Chapter 6 Human Geography of the United States: Shaping an Abundant Land - PowerPoint Presentation

Chapter 6 Human Geography of the United States: Shaping an Abundant Land The United States has grown both physically and economically. In the 20th century, the U.S. set aside isolationism and became the world’s sole superpower. 1

Section 1: History and Government of the United StatesThe 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.2 http://globalvillage.us/about-the-village/melting-pot/

Creating a Nation Room to MoveThe United States:occupies two-fifths of North America world’s third largest country in land area, populationRich resources and moderate climate have always attracted immigrants constant migration —movement—of peoples within the country 3

Many Peoples Settle the LandBy 11,000 B.C. Asian nomads spread out, develop different cultures Spaniards are first Europeans to arrive in the “New World”St. Augustine (Florida) is oldest permanent European settlement (1565)In the early 1600s French settlers arrivesettle northern Atlantic Coast along St. Lawrence River (Canada)interested in fisheries and fur trade 4

Many Peoples Settle the LandAbout the same time English settlers land settle Atlantic Coast from present-day Maine to Georgiafirst permanent English settlement Jamestown, Virginia (1607)Displace Native Americans, bring African slaves to work plantationsColumbian Exchange between Old, New Worlds: plants, animals, disease 5 http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/maps/english_colonies/

Establishing and Maintaining the Union French and English fight over trade and territory in North AmericaEnglish gain control of everything east of Mississippi in 1763American Revolution (1775–1783): British colonies form United States1803 Louisiana Purchase from France doubles size of U.S.includes plains between Mississippi and Rockies 6

Establishing and Maintaining the Union In early 1800s Western European immigrants arrive in large numberssettle in Northeast industrial cities, Midwest farmlandsSectionalism—loyalty to region over nation—grows, creates tension industrial North versus agricultural South and its slave labor Civil War fought between North and South from 1861 to 1865 7

An Industrial and Urban Society Westward MovementPioneers venture west over rugged terrain during mid- to late 1800sOregon Trail—2,000 miles, 6 months over prairie, desert, mountainsGovernment moved Native Americans off land by treaty, forceTranscontinental railroad completed 1869Frontier — free, open land between the Mississippi and the Pacific fully settled with about 17 million people by 1890s 8

Industrialization and Urbanization14 million European immigrants enter U.S. between 1860 and 1900 go west or to urban centers like New York, Cleveland, Detroit, ChicagoRather than farm, many work in textile, steel, oil, food processing9

World Power and Domestic ChangeLooking Beyond Its Borders U.S. avoided involvement in foreign affairs during its growth periodhad own resources, food, factories; separated from conflicts by oceansChanged by depression and world wars; only strong economy after WWII10 Rosie the Riveter, 1942 http://www.archive.ccm.edu

Social Change and Technological Growth Rapid social change in second half of 20th centurymigration to suburbs—the communities outside citiesmigration from cold Northeast and Midwest to warmer South and WestImmigrants arrive from Latin America and AsiaUnrest in ’60s and ’70s: civil rights, feminist movement, Vietnam 11 http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Education/US-History/Civil-Rights-Movement.html

Living in a Global SocietyCold War (1945–1991): U.S. leads nations against communism, U.S.S.R.U.S. is sole superpower after collapse of European communism in 1991 12 President Reagan at the Berlin Wall History2u.com

Governing the People The United States’ Political SystemRepresentative democracy—people rule through elected representativesFederal republic—powers divided between national, state governmentsThree separate, equal branches:executive branch headed by president, carries out lawslegislative branch makes lawsjudicial branch interprets laws, reviews lower court decisions 13

Section 2: Economy and Culture of the United StatesThe United States has the world’s largest and most diversified economy. American products and popular culture are recognized around the world.14

Section 2: Economy and Culture of the United States The World’s Greatest Economic PowerThe U.S. LeadsWorld’s largest economy: agricultural, manufacturing, trade leaderU.S. accounts for more than 10% of world’s exportsexports—goods sold to another countrySuccess is due to resources, skilled labor, stable political system Free enterprise economy: privately owned resources, technology, businesses businesses operate for profit with little governmental control15

An Agricultural and Industrial Giant Due to fertile soil, early farm mechanization, U.S. accounts for:40% of world’s corn; 20% of cotton; 10% of wheat, cattle, hogsCrop farming in Midwest, South; livestock ranching in WestLargest industrial output in world includes:petroleum, steel, electronics, telecommunications, lumber, miningU.S. advances in electronics, computers revolutionize industry 16

An Agricultural and Industrial GiantIndustrial centers: older: Atlantic Coast, Great Lakesnewer: urban South, Pacific coastAreas become associated with certain products:Detroit: automobilesSeattle: aircraftSilicon Valley (northern California): computers 17

