文化课2.ppt

Traditional American Values and Beliefs (Chapter 2﹢8) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ---- The Declaration of Independence Main Contents The context of traditional American values: racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity Six traditional American values The American dream Basic American Beliefs ﹠ Values The Context of American Values: Racial, Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Diversity Racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity --- Indians (N American Continent), Spanish (SW), French (Mis. River), Blacks, Dutch (NY), German (Pen.), British (SE, N) The context of American values: racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity 1600s~1776 (birth of US) the first immigration wave ---- most immigrants from northern Europe, mainly from England. They shaped the values and traditions that became the dominant culture of the US. 1815~1915 about 35 million new immigrants moved in. (including Chinese and Japanese) Many from central, eastern, and southern Europe not the North. The context of American values: racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity 1921, US started to limit immigration. (Immigration Act of 1924 ;A quota system ) 1965, immigration laws changed. 1960s, 300,000 ~ 1990s, over a million (per year). Late 1990s, 90% of the immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. The present population is 25% nonwhite (black, Hispanic and Asian). . The context of American values: racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity 3 terms ---- Melting pot, Salad bowl, Mosaic Melting pot (1908 Israel playwright, 1 mill. more) America is God’s Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and re-for