Shaping an Abundant Land

Shaping an Abundant Land

Chapter 6

History and Government of the United StatesSection 1

Main Ideas

The United States is a “nation of immigrants,” settled by people from all over the world.

The United States is the most diverse and highly industrialized and urbanized nation in the world.

Creating a Nation

The US is the world’s third largest country in land area and population

Migration=movement of peopleThe US has high immigration and

migration

Many People Settle the Land

In 1565 the Spanish founded St. Augustine, FL It is considered the oldest permanent

European settlement in the USFrance was interested in fisheries and the fur

tradeThe French settled in CanadaThe English settled on the east coastColumbian Exchange=movement between

the Eastern and Western Hemispheres

Establishing and Maintaining the Union

Protests by the 13 American colonies led to the American Revolution 1775-1783

The US was foundedThe US was almost doubled by the

Louisiana PurchaseEarly 1800’s saw high immigration to

newly industrialized cities

Sectionalism was growingPlacing loyalty to their region, or section,

above loyalty to the nationTensions led to the Civil WarLasted four years1861-1865

An Industrial and Urban Society

People moved west of the Mississippi

Westward Movement

The US government removed Native Americans from their lands by treaty or by force

Railroads brought people to the West and western goods to the east

Frontier=the free, open land that had been available and suitable for settlement

Industrialization and Urbanization

Immigrants from Western and Eastern Europe came to the US

Immigrants and large numbers of Americans from rural areas came to cities to work in textile, steel, oil, food processing and other industries

The US moved from a rural nation to an urban, industrialized nation

World Power and Domestic Change

Looking Beyond its Borders

The US was somewhat protected from foreign conflicts by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

When WWII ended the United States was the only major nation that escaped major physical damage and had a healthy economy.

Social Change and Technological Growth

Large number of people began migrating from cities to surrounding suburbs

Suburbs=the communities outside of a city

Immigrants continued to arriveMany immigrants came from Latin

America and Asia1960-1970’s had the civil rights

movement

Wanted equal rights for African AmericansFeminists wanted equal rights for womenStudents protested US involvement in Vietnam

1955-1975Technology altered the way goods were

producedServices and information technology

surpassed industrial productionThe US became the world’s greatest economic

power

Living in a Global Society

Political influence spread throughout the world after WWII

US became the leader of the world’s non-Communist nations

Goal was to stop the spread of communismCold War 1945-1991Communism in Europe collapsed in 1991US uses its diplomatic and military power to

try to keep the peace and to further American interests in the international community.

Governing the People

The US is a representative democracy—the people rule through elected representatives

Federal republic—powers are divided among the federal government and state governments

Branches of Government

Executive Branch Legislative Branch

PresidentCarries out the lawsApproves or vetoes

proposed laws

Makes the laws

Branches of Government

Judicial Branch States

Interprets the laws by reviewing decisions of lower courts

Have executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Exercise powers not specifically granted to the federal govt. by the Constitution.

Economy and Culture of the United StatesSection 2

Main Ideas

The United States has the world’s largest and most diversified economy.

American products and popular culture are recognized around the world.

The World’s Greatest Economic Power

The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world.

The US accounts for more than 10% of the world’s exports

Exports—goods sold to another country

American Economy

Factors that have contributed to economic success:◦Available natural resources◦A skilled labor force◦Stable political system

Free Enterprise

Free enterprise—private individuals own most of the resources, technology, and businesses and can operate them for profit with little control from the government

An Agricultural and Industrial Giant

America supplies about 40% of the world’s corn, 20% of its cotton and 10% of wheat, cattle and hogs

Fertile soil, a favorable climate, and early mechanization of farms are responsible

Different areas of the country produce different products

See map page 141

An Agricultural and Industrial Giant

Leading industries are:◦Petroleum◦Steel◦Transportation equipment◦Chemicals◦Electronics

Major industrial centers along the Atlantic Coast and around Great Lakes

Detroit=autosSeattle=aircraftSilicon Valley=computers

A Postindustrial Economy

The economy today is driven by the service industry

Service industry—any kind of economic activity that produces a service rather than a product

Postindustrial economy—an economy where manufacturing no longer plays a dominant role

The US exports raw materials, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.

The US imports cars, electronic equipment, machinery and apparel

Multinationals—businesses that engage in business worldwide

A Diverse Society

70% of Americans trace their ancestry to Europe

13% are Hispanic American12% are African American4% are Asian American1% are Native American

Ethnic Groups

EuropeanHispanicAfrican Amer-icanAsianNative Amer-ican

Languages and Religion

English is the dominant languageSpanish is the second most common85% of Americans are Christians56% Protestants28% Roman Catholic2% Jewish2% Muslim

The Arts and Popular Culture

Native Americans were the first artistsMotion pictures and popular music are two

influential American art formsJazz, blues, gospel and rock have African-

American originsCountry and bluegrass has Southern white

origins

American Life Today

“The American Dream” is a better life for people and their children

80% of Americans live in cities or suburbsWe have widespread ownership of carsHighly developed transportation network

How American Live, Work, and Play

Americans value education seeing it a s a means to provide equality and opportunity

Ages 6-16 are required to attend schoolPublic school is free until age 21Free time in America is used to play

sports, hobbies, visit museums and libraries, watch TV, etc

One in ten people live in poverty

Subregions of the United StatesSection 3

Main Ideas

The United States is divided into four major economic and cultural subregions.

