Exploring the U.S.A.

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ExploringtheU.S.A.

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What do I already know?

• How many of the 50 States can you name? Locate on
  a map? (try this interactive quiz to see how you
  do)
• See who can get the best score in accuracy, the
  lowest average error, and the quickest time! Try
  again later to see if you learned from your
  mistakes the first time.

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How much do I know? contd

• What do you know about the history of the United
  States? What names or events come to mind when
  you think of U.S. history?
• When you think of American culture, what
  associations do you make? Do you think of what
  youve seen in movies, or are there other sources
  of your impressions?

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Stereotypes - discuss

• What are stereotypes of Americans?
• Southerners?
• Yankees?
• Midwesterners?
• Westerners?
• (some answers)

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Defining a region

• It is important to understand that there are many
  different ways to look at the regions of the
  United States. A state may have characteristics
  typical of more than one region. Border states
  are particularly difficult to classify for
  example, Maryland is technically a part of the
  South, as it is south of the Mason-Dixon line,
  but culturally it is usually classified with the
  Northeast.
• We will use the U.S. Census Bureaus official
  breakdown of regions.

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Regions
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A New England Lighthouse
Bostons Harbor
Central Park, Manhattan Island
The Northeast is known for colorful fall foliage
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Birthplace of a nation

• The Boston Tea Party colonists protested their
  lack of political power, which sparked
  Revolutionary fervor
• Philadelphia - Founding Fathers met to write the
  Declaration of Independence, and later to
  establish, in the U.S. Constitution, guidelines
  for the new nation

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Education

• The Ivy League
• - an association of world-renowned schools
  concentrated in the Northeast are considered to
  provide superior education and opportunities for
  students

On the campus of Brown University
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New York City

• New York is a lively, vibrant place the city
  that never sleeps. NYC is a multi-cultural
  mega-city, known for welcoming immigrants from
  around the world throughout U.S. History.
• New York is also a major Cultural Center for
  fashion and the arts. Broadway, once just a
  street name, is now the seal of quality for a
  whole genre of theatre which integrate music and
  dance into the plot. Broadway musicals are
  performed nationwide, but to attend a performance
  on Broadway is, for many, the ultimate theatre
  experience.

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Religion

• Many early settlers came to America seeking
  religious freedom. As a result, religion was very
  important in the original colonies!
• Puritans Probably the best-known group of early
  American settlers, the Puritans first began the
  idea of a City on a Hill the creation of a
  community which would set a positive example for
  everyone who sees it
• The Salem Witch Trials one of the most
  sensational events of U.S. religious history took
  place in New England

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Financial Center

• The Northeast is a booming financial and economic
  center for the United States, perhaps best
  symbolized by New Yorks World Trade Center
  (which is now even more widely known after Sept.
  11, 2001)
• New York Citys Stock Exchange is also of central
  importance to businesses and investors worldwide
• Major urban centers can be found especially
  concentrated along the coastline and in the
  Mid-Atlantic region

New York Stock Exchange
Philadelphia, a.k.a. Philly
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The South At a Glance

• Traditionally an agricultural region cotton and
  tobacco were major exports in early colonial days
• Traditionally less urban, more relaxed, more
  nature
• Becoming a very popular destination more and
  more people are moving south!
• Colorful history and culture from the
  Confederacy to Civil Rights conflicts to rednecks
  and Texas The South is a diverse and proud
  region!

Magnolias these blooming trees are strongly
associated with the Southern United States
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Cultural basics

• Friendly atmosphere neighborly
• Slow pace of life time for fishing, sitting on
  the front porch, enjoying life
• More traditional life of small-town America
  old-fashioned home-cooked food, leave your doors
  unlocked, friendly, neighborly attitudes,
  neighborhood church, etc. (popular idea of
  Mayberry)

The Andy Griffith Show features small-town
Southern life in the fictional town of Mayberry,
NC
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The Civil War

• We often associate the Civil War with the issue
  of slavery. However, many Southerners would
  emphasize that the Confederacy in fact had other
  reasons to want to separate from the Union!
  Economic, as well as cultural differences made
  many Southerners eager to be free of the Northern
  Yankee.
• Throughout the nation, Civil War enthusiasts
  attempt to bring history to life by reinacting
  battles as precisely as possible (no actual
  casualties result!). Along with these reinactors
  come collectors and vendors peddling guns,
  personal items that soldiers would have used
  during that time a true step back in time.

