Americanization

Examples of Americanization in the following topics:

• American Entry into WWI

• American Isolationism

• The American-Japenese Relationship

• Civil Rights of Native Americans

  • Historical policies of American expansion have infringed upon the rights of Native Americans and have lead to long-term inequality.
  • Native Americans are people of indigenous American descent, including indigenous peoples within the boundaries of the present-day United States.
  • According to US Census data, 1.37% of Americans identify themselves as Native American.
  • During the initial phases of American colonization, European policy generally forced Native Americans westward, where there was a low density of European settlement.
  • Despite these efforts, Native Americans still tend to have lower socioeconomic status and greater exposure to crime and abuse than other American groups.

• American Indians and the War Effort

  • American Indians first saw action in the Pacific Theater along with the rest of the American army and navy.
  • American Indians were also among the first Americans to enter Germany and played a role in the Liberation of Berlin.
  • Many military awards offered to American Indian soldiers were later used during the termination period by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as proof that American Indians were eager to assimilate into white mainstream American culture.
  • The war's aftermath, says historian Allison Bernstein, marked a "new era in Indian affairs" and turned "American Indians" into "Indian Americans."
  • In 1940, only 5 percent of Native Americans lived in cities.

• Americanization and Pluralism

  • The outbreak of war in 1914 led to the "Americanization" campaign aimed at millions of immigrants to the U.S.
  • Still, the question of whether they were politically American or still harbored loyalties to their native countries brought about a widespread push for "Americanization" of immigrants, which included efforts by the government and private organizations to ensure they embraced full, long-term assimilation into American society.
  • Once Americanized, workers would embrace American influences such as industrial ideals and be less likely to follow strike agitators or foreign propagandists.
  • The National Americanization Committee, led by Kellor, was one of the most significant private organizations working toward Americanization.
  • Describe the rationale behind the "Americanization" of immigrants by the National Americanization Committee and the Committee for Immigrants in America.

• Settlers and Native Americans

  • Settlers' relations with Native Americans were difficult and fueled by conflicts over land.
  • During the American Revolution, the newly proclaimed United States competed with the British for the allegiance of Native American nations east of the Mississippi River.
  • The British made peace with the Americans in the Treaty of Paris (1783) , through which they ceded vast Native American territories to the United States without informing or consulting with the Native Americans.
  • Native American tribes led the Northwest Indian War in an attempt to repulse American settlers.
  • Describe the role of the Native American tribes in the Revolutionary War

• African Americans as a Political Force

  • Collectively, African Americans are more involved in the American political process than other minority groups.
  • The large majority of African Americans support the Democratic Party.
  • Although there is an African American lobby in foreign policy, it has not had the impact that African American organizations have had in domestic policy.
  • Roosevelt's New Deal program provided economic relief for African Americans.
  • Senator Roland Burris, of Illinois, is currently the only African American senator.

• Coercive Patriotism

  • "Americanization" was a process during WWI in which foreign-born Americans were encouraged to assimilate American culture and ethics.
  • Once Americanized, they would grasp American industrial ideals, be open to American influences, and not be subject to strike agitators or foreign propagandists.
  • The result, she argued would transform indifferent and ignorant residents into understanding voters, to make their homes into American homes, and to establish American standards of living throughout the ethnic communities.
  • The National Americanization Committee, led by Kellor, was one of the most important private organizations working towards Americanization.
  • Describe how foreign-born ethnic minorities were forced to assimilate into American culture through the process of "Americanization."

• African Americans in Southern Politics

  • There were few African Americans elected or appointed to national office.
  • African Americans voted for white candidates and for blacks.
  • As a result, states with majority African-American population often elected only one or two African-American representatives in Congress.
  • Because he preceded any African American in the House, he was the first African American in the U.S.
  • Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African-American in the Congress.