There are both similarities and differences among the subregions of the United States.

The Northeast

Covers 5% of the nation’s land area

20% of the population lives here

New England=Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

America’s Gateway

Mid-Atlantic States= Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware

The NE was the area first settled by Europeans

It has been a “gateway” to America for immigrants

Economic Activities include:◦Fishing◦Farming◦Trade◦Commerce◦International trade centers◦Mining◦Lumber◦Manufacturing◦Service industries◦Medical research

The Rust Belt

The Mid-Atlantic is called the “rust belt” b/c of the declining and abandoned traditional industries

Many of these industries have moved to warmer climates in the south and west

Growth of the Megalopolis

Megalopolis=a region in which several large cities and surrounding areas grow together

BosWash megalopolis—stretches from Boston to Washington, DC

Include NYCRapid road, rail and air links have been

vital to the economic development and expansion

The Midwest

Contains 12 states

Located in the north-central US

Often called the American heartland

Occupies 1/5 of the land

¼ of population lives here

The Midwest

Vast, largely flat plains are a featureNumerous waterways, including the Great

Lakes and the Mississippi River

Agricultural and Industrial Heartland

Called the nation’s “breadbasket”Fertile soil, adequate rainfall, and a

favorable climateMain products:

◦Corn◦Wheat◦Soybeans◦Meat◦Dairy goods

Economy of the Midwest

Center for meatpacking, food processing, farm equipment and grain milling

Steel and auto makingA trade, transportation and distribution

center due to excellent waterwaysMost major cities are next to bodies of

water

Changing Face of the Midwest

Number of farms is decliningMost people have service jobsMetropolitan areas are expandingPeople and industries are moving to the

warmer areas in the South and West

The South

The South

Covers ¼ of the land area of the USContains 1/3 of the population11 of these states made up the

confederacyWarm climate, fertile soil and natural

resources

The Old South

Early European settlementMix of culturesReferred to as the “sunbelt” b/c of the

climate

The New South

Agriculture includes:◦Cotton, tobacco, fruits, peanuts, rice, livestock

Humid subtropical climateVast stores of energy resources age a

boost to industryMajor industries include:

◦Petroleum, steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, electronics

Atlanta is considered the hub of the New South

Metropolitan areas=large cities and nearby suburbs and towns

The West

Consist of 13 statesIncludes Alaska and

HawaiiCovers ½ the land 1/5 of the

populationDramatic and varied

landscapes

The West

People settle wherever landforms and climate are favorable

Cal is the country’s most populous stateCal has excellent farmland, good harbors

and a mild climateMost rapidly growing region in the USLA is the country’s second largest cityLA is the hub of the West

Developing the West

Growth was helped by air conditioning and irrigation

Varied economic activities◦Farming, ranching, food processing, logging,

fishing, mining, oil refining, tourism, filmmaking and computer production

Foreign trade (especially with Asia) is important

DISASTER!!!!!The Dust Bowl

Map of the Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl was the result of both man and nature.

Desperation

Migrants from the Dust Bowl were forced to live any way they could while trying to find jobs picking vegetables or fruit. This mother and her seven children lived in a tent in a California migrant camp, eating vegetables found on the ground and birds they killed.

After the Storms

Thousands of farms, like this one, were turned into dust-covered wastelands by the drought and duststorms of the 1930’s.

Causes Effects

Years of poor agricultural practices, such as over plowing and over grazing stripped away about 96 million acres of grasslands in the southern plains.

Seven years of drought, or dry weather, turned the soil to dust.

Hundreds of millions of tons of soil were blown away

Crops withered and livestock died

More than 2 million plains people abandoned their farms.

Preventive Measures

Experts in crop production and soil management proposed the use of scientific farming methods, including:◦Contour plowing, or plowing across a hill rather

than up and down, to stop wind and water erosion

◦Terracing, or planting crops in stair-stepped rows, to prevent soil erosion

◦Planting trees to hold the soil in place and to slow the force of the wind

FACTS

The worst of the devastation was centered in parts of five states—Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas

Dust from the Great Plains was reported by ships to have blown as far east as 500 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean in 1934

The most terrible dust storm cam on April 14, 1935. A blinding black cloud of swirling dust rolled across the southern plains, blotting out the sun, suffocating animals, and burying machinery.