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Civil Rights and Racism

• Rosa Parks made a stand for Southern blacks as
  she refused to give up her seat to a white man on
  a bus. This bold act of protest may have seemed
  small at the time, but she is still known by
  students across America for her courage!
• The KKK a White Supremacist group known for its
  violent treatment of minorities is still active
  in much of the South. They were greatly feared at
  the height of their power, due to the common
  practices of lynching and cross-burnings.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. was also a minister in a
  church in Birmingham, Alabama. The peaceful
  methods of resistance that he encouraged
  contrasted greatly to the predominantly violent
  approaches of Malcolm X and the Black Panthers

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African American population centered in the South
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Miss (Southern) Manners

• Manners are very important among traditional
  Southerners. Politeness and propriety are key
  values, and children are taught to address elders
  by maam and sir - especially in the Deep
  South!
• Proper social behavior is important in order to
  succeed in the community
• The idea of Southern Hospitality is also an
  important element of the social code A Southern
  Belle must never be caught without a (home-baked)
  treat to offer to visitors!

Southern Belles always behave themselves in
public!
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Nashville, Tennessee

• Its been said that everyone in Nashville is a
  musician. While this is not quite true, Nashville
  is the country music capital of the world! A
  number of important recording studios are based
  there, and many musicians of all levels live in
  this town.

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Stereotypical Images
Tornadoes are a common occurrence in the Midwest,
and Kansas is particularly famous for them. (the
film The Wizard of Oz includes a tornado in
Kansas). For storm chasers, the Midwest is an
ideal destination in springtime, peak season.
The Midwest, particularly the plains states, are
so flat that you can see for miles. With no hills
to wind around, the flat, straight roads of the
plain states make it easy (and tempting) for
people to drive through very quickly (look out
for speeding tickets!)
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Midwest

• The Breadbasket! Why is the Midwest called the
  breadbasket of the United States? Because most of
  the grain used to feed the entire nation (and
  beyond) is grown here! From early pioneer
  settlers, who faced daily grueling work just to
  survive, to modern mega-farmers with huge
  productivity, farming has always been the main
  business of the Midwest.

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The Lay of the Land

• Spacious, by comparison to the East, but less so
  than further West towns tend to grow through
  urban sprawl industries, businesses, and
  homes developed amid plenty of space
• Prairies, plains, and rolling hills cover most of
  this region.

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Cultural Climate

• Midwest values There is generally a high
  emphasis on family values and hard work.
• Conservatism is prevalent, but not exclusive.
  (eg there are many red states, but plenty of
  blue spots as well). Patriotism, and a high sense
  of duty tend to be strong in this region.

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Early Settlers

• Much of the Midwest was settled directly by
  immigrants, including a large number of Northern
  Europeans. The area of Wisconsin and Minnesota
  have a heavy Scandinavian influence still, while
  Michigan shows evidence of its Dutch settlers
  (especially the area around Grand Rapids).
• Settlers faced harsh climates (extreme
  temperatures, droughts, tornadoes), isolation,
  conflicts with indigenous tribes, and many
  struggled to survive. Today, of course, life is
  much easier, but young Americans often learn
  about this pioneer life by reading Little House
  On the Prairie books, semi-autobiographical
  childrens novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The family-oriented television series Little
House on the Prairie depicts pioneer life as one
that requires hard work, strength, and cooperation
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Chicago, Illinois

• Also known as the windy city, Chicago is the
  financial and economic capital of the Midwest.
• Originally known for meatpacking, Chicago still
  holds strong associations with the cow. Probably
  the most famous American cow in history lived in
  Chicago. Mrs. OLearys cow has historically
  been blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire
  of 1871 which burned down thousands of homes in
  the city.

The Sears Tower, until recently, was worlds
tallest building
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West

• Native Americans are often associated with the
  Western United States. Many of the best-known
  struggles occurred here (Little Big Horn, for
  example).
• A large majority of those Native Americans who
  still identify with their tribe today live out
  west on reservations or in towns.
• Some tribes had lived in the West for
  generations. Others had been driven out by white
  settlers, and later the U.S. government, and
  assigned new territory. The Cherokee nations
  Trail of Tears sent a peaceful, cooperative,
  and already-displaced community farther West from
  the Tennessee valley to make room for settlers.

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Natural Beauty

• The Western United States offers some of the most
  magnificent natural beauty in the country. The
  number of National Parks alone make the West
  worth a visit, if you have the time!
• It is hard to realize how spacious the U.S. is
  until you go out west. The trip that once took
  many months can now be done in a few days, but
  driving across the West is not a quick trip any
  way you look at it!

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Some National Parks
Yellowstone Old Faithful
Redwood Forest, California
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Badlands, South Dakota
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Settlers

• What brought white settlers out west? For some,
  it was the promise of land ownership. For others,
  a desire for adventure led them West. Still
  others had religious reasons (the Mormons in
  Utah). But the biggest and best-known flow of
  settlers came with the California Gold Rush of
  1849!
• Boom Towns were created as prospectors arrived
  in certain sites, hoping to strike it rich.
  Later, when enthusiasm had waned, many of these
  became ghost towns.

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Settlers, contd

• Those who moved out West originally knew that
  they would probably never again see family and
  friends who they were leaving behind. Great
  opportunities lay ahead of them, but many
  sacrifices had to be made as well. As with many
  pioneers before them, independence and hardiness
  were necessary for such a move.

