What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

American Studies explores the United States through its history, diverse cultures and global role

What is American Studies?

History Literature

Culture

FilmTrade

Music

Economics

Foreign PolicyGeography

Religion

What is American Studies?

So remember…

“It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see”

Henry David Thoreau, American author and philosopher

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, American author and philosopher

What is American Studies?

QuickquizHow much do you already know about the USA?

What is American Studies?

QuickquizWhich is the largest state in the US?A. TexasB. AlaskaC. California

Answer: B. Alaska

What is American Studies?

QuickquizWhich of the following is NOT a real museum in the US?A. The shark tooth museumB. The museum of deathC. The hamburger hall of fame

Answer: A. The shark tooth museum

What is American Studies?

QuickquizWhen did America declare its independence from Britain?A. 1492B. 1776C. 1914

Answer: B. 1776

What is American Studies?

QuickquizThe classic American novel Moby Dick tells the story of a hunt for what?A. a bearB. a criminalC. a whale

Answer: C. a whale

What is American Studies?

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”Ralph Waldo Emerson, American author and philosopher

Patterns of Colonial RuleParallel Rule vs. Indirect Rule- Britain Assimilation- France Portugal and FranceVice Royalty-SpainSpecial Role of Settler Colonies

p25

Cortez

p25

QE I

Hudson Bay Company•Royal Charter Company•Oldest Joint Stock Company in the English Speaking World

Hudson Bay Company

•Trade and Fur•Hudson Bay Drainage•Prince Rupert, son of Charles II•Protect family and political investment

15

Hudson Bay Company •Raw Materials

–Beaver Pelts •Arms

–Muskets •Dumping

–“trinkets”

16

p26

RALEGH

Trade Network

Captured Africans became part of network called the triangular trade

First leg of triangle: ships carrying European goods to Africa to be exchanged for slaves

Second leg: Middle Passage, brought Africans to Americas to be sold

Third leg carried American products to Europe

Africa

A

B

C

Europe

The

Caribbean Islands

Map 2-1 p27

Map 3-4 p51

Map 2-3 p36

Map 5-1 p79

Map 5-2 p83

p81

Map 6-1 p99

Map 6-2 p100

What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

p203

Map 11-1 p204

Map 11-3 p215

What is American Studies?

What is American Studies?

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”Ralph Waldo Emerson, American author and philosopher

Chapter 3.1 Basic Principles of the US ConstitutionThe Constitution is the foundation on which our government and society are based.

There are 7 Articles!

Articles = sections.

U.S. Constitution, Article Iestablishes Legislative BranchBicameral

Senate and House of Representatives

Duties given to Legislative Body Make our lawsAppropriate MoneyRegulate ImmigrationEstablish Post Offices and RoadsRegulate Interstate Commerce and

TransportationDeclare WarImpeach POTUS

U.S. Constitution, Article IIExecutive branch

The President of the United States

Approves or vetoes laws made by Congress

Carries out laws made by CongressAppoints federal court judges Negotiates treaties with foreign nations

Commander in ChiefOf all militaries

U.S. Constitution, Article IIIestablished Judicial Branch

Supreme Court has final say over any public case in America

Interprets the meaning of lawsRules whether laws passed by Congress are constitutional or notRules whether POTUS has acted accordingly

Done when Congress tries to impeach POTUS

U.S. Constitution, Article IVGives ‘full faith and credit’ to each States

Forces other states to recognize all government acts done by any state

Drivers licenseMarriage documentsBirth records

U.S. Constitution, Article VCongress can propose Amendments to the US Constitution with 2/3 votes by States. There are 27 amendments today added to the US Constitution!

Can you name any?

U.S. Constitution, Article VIAll debts owned by America at time of ratification will be recognized and must be paid back. Also, stipulates that the US Constitution is the ‘supreme law of the land’

Even over any state Constitutions.

U.S. Constitution, Article VII

Stipulates 9 out of 13 states must sign the Constitution in order for it to be ratified.