A Postindustrial EconomyA service industry produces a service rather than a productExamples: information processing, transportation, medicine, educationPostindustrial economy—manufacturing no longer dominantU.S. is leading importer and exporterexports raw materials, agricultural products, manufacturing goodsimports automobiles, electronics, machinery, apparel Canada and Mexico are major trade partners Multinationals —corporations that do business all over the world 18

A Diverse SocietyThe American Melting Pot Nation of immigrants; largest ethnic groups include:English/Irish/Scot, German, African, French, Italian, Polish, MexicanEuropeans ancestry accounts for 70% of population followed by:13% Hispanic, 12% African American, 4% Asian, 1% Native American 19

Languages and ReligionEnglish is dominant language, Spanish is second most commonReligious breakdown: 85% Christian (56% Protestant, 28% Catholic)Jews, Muslims 2% each20

The Arts and Popular Culture First artists Native Americans: pottery, weaving, carvingsAmerican styles bloom in 1800sliterature, landscape painting, architecture (skyscrapers)Hollywood is filmmaking center of U.S., supplies movies to the worldAmerican music developed from various ethnic groups:jazz, blues, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll have African-American origins country and bluegrass come from Southern whites of British ancestry 21

American Life TodayWhere Americans Live U.S. population: 280 million; 80% live in cities or suburbsEffective transportation (roads, railroads, airlines) aids mobility22

How Americans Live, Work, and PlayAlmost 50% of working-age Americans are employed Almost half are women; 70% have service industry jobsMore than 10% of Americans live in povertyKids age 6 to16 are required to attend school,90% attend public schools, which are free through secondary schoolU.S. has over 2,300 4-year public and private colleges, universitiesLeisure activities: hobbies, museums, libraries, TV, films, computerssports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, skiing 23

Section 3: Sub regions of the United StatesThe United States is divided into four major economic and cultural Sub regions. There are both similarities and differences among the sub regions of the United States.24 New England The South The Midwest The West

Section 3: Sub regions of the United StatesThe Northeast Region New England—six northern states of Northeast:Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mass., Rhode Island, ConnecticutMiddle Atlantic states: Pennsylvania, New York, New JerseyNortheast has only 5% of land, but 20% of population 25

America’s GatewayEuropeans settled here first; region served as immigration “gateway” Northeast was, and is, U.S. heart of trade, commerce, industryPhiladelphia, Boston, New York City: international trade centersU.S. industrialization fueled by Pennsylvania coal, iron- ore, and oil 26

America’s GatewayToday most people are employed in manufacturing, service industries Rich farmland in Pennsylvania, New York, New JerseyNew England too hilly, rocky for much agriculture“Rust belt”: some Mid-Atlantic industry declined, moved south, west27

Growth of the Megalopolis Megalopolis—several large cities grow together“BoWash:” Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.500 miles; 1/6 of U.S. population; connected by road, rail, air links 28 http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s/439060-maryland-delaware-part-south-north-12.html

The Midwest RegionThe Midwest —north-central U.S., known as the American Heartland1/5 of U.S. land, 1/4 of populationearly settlers came from Britain, Germany, Scandinavia29

Agricultural and Industrial HeartlandCentral location, soil, climate make it nation’s “breadbasket” corn, wheat, soy beans, meat, dairy; meat-packing, food-processingTrade, distribution on Great Lakes, Mississippi, with Chicago as hubcities near Great Lakes: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukeeon rivers: Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Omaha 30

Changing Face of the MidwestFarm numbers declining, more people working in service industries Metropolitan areas expand as people leave cities for suburbsPeople and industries moving to warmer South and West31

The South RegionThe South —1/4 of U.S. land, more than 1/3 of population 11 states were once part of the Civil War ConfederacyTexas was in Confederacy, sometimes considered part of Southwest32 Forestencyclopedia.net

The Old SouthVirginia was England’s first American colonySouth’s ethnic mix includes Africans, Hispanics, Cajuns, Creoles Once agricultural, rural; now rapidly changing, cities growing33

The New South Agriculture: cotton, tobacco, fruits, peanuts, rice, livestockEnergy resources and air conditioning boost industry in 1950s“Sunbelt” attracts manufacturing, tourists, retireesindustries: petroleum, steel, chemicals, textiles, electronicsmetropolitan areas—large cities and nearby suburbs, townsAtlanta (hub); Miami, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio 34 Atlanta, GA http://atlanta-best.com/

The West RegionThe West —from Great Plains to Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii1/2 of U.S. land, 1/5 of populationpeople settle where climate and landforms are most favorable35

Developing the WestCalifornia is most populous state Los Angeles the West’s cultural, commercial centerRapid 20th-century growth due to air conditioning, irrigationColorado River water diverted to Las Vegas, Tucson, PhoenixEconomy: foreign trade with Asia; varied industriesfarms, ranches, logging, fish, mines, oil, tourism, film, computers 36

BibliographyMcdougal Littell, World Geography. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2012 37