SECTION

2 History and
Culture
TEKS 1A, 2B, 4C, 15D, 18D, 19B,
21A, 21C

What You Will Learn… If YOU lived there...

Main Ideas It is 1803, and President Jefferson just arranged the purchase of a
1. The United States is the huge area of land west of the Mississippi River. It almost doubles
world’s first modern the size of the United States. Living on the frontier in Ohio, you are
democracy.
2. The people and culture of a skillful hunter and trapper. One day, you see a poster calling for
the United States are very volunteers to explore the new Louisiana Territory. An expedition is
diverse.
heading west soon. You think it would be exciting but dangerous.

The Big Idea Will you join the expedition to the West?
Democratic ideas and immi­ Why or why not?
gration have shaped the history
and culture of the United States.

Key Terms and Places

colony, p. 150
Building Background From 13 colonies on the Atlantic coast,
Boston, p. 150 the territory of the United States expanded all the way to the Pacific
New York, p. 150 Ocean in about 75 years. Since then, America’s democracy has
plantation, p. 151 attracted immigrants from almost every country in the world.
pioneers, p. 152 Looking for new opportunities, these immigrants have made the
bilingual, p. 155 country very diverse.

Use the graphic organizer online First Modern Democracy

to take notes on the history and
Long before Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sailed to the
culture of the United States.
Americas in 1492, native people lived on the land that is now
the United States. These Native Americans developed many
distinct cultures. Soon after Columbus and his crew explored
the Americas, other Europeans began to set up colonies there.

The American Colonies

Europeans began settling in North America and setting up
colonies in the 1500s. A colony is a territory inhabited and con-
trolled by people from a foreign land. By the mid-1700s the
British Empire included more than a dozen colonies along the
Atlantic coast. New cities in the colonies such as Boston and
New York became major seaports.

150 Chapter 6
 Some people living in the British colo- In 1781 the American forces under
nies lived on plantations. A plantation is General George Washington defeated the
a large farm that grows mainly one crop. British army at the Battle of Yorktown in
Many of the colonial plantations produced Virginia. With this defeat, Britain recog-
tobacco, rice, or cotton. About 453,000 nized the independence of the United
enslaved Africans were brought to the col- States. As a consequence, Britain granted
onies and forced to work on plantations. all its land east of the Mississippi River to
By the 1770s many colonists in America the new nation.
were unhappy with British rule. They want-
ed independence from Britain. In July 1776, Expansion and Industrial Growth
the colonial representatives adopted the After independence, the United States
Declaration of Independence. The docu- gradually expanded west. Despite the chal-
ment stated that “all men are created lenges of crossing swift-moving rivers and
equal” and have the right to “life, liberty, traveling across rugged terrain and huge
and the pursuit of happiness.” Although mountains, people moved west for land and
not everyone in the colonies was consid- plentiful resources.
ered equal, the Declaration was a great step
toward equality and justice.
To win their independence, the Ameri- B iographY
can colonists fought the British in the
Revolutionary War. First, colonists from George Washington
Massachusetts fought in the early battles of (1732–1799)
the war in and around Boston. As the war As the first president of the United States,
spread west and south, soldiers from all George Washington is known as the Father of
the American colonies joined the fight His Country. Washington was admired for his
heroism and leadership as the commanding
against Britain.
general during the Revolutionary War. Delegates to the Constitu-
tional Convention chose him to preside over their meetings. Wash-
ington was then elected president in 1789 and served
two terms.
Fight for Independence
This painting shows General Drawing Inferences Why do you think Washington was elected
George Washington leading president?
American troops across the
Delaware River to attack
British forces.

The United States 151

 These first settlers that traveled west country was a major producer of goods like
were called pioneers. Many followed the steel, oil, and textiles, or cloth products. The
2,000-mile Oregon Trail west from Missouri steel industry grew around cities that were
to the Oregon Territory. Groups of families located near coal and iron ore deposits.
traveled together in wagons pulled by Most of those new industrial cities were
oxen or mules. The trip was harsh. Food, in the Northeast and Midwest. The coun-
A CADEMIC supplies, and water were scarce. try’s economy also benefited from the
V OCABULARY While many pioneers headed west development of waterways and railroads.
development the
seeking land, others went in search of gold. This development helped industry and
process of
growing or The discovery of gold in California in 1848 people move farther into the interior.
improving had a major impact on the country. The Attracted by a strong economy, mil-
lure of gold brought hundreds of thou- lions of people immigrated, or came to,
sands of people to California. the United States for better jobs and land.
By 1850 the population of the United Immigration from European countries
States exceeded 23 million and the country was especially heavy in the late 1800s and
stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. early 1900s. As a result of this historical
As the United States expanded, the nation’s pattern of immigration, the United States
economy also grew. By the late 1800s, the is a culturally diverse nation today.