5 basic principles of US Constitution

Popular SovereigntyThe people hold the ultimate authority

A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them

Limited GovernmentFramers wanted to guard against tyrannyGovernment is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

Federalism

The division of power between State and National GovernmentsSome powers are sharedThe National Government has the “supreme power”

Separation of Powers

The Bill of RightsThe First 10 Amendments to the Constitution

Take notes on the slides as they appear.Draw pictures to represent at least five of the amendments.

1st AmendmentThe 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition.

This means that we all have the right to:practice any religion we want to to speak freelyto assemble (meet)to address the government (petition)to publish newspapers, TV, radio, Internet (press)

2nd AmendmentThe 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun.

3rd Amendment

The 3rd Amendment says “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”This means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers.

4th Amendment

The 4th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that the police must have a warrant to enter our homes. It also means the government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason).

5th Amendment

The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, (accused) You may not be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy)You don’t have to testify against yourself in court. (Self-incrimination)

6th AmendmentThe 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial (you can’t be kept in jail for over a year without a trial) an impartial jury (doesn’t already think you are guilty)that the accused can confront witnesses against them the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer

7th Amendment

The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial.A civil trial differs from a criminal trial. A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime.

8th AmendmentThe 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.

9th Amendment

All rights not stated in the Constitution and not forbidden by the Constitution belong to the people.This means that the states can do what they want if the Constitution does not forbid it.

10th Amendment

The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people.

Amendments 11-27

12th Amendment

Electoral College has separate ballots for President and Vice-President

Electoral College

Presidential Ballot

Electoral CollegeVice-Presidential Ballot

Obama

McCain

Biden Palin

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery!!!

14th Amendment

Any one born in the U.S. is a citizen.

Equal protected by the law.

15th AmendmentVoting rights could not be denied because of race or color (or could it?).

Should I vote?

Or, do I feed my family?

16th Amendment

The federal government can tax our income.

Great, all I need is a bill from the

IRS!

17th AmendmentPrior to the 17th Amendment, the state legislatures chose the senators, but…

With the passage of the 17th, the PEOPLE directly elect their senators.

You better do a good job if you want to be

reelected

N.C. Senators

Richard Burr Kay Hagen

18th Amendment

This is known as prohibition.See amendment 21.

19th AmendmentGives women the right to vote.

We finally have suffrage rights.

23rd Amendment

Citizens of Washington, D.C. (our U.S. Capital) receive the right to vote in presidential elections. Washington, D.C. is given 3 electoral votes.

24th Amendment

OutlawsOutlaws Poll Taxes

27th Amendment

Congress can give themselves a pay raise, but they have to wait until after the next election before they can get it.

©Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

The Canadian Constitution

The History of Canada’s Constitution

One of the most important early Canadian constitutional documents was the British North America Act 1867.By this act the colonies of Canada (Ontario and Quebec) were united with the colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

A Federal UnionOne Central Government

A Federal Union for Canada in 1867

Two sections of this act listed the powers of the central government and the provinces.Section 91 - listed the powers of the central or federal government.Section 92 - listed the powers of the provinces.

Section 91The powers of the federal government included

Section 92This section listed the powers of the provinces including

The Statute of Westminster 1931By this British law Canada became a self governing dominion.This meant that laws passed by the Canadian government could not be overturned by Britain.It also meant that British law no longer applied in Canada.

Constitutional Patriation 1982To patriate means to bring home.The process required that the British government revoke the BNA Act of 1867.It further required that Canada enact its own written constitution.

What problems were faced by the Trudeau government?Federal-Provincial

agreement in Canada.A formula to amend the constitution.The Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Federal-Provincial DisagreementThe provinces and the central government had difficulty finding any common ground to achieve Mr. Trudeau’s goal of a patriated constitution.The political leaders of each province wanted to ensure that new constitutional arrangements were advantageous to them.

The Charter of Rights and FreedomsMr. Trudeau wanted an entrenched Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Canada Act 1982

Aboriginal Rights“The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized…”For many aboriginal people this was insufficient.

Fundamental Freedoms (s.2)

Freedom of conscience and religionFreedom of belief and expression

Freedom of associationFreedom of peaceful assemblyThe provinces feared that these were too broad and as a result they were limited by the notwithstanding clause of section 33. of the Charter.

Democratic Rights (ss. 3-5)

The right to voteThe right to run for elected officeElections are to be called once every five years.Parliament and legislatures must sit once in every 12 months.

