Chapter 10 American Ø Ø People work to

Chapter 10 American Ø Ø People work to live, not live to work casual in life, careful in work Ø Ø “in search of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. ”

Characteristics of the American population Ø A. the third most populous country in the world after China and India. Ø B. a faster population growth, particularly after the 1890 s; Ø C. immigration as a source of population growth; Ø D. population movement (or: mobility) from traditional manufacturing industries in the Northeast and Midwest to high-technology industries, whose growth has been most notable in the sunbelt states of the South and Mountain regions in such states as Arizona, Nevada, and Florida.

American Ages or Generations Ø The Pioneers Ages (1780 s--1900 s) Ø The Lost Generation (1910 s) Ø The Jazz Age (1920 s— 1940 s) Ø The Beaten Generation (1950 s— 1960 s) Ø The Generation X (1960 s--1970 s) Ø The Hippies (1970 s) Ø The Yuppies (1980 s) Ø The Yetties ( 1990 s)

Melting Pot Ø The metaphor of the “melting pot” comes from Englishman Israel Zangwill's play The Melting Pot, which was first performed in Washington, D. C. Ø in 1908.

Melting Pot Americans have been considered as the “melting pot”, because they are immigrants, from different countries in the world. They all adopted the English language but their own culture didn’t appear completely. These immigrants joined together and created a new culture---American culture. This is just like to put vegetables, meat, bean curd etc. into a large pot, stew and later finish a course of dish. This dish keeps each flavor, but it is a new one, more delicious and distinguished.

Immigrants Ø The white people: 85% Ø a. white Anglo—Saxon Protestants (WASPS) 45% b. Germans 30% Ø The colored people: 15% Ø a. black people 12% Ø b. Hispanics----Latin Americans 1. 5% Ø c. Oriental Americans---Chinese and Japanese. 1% Ø d. Jews. 0. 5%

Immigrating Causes Ø Nation of immigrants, land of opportunity. They were “in search of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. ” Ø a. escape from political and religious oppression. Ø b. escape from economic hardships. Ø c. seek a better education and a more prosperous life.

American Dream Ø No matter how poor they are, how hard the environment is, they still believe that they can achieve wealth, fame and realize their dream through their diligent, honest and hard work. Ø a. They dream to start a new life in a new place. Ø b. They dream to be from the rags to the riches. Ø c. They dream to do what they like to do without breaking the laws and interfering others’ freedom.

Traditional American Values Individual freedom Self-reliance Equality of opportunity Competition Material wealth Hard work

The American Character Ø Ø Ø Ø 1. Introduction 2. curiosity 3. Equality 4. Punctuality 5. Individualism 6. Materialism 7. Democracy

1. Introduction Ø Ø 1. Immigrants and melting pot 2. racial, cultural and regional diversities 3. Character in common 4. frontier and Pioneering spirit

2. Curiosity Ø Ø Ø 1. curious 2. changeable 3. adaptable 4. adventurous 5. creative 6. imaginative

3. Equality Ø Ø 1. created equal by God 2. equal before laws and chances 3. American dream

4. Punctuality Ø 1. Save one’s time and others’ time Ø 2. work efficiently Ø 3. fast life pace Ø 4. depending on machines

5. Individualism Ø Ø 1. Capitalism 2. simple human relations 3. center of one’s life 4. completion and isolation

6. Materialism Ø Ø 1. Capitalism 2. crazy for money and joy 3. consumerism

7. Democracy Ø Ø 1. competition and election 2. parents and children 3. teachers and students 4. government and citizens