Ch. 1, Lesson 1 -- Being an American
Chapter 1, Lesson 1 – “Being An American
2. A Nation of Immigrants
a. all of us are either immigrants or descendents of immigrants
Memory Tool – Span DAfEF NoWE SEE – Spanish, Dutch, African slaves, English, French, N.W. Europeans, S.E. Europeans.
Now…FEMEALs – Far East and Middle East Asians & Latinos. Fastest growing – Asians.
3. A Diverse Population
a. Racial and Ethnic Diversity – Most are white/Caucasians (European); Latinos (those of any
race from Spanish-speaking countries; a.k.a. Hispanic), then African-Americans, then Asians. Asians -- fastest-growing. (ethnic means related to a group of people sharing similar race or culture – language, religion, etc. synonym = cultural)
a. Movement from rural areas to cities (urban areas) for jobs in factories (“blue-
collar” jobs) or offices (“white collar” jobs)
Shared values, ideas and institutions unite us in our diversity
things that are most important to us, like what’s right or wrong. Principles/beliefs + values 🡪 actions and behavior…the way we live!
a. we have natural (God-given) rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
b. value of “popular sovereignty” (people rule; gov’t. is there by “consent (permission) of the
governed”) through fair, free, regular elections;
c. equal justice under the law, and majority rule through people’s representatives
4. American Institutions – the “building blocks” of our society that transmit values and keep it strong.
Institutions are sets of key relationships and connections that have certain obligations, roles, functions.
Memory Device: “FRED SOG”
</body></html>Chapter 1, Lesson 1 – “Being An American
2. A Nation of Immigrants
a. all of us are either immigrants or descendents of immigrants
Memory Tool – Span DAfEF NoWE SEE – Spanish, Dutch, African slaves, English, French, N.W. Europeans, S.E. Europeans.
Now…FEMEALs – Far East and Middle East Asians & Latinos. Fastest growing – Asians.
3. A Diverse Population
a. Racial and Ethnic Diversity – Most are white/Caucasians (European); Latinos (those of any
race from Spanish-speaking countries; a.k.a. Hispanic), then African-Americans, then Asians. Asians -- fastest-growing. (ethnic means related to a group of people sharing similar race or culture – language, religion, etc. synonym = cultural)
a. Movement from rural areas to cities (urban areas) for jobs in factories (“blue-
collar” jobs) or offices (“white collar” jobs)
Shared values, ideas and institutions unite us in our diversity
things that are most important to us, like what’s right or wrong. Principles/beliefs + values 🡪 actions and behavior…the way we live!
a. we have natural (God-given) rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
b. value of “popular sovereignty” (people rule; gov’t. is there by “consent (permission) of the
governed”) through fair, free, regular elections;
c. equal justice under the law, and majority rule through people’s representatives
4. American Institutions – the “building blocks” of our society that transmit values and keep it strong.
Institutions are sets of key relationships and connections that have certain obligations, roles, functions.
Memory Device: “FRED SOG”
</body></html>