Mobility Rights (s. 6)

The right to leave and to return to CanadaThe right to move anywhere in Canada to live and workReasonable residency is required for access to social services and permanent residents in need could be given assistance first.Provinces cannot limit the right of non residents to own property.

Legal Rights (ss. 7-14)“the right to life, liberty and the security of the person”This limits the power of government to detain or to deny people basic liberty except “in accordance with principles of fundamental justice.”Legal rights can be limited by the “notwithstanding” clause of section 33.

Legal Rights II

Arbitrary arrest is not allowed.Police cannot unreasonably search any person.You must be informed of the reason for your arrest.You must be informed of your right to retain a lawyer.

Legal Rights IIIYou must be informed of your offense.You must be tried in a reasonable time.You are presumed innocent until found guilty by the courts.You cannot be denied reasonable bail.You cannot be forced to give evidence against yourself.

Equality Rights (s. 15)

You have legal equality regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability.Affirmative action programs do allow special treatment for those who are disadvantaged.These rights may be limited by the “notwithstanding” provisions of section 33.

Language Rights (ss. 16-22)The bilingual status of Canada is recognized.The equality of French and English in Parliament is confirmed.Federal agencies must provide services in both French and English.Either language can be used in federal courts.Native people can still use their languages in court.

Minority Language Rights (s. 23)These apply only to Canadian citizens and not new immigrants.English or French speaking minorities can have their children educated in their own language.

It must be the parents first language.

Provinces need only provide minority language schools where there are sufficient numbers to justify the cost.

What is American Studies?

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

Conestoga Covered Wagons

Conestoga Trail, 1820sConestoga Trail, 1820s

Erie Canal System

Erie Canal, 1820s

Begun in 1817; completed in 1825Begun in 1817; completed in 1825

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

1807: The 1807: The ClermontClermont

Principal Canals in 1840

Inland Freight Rates

Clipper Ships

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

Immigrant laborImmigrant laborbuilt the No. built the No. RRs.RRs.

Slave laborSlave laborbuilt the So. built the So. RRs. RRs.

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Actually Actually invented by a invented by a

slave!slave!

Eli Whitney’s Gun Factory

Interchangeable Parts RifleInterchangeable Parts Rifle

OliverEvans

First prototype of the First prototype of the locomotivelocomotive

First automated flour millFirst automated flour mill

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Samuel F. B. Morse

1840 – Telegraph1840 – Telegraph

Cyrus Field & the Transatlantic Cable,

1858

Elias Howe & Isaac Singer

1840s1840sSewing MachineSewing Machine

Boom/Bust Cycles: 1790-1860

The blue line shows, for comparison, the price of a The blue line shows, for comparison, the price of a year’s tuition at Harvard College. In 1790 it was $24, year’s tuition at Harvard College. In 1790 it was $24, but by 1860 had risen to $104.but by 1860 had risen to $104.

Distribution of Wealthv During the American During the American

Revolution,Revolution,45% of all wealth in the top 45% of all wealth in the top 10% of10% ofthe population.the population.v 1845 Boston 1845 Boston top 4% owned top 4% owned

overover 65% of the wealth. 65% of the wealth.v 1860 Philadelphia 1860 Philadelphia top 1% top 1% ownedowned over 50% of the wealth. over 50% of the wealth.v The gap between rich and poor The gap between rich and poor waswas widening! widening!

Polarization of Wealth in the 20c

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814

Lowell Mill

Early Textile Mill Loom Floor

Early Textile Loom

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

New England Dominance in Textiles

Early “Union” Newslett

er

American Population Centers in 1820

American Population Centers in 1860

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

Why now?Why now?

Industrialization,

Urbanization, and

Immigration1865-1924

What is the Industrial Revolution about? ProductionTransportationImmigrationRise of CitiesDecline in pop from rural areasCorruptionUnion ActivismRacism/NativismReform- (Progressives- Fix the problems of industrial society)

When does the Industrial Revolution take place?

