Ethnic groups in the USA

1
Ethnic groups in the USA
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American Indians/Native

• Original settlers over 20,000 years ago.
• Only 1 or 2 of the population.
• Pushed off land and massacred by white settlers
  and U.S. govt in the nineteenth century.
• Forced onto reservations for each tribe. (Navajo,
  Kiowa, etc)
• Recognised as the poorest and most disadvantaged
  group in America.
• Many American Indians live off the reservations.

3
White Americans

• White immigration started properly in the early
  1600s from England.
• The largest ethnic group at roughly 70 of the
  population.
• Large groups include those from Italy, Poland,
  England, Germany, Sweden and Holland.
• The wealthiest and most influential group in
  America.
• Political class traditionally WASPs (White Anglo
  Saxon Protestants)
• Many whites feel under pressure from immigration,
  particularly Hispanic/Latino

4
African Americans

• Descendents of African slaves brought to the Old
  South.
• The third largest group at 13 of the population.
• Have long suffered economic, social and political
  discrimination.
• The 1960s saw major improvements in Black rights.
• Proportionally still among the most disadvantaged
  in America.
• Many Blacks now prospering though millions caught
  in the underclass
• Barack Obamas Presidency does not mean the
  problem is solved.

5
Hispanic (Latino) Americans

• Term given to people who belong to Spanish
  speaking groups.
• Split into sub groups Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto
  Ricans and Central/South American.
• The 2nd largest ethnic grouping in America at
  roughly 15.
• Sub-groups all have different political
  affiliations and reasons for being in the USA.
• More successful socio-economically than Blacks
  but still a long way from Whites in terms of
  equality.
• Immigration among the key political issues in
  America

6
Asian/Pacific Islanders

• Principally from China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and
  the Pacific islands
• Roughly 4 of the population.
• Mainly settled on the West coast though not
  exclusively.
• In general more socio-economically successful
  than Blacks and Hispanics.
• Numbers are increasing at a dramatic rate.