Green Party,

• the Constitution Party,

• the Alliance Party, etc.

Who was Joe Biden’s running-mate in the 2020 election?

Kamala Harris – who became JB’s vice-president and took over as the official candidate for the Democratic Party on July 21st, 2024 - after JB withdrew his bid for reelection.

Running mate = vice-presidential candidate

- They defeated Donald J. Trump (45th president of the US) and Michael (Mike) Pence.

NB : Mike Pence was Trump's running mate, and Trump and he defeated Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.

When will the next presidential elections be held?

The next presidential election in the United States will be held on November 5, 2024. This election will determine the President and Vice President for the term starting in January 2025. It coincides with other elections, including congressional races and various state and local elections.

How often are presidential elections held in the US?

- Presidential elections are held every four years, with a maximum of 2 mandates.

- The Constitution indeed limits the presidency to two mandates (2 x 4 years = 8 years)

- Example : Barack Obama has been president for 8 years.

Who takes over if the president is impeached (destituer) while in office?

The Vice President takes over if the President dies or is impeached.

There is a Presidential Line of succession :

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Speaker of the House

4. President of the Senate

5. Secretary of State - etc.

(They hide the Vice President in a bunker if sth ever happened to the President)

What does FLOTUS stand for?

FLOTUS stands for First Lady of the United States. It is a title given to the wife of the President of the United States, or, if the president is unmarried, to the person who fills the role of hostess of the White House.

As of October 2024, the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is Jill Biden. She has held this role since 2021, during Joe Biden’s presidency. Recently, she has been actively campaigning in support of Kamala Harris, who is running in the 2024 presidential election alongside Tim Walz.

(For Trump, it’s Melania Trump)

When are the next legislative elections held ?

The next legislative elections (also called Midterm Elections) in the United States are scheduled for November 5, 2024. This includes elections for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 seats in the Senate, which will determine the composition of the 119th U.S. Congress.

- They are held every 2 years

- Mid-elections (2 years) = before the presidential elections (4 years)

How many stars are there on the American flag and why?

The Continental Congress designed the first flag in 1777. They decided that the flag would have 13 red and white stripes and 13 white stars for the 13 original colonies. Today, there are 50 stars for the 50 states.

NB : 48 states + Alaska + Hawaï (not 52)

What is the capital of the US?

Washington DC - District of Columbia = the seat of the US federal government.

Washington D.C. (District of Columbia created in 1492)

ATT : It is different of Washington state !!

Washington D.C. is not located in any of the 50 US states. It is located in the District of Columbia, which is what D.C. stands for.

New York City was the first capital when the Constitution was ratified. Later the capital was moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it was only in 1791 as a result of the signing of the Residence Act that government decided to create an independent district. The territory, which was formally part of Maryland and Virginia, was officially recognized as the federal district in 1801. Population 689,000 (2020 census).

Which State is the largest geographically in the US?

1. The largest U.S. state by geographical area is Alaska. It covers about 663,300 square miles (1,717,856 square kilometers), making it significantly larger than both Texas and California.

   • Texas is the second-largest state, with an area of approximately 268,600 square miles (695,662 square kilometers).

   • California ranks third in size among the states, covering about 163,700 square miles (423,970 square kilometers).

What is the total US population as of now?

There are about 337 million people living in the US today.

(11 millions en Belgique ; 1,4 milliard en Chine)

Which US state is the most populated ?

California, with 39 million people.

Which state ranks first in per capita income?

1. Where is the daaamn money?

Connecticut (Northeast of the U.S.)

=> most money is in the coast

=> Mississippi is the poorest state

What is the unemployment rate in the US as of August 2024?

The average unemployment rate in Belgium was 5.4% this summer (12.3% Bxl, 6.8% Wal, 3.4% FI).

US = 4.2% unemployment rate as of August 2024 (0.4% higher than last year). In March 2020, the US unemployment rate rose to 15%. The average poverty rate in the US is around 10-12% (17% for Hispanics- 19.5% for Blacks). The average poverty rate in Belgium is 13.2%. → Depends on what 'under the poverty level' means.

What is the official language in the US?

There is no official language at the federal level in the US. WHY ?

- Because of the 1st Amendment : Freedom of speech that says we can speak whatever we want.

But some states have local laws.

What is the largest minority group in the US today?

Hispanic Americans, representing 18% of the total US population.

Which religious denomination has the largest following in the US?

Protestant.

Is abortion legal in the US?

Yes, but not in all states.

In June 2022, Dobbs (State Health Officer for Mississippi Department of Health) v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (Abortion clinic) = landmark US SC decision overturning Roe v. Wade (1973) which holds that the US Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, giving individual states back the full power to regulate aspects of abortion not covered by federal law.

Do same-sex couples have the right to get married in the US ?

June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled in a landmark decision (Obergefell v. Hodges) that the 14th Amendment requires all states to license marriages between same-sex couples and to recognize all marriages that were lawfully performed out of state.

What did Donald Trump say about eating dogs and cats in the US?

According to Donald Trump during ABC's presidential debate last month : "In Springfield (Ohio), they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They re eating - they are eating the pets of the people that live there." He was referring to illegal immigrants from Haiti /'hei ti:/.

→ discussion about conspiracy theories on the web and populism.

Trump's claim about immigrants eating pets in Springfield reflects conspiracy theories and populist rhetoric. Such statements exploit fear and misinformation to influence public opinion, fostering division and distrust.