Various periods of American History1st Industrial Revolution 1800-1860 begins in early 1800’s with textile manufacturing and iron production2nd IR really takes off in the latter part of 1800’s, ca 1870-1915

Sources of Industrial Growth1. Raw materials2. Large Labor Supply3. Technological Innovation4. Entrepreneurs5. Federal Gov = eager to support

business6. Domestic Markets for goods7. Business Organization

Iron and Steel1870-1880s Iron Production soaredThen Steel= 40,000 miles of track

Aided by the Bessemer ProcessBlowing air and secret ingredients through

molten iron to burn out impurities Blast FurnaceOpen Hearth Furnace

I Beam allowed sky scrappersNew Furnaces 500 tons per week

Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Steel towns- Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, BirmighamMichigan, Minnesota, Birmingham AL (Iron Ore)

Rail Roads: B and O, Pennsylvania, Reading, Short Line, Southern Pacific, Central Pacific Railroad Industry

spurs developmentIron for Engines, and rails, later steel Farms, lumber, Buffalo HuntersEmployment- Chinese in West, and Irish in EastAids transportation, access to raw materials and markets, spurs construction

Land is granted to RR companies in exchange for building the RR- esp Transcontinental RRLater RR will own tremendous amount of land and sell it to people moving WEST

By 1880s there are 150,000 miles of Rail creating an national economy.

Rail Roads continuedStandard Time (4 zones)

Growth of Track1860- 52,000 miles1870- 93,000 miles1890- 163,000 miles1900- 193,000 miles

Chicago is a major rail hub-Government paid subsidies, $ to RR in order to complete and aid in Western railroad development

The Big 4 Famous RR executives Stanford, Huntington, Vanderbilt, Crocker

•Airplane- •Wright Bros•Orville and Wilbur •1903 Kitty Hawk, NC

Taylorism= Scientific ManagementProduction process should be Divided into specialized tasksEach task speeds up productionTrain all workers to do unskilled jobs “Makes workers interchangeable”

Captains of Industry or Robber Barons?

John D. RockefellerStandard OilBought out competition1881 Standard Oil Trust controlled 90% of oil refinery businessUsed horizontal integration to ruthlessly control and conquer the Oil industryJim Fisk and Jay Gould

Corrupt business practicesInvestments

Andrew Carnegie (1873)Pennsylvania Steel WorksCut costsMade deals with RRsBought rival copmaniesHenry Clay Frick managerOwned coal minesIron minesShipsControlled from mine to marketUsed vertical integrationCarnegie Steel 1901 (sold to J.P. Morgan$450 MillionUS Steel later worth $1.4 Billion)

Rise of Big BusinessBy 1900 the American economy was dominated by business monopolies or trusts, huge business empiresTrusts in sugar, cotton, tobacco, meat, flour, and even whiskeyNumber of industrial combinations rose from 12 to 305 between 1887 and 1903

2,600 smaller firms disappearedBy 1900, 1 % of all companies produced 40%

of the manufacturing outputGAPE saw the rise of the modern corporation

Used 14th Amendment to gain “personhood” and rights

Immigration Statistics1860-1920 -- aprox. 30 million European immigrants1880-1920 -- appox. 27 million European immigrants2 “Waves” of immigrants

1860-1890 -- (approx. 10mil) Britain, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Holland

1890-1920 -- (approx. 20mil) Italy, Greece, Austro-Hungary, Russia, Romania, Turkey

Chinese Immigrants

In 1851, a racist from NC named Hinton Helper left his home state to get away from what he referred to as the “diversity of color” in America’s more settled regions.

He traveled to California and was shocked to find Chinese people living there—so much so that he wondered out loud if the “copper” of the Pacific would cause as much discord and dissension as the “ebony” had on the Atlantic.

Between 1850 and 1882 the Chinese pop in the U.S. soared from 7,520 to 300,000. Chinese comprised 8.6 percent of California’s total pop and an impressive 25% of its wage earners.

Chinese ExclusionIn calling for Chinese exclusion, one San Francisco paper referred to them as morally inferior heathen savages who were overly lustful and sensual. Chinese women were condemned as a depraved class, which was attributed in large part to their physical appearance. Critics thought they looked like Africans. Chinese men were portrayed as a sexual threat to white women.

Chinese also compared to Indians and referred to as the “new barbarians.”