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San Francisco

• Known for its liberal values, its gay population,
  its trolleys, and the Golden Gate Bridge, San
  Francisco is a city worth exploring!
• SanFran has a funky, unique atmosphere, a
  diverse community, and a rich history and
  heritage
• On a nearby island is Alcatraz, the former
  maximum-security prison also known as The Rock,
  reserved for the most hardened criminals

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I want to know more!
Choose a region above that youd like to explore
some more! (other options)
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Non region-specific projects
Learn about some American Sports!
Civil rights and race relations
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Projects for the Northeast

• A Nation founded on a dream learn about the
  founding fathers (eg Benjamin Franklin great
  website!)
• Academic strength a basis for a strong
  workforce the Ivy League look into
  requirements to get in, academic programs, alumni
  statistics What makes these schools special? Are
  they really better than others?
• Rural Northeast What kinds of things would
  visitors to New England expect to see and do? How
  about New England seafood (clam chowder)? What
  can you do to get away?
• Choose a city (NYC, Boston) and investigate its
  history, and how this relates to its present-day
  importance.

Start research / go to webpage
Return to options
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American Sports

• Learn about American Football!! How is it played?
  What are the positions? Where did it originate?
  What leagues exist? What equipment is needed?
  Etc.
• Baseball, Americas Pastime, is still widely
  unknown in Europe. Its history is rich with links
  to popular culture, the arts, even civil rights.
• Lacrosse, which originated as a Native American
  game, is a little-known sport worldwide, but it
  is gaining popularity in the United States. Learn
  more about its history, how it is played, and its
  place in the sporting world today

Start research/go to webpage back to options
more sports topics
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More on sports

• Look into sports teams, and how they represent
  the area. Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers, or San
  Francisco 49ers? Why are Wisconsins Green Bay
  fans called cheeseheads? There has also been
  controversy in recent years over mascots that
  represent specific people groups, particularly
  Native Americans in potentially insulting ways.
  Does a teams mascot really matter? Do the name
  and symbol play a role in helping fans to
  identify with the team?

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Civil Rights

• Compare the approach of Martin Luther King (as
  seen in his I Have A Dream speech) to that of
  Malcolm X. How did their goals, their
  philosophies, and their methods line up? Did they
  want the same things? What strengths do you see
  in each approach? What weaknesses?
• What comparisons can you make between the African
  American community and Native Americans? Which
  group, in your opinion, was treated worst? Who
  suffered the most? Who seems to be better off now
  in American society?
• (to tackle these questions, see the Civil Rights
  page)

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Projects for the South

• Learn more about Southern culture by exploring
  southern websites what do they seem to value?
  How do they present themselves? How can you tell
  a Southerner from any other American?
• How have the issues of racial identity and
  integration progressed over time? What about
  racism today? Look at the KKK website what do
  they have to say for themselves?
• Read up about the Civil War. Try to find
  information from both a Union and from a
  Confederate perspective. We tend to learn our
  history through the eyes of the victors. What
  about the South?

Start research/go to web page
Return to options
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Midwest

• The Midwest is known for its cultural
  conservatism. Can you find evidence of this from
  looking at state websites? Do you see anything
  that points in other directions?
• Farming has remained a cornerstone of the
  Midwests economy. How do organizations like FFA
  (Future Farmers of America), and 4H contribute to
  the farming community. What about State Fairs?
  See if you can make any links.

Start research/ go to web page
Return to options
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West

• Native Americans are often associated with the
  Western United States because the later struggles
  occurred in the West. What can you learn about
  their societies, their struggles, and their
  current position in U.S. society?
• What about the white settlers? What attracted
  them to the West? Who were the 49ers? Whats a
  ghost town? What is it like to live in the West
  today?
• The West is unbelievably spacious, and much of it
  is sparsely populated. A large proportion of the
  best-known National Parks are found in the West,
  and back-to-nature is a common value. Plan a
  trip out west and decide which parks, and which
  sites and activities you would most like to see
  and do. Keep in mind the driving time/distance
  between places! (mapquest)

Go to the West web page
Return to options
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Some Stereotypes

• Americans loud, rude, bold, fat, always eat fast
  food, creative, daring, risk-takers
• Southerners slow-speaking, rural, uneducated,
  unsophisticated, friendly, polite, racist,
• Yankees busy/hurried, urban, sophisticated,
  fashionable, successful, unfriendly
• Midwesterners rural, hard-working,
  conscientious, religious, family-oriented
• Westerners adventurous, outdoorsy, cowboys, wild

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About stereotypes

• Remember that stereotypes are often derived from
  some observation that is true, but are never
  accurate when applied to a whole group of people!
• Which of the stereotypes you came up with are
  positive? Which are negative?
• Which ones do you think most accurately reflect
  the culture of each region? Keep these things in
  mind as you further explore the U.S.A.

Im ready to Explore!