In the 1790 census, the American population counted close to 4 million. The census of 2000 counted almost 300 million. How many Americans will there be in the future?

Vocabulary
event, surge, opportunity, persecution, dilution, attitude
Immigration and Population

In 1775, in the era of the War of Independence, there were less than four million Americans. Until 1848, the population was rather small. This was changed by two important historical events; the fact that gold was found in California (1848) and the Homestead Act (1862), an act of law giving away land to farmers.
The population surged after this. Suddenly millions of immigrants came to “the land of opportunity” or “The Promised Land”. Within 50 years, the U.S. population tripled. Until 1840, mainly British people came, but more and more immigrants from Western Europe began to arrive. They came from countries such as Germany, Norway and Ireland. Immigration from southern and eastern parts of Europe and the Far East gradually increased after 1880. Poverty and political persecution were some of the reasons why people emigrated and sought freedom in the “New World”.

The U.S. has traditionally been more open to immigration than other countries. However, since the beginning of the 20th century, and especially after the First World War, many Americans have wanted a more restrictive immigration policy. Those favoring restrictions warn against overpopulation, unemployment, poorer social conditions and a dilution of national identity. Others, with a more inclusive attitude, welcome the cultural riches ethnicity represents. Neither the Native Americans nor the African Americans are immigrants in the traditional sense.
Since 1965, people from countries such as Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and Asiatic countries have been entering the U.S., and some people claim that the USA is changing its color. By the year 2050, whites may have become a minority group.
Tasks and Activities
Comprehension
Immigration and Population - Multiple Choice
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Task - Immigration and Population
Paragraph
Find Out
- How many Americans there are at the moment. Use Population Clock .
- How many Americans will there be in 2020? Use United States Population . Click on Population Projections in the menu.
- Look at the statistics below. Which is the fastest growing immigrant group?
Ethnic Group | 2010 | 2050 |
---|---|---|
Whites | 79.5% | 74.0% |
Non-Hispanic Whites | 64.7% | 46.3% |
Hispanics/Latinos | 16.0% | 30.2% |
African Americans | 12.9% | 13.0" |
Asian Americans | 4.6% | 7.8% |
Læringsressurser
A nation of immigrants
Fagstoff
- Kjernestoff
Immigration and PopulationDu er her
Waves of Immigration
KjernestoffMelting Pot and Salad Bowl
KjernestoffOn the Way to the Melting Pot
KjernestoffNorwegian Immigration
KjernestoffImmigrants and Refugees
KjernestoffTwo Kinds (Short Story)
KjernestoffCarl Sandburg: Chicago
KjernestoffNative Americans Today
KjernestoffNative Americans - Forced Removal
KjernestoffNative Americans - The Trail of Tears
KjernestoffTony's Story (Short Story)
KjernestoffThe Bean Trees (Novel Excerpt)
KjernestoffThe Last Leaf (Short Story)
KjernestoffThe Kite Runner (Novel Excerpt)
KjernestoffHarrison Bergeron (Radio Play)
Kjernestoff
Oppgaver og aktiviteter
Task 1 - Immigration and Population
KjernestoffTask 2 - Immigration and Population
KjernestoffTask - Waves of Immigration
KjernestoffTask - The Melting Pot
KjernestoffTasks - Two Kinds
KjernestoffTask 1 - African Americans Today
KjernestoffTask 2 - African Americans Today
KjernestoffTask - Native Americans Today
KjernestoffTask - Native Americans - Ancestral Voices
KjernestoffTasks - Tony's Story
KjernestoffSherman Alexie: Missed Connections
KjernestoffTasks - The Bean Trees
KjernestoffMultiple Choice task - The Bean Trees
KjernestoffTasks - The Last Leaf
KjernestoffMultiple choice task -The Last Leaf
KjernestoffMultiple choice task - The Kite Runner
KjernestoffTasks - Harrison Bergeron
KjernestoffComprehension task - Harrison Bergeron
Kjernestoff
Kildemateriale
Million Dollar Baby (Film)
Kjernestoff