Western Expansion of the United States

CANADA
TREATY WITH
BRITAIN
1842
OREGON TREATY WITH

60˚W
ARCTIC OCEAN TERRITORY BRITAIN
70°N 1846 1818
mg7fvs_usamap008ba
HRW-MS Geography Maps 40˚N
ALASKA 40˚N
60
U.S.: Territorial
PURCHASE Expansion LOUISIANA PURCHASE
°N
1867 Locator MEXICAN 1803 UNITED STATES
CESSION 1783
°W

Final pass--7/12/05 1848

170

140°W

PACIFIC
OCEAN
ATLANTIC
0 500 1,000 Miles OCEAN
GADSDEN
0 500 1,000 Kilometers PURCHASE
30˚N 1853
TEXAS 30˚N
ANNEXATION
1845
155°W

FLORIDA
120˚W
160°W

1812 1819
HRW-MS Geography
HAWAII Maps
ANNEXATION
mg7fvs_usamap008da
20°N MEXICO Gulf of Mexico
70˚W

1898
PACIFIC
U.S. Expansion
PACIFIC OCEAN Map OCEAN
Alaska inset
90˚W

20˚N N
0 100 200 Miles
Final pass--7/12/05 W
0 100 200 Kilometers E

S
Movement The United States expanded in about 100 years as
0 300 600 Miles the government gained territory and people moved west.
1. Identify What territory did the United States acquire in 1846?
100˚W

0 300 600 Kilometers

110˚W

Projection: Albers Equal-Area 2. Analyzing How were Louisiana and Alaska acquired?
mg7fvs_usamap008da
HRW-MS Geography Maps
U.S.: Territorial Expansion
mg7fvs_usamap008ca
Hawaii inset
HRW-MS Geography Maps
Final pass--7/12/05
152Territorial
U.S.: Chapter 6
Expansion
Legend
Final pass--7/12/05
Wars and Peace Primary Source
The United States fought in several wars
during the 1900s. Many Americans died historic document
in two major wars, World Wars I and II. The Constitution
After World War II, the United States and On September 17, 1787, state delegates gathered in
the Soviet Union became rivals in what Philadelphia to create a constitution, a written statement of
was known as the Cold War. The Cold War the powers and functions of the new government of the United
lasted until the early 1990s, when the States. The Preamble, or introduction, to the U.S. Constitution is
shown below. It states the document’s general purpose.
Soviet Union collapsed. U.S. troops also
served in long wars in Korea in the 1950s
and in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s. In
1991, the U.S. fought Iraq in the Persian
“ Americans wanted
peace within the United
States and a national
Gulf War. In the early 2000s, the United of the United States, in order to form a military force.
States military fought long wars in Iraq more perfect Union, establish justice,
and Afghanistan. insure domestic tranquillity, provide
Today the United States is a member for the common defense, promote
of many international organizations. The the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and
headquarters of one such organization, the
our posterity, do ordain and establish
United Nations (UN), is located in New York this Constitution for the United States
City. About 190 countries are UN mem-
bers. The United States is one of the most
of America.
” They wanted to
ensure freedoms for
themselves and for
powerful members. future generations.

Government and Citizenship

The United States is a representative
democracy, whose limited government is
based on the U.S. Constitution. This docu-
ment spells out the powers and functions
of the branches of the federal government.
The federal government includes an elect- ANALYSIS
ed president and Congress. In general, the skill ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES
federal government handles issues affect- How do you think the ideas that appear in the
ing the whole country, but many powers Preamble affect your daily life?
are left to the 50 state governments. Coun-
ties and cities also have their own local
governments. Many local governments to play an active role in government. For
provide services to the community such as example, Americans can call or write their
trash collection, road building, electricity, public officials to ask them to help solve
and public transportation. problems in their communities. Without
people participating in their government,
Rights and Responsibilities the democratic process suffers.
American citizens have many rights and
responsibilities, including the right to Reading Check Sequencing What were
vote. Starting at age 18, U.S. citizens are some major events in the history of the United
allowed to vote. They are also encouraged States?

The United States 153

 People and Culture Language
About 7 out of 10 Americans are descend- What language or languages do you hear as
ed from European immigrants. However, you walk through the hall of your school?
the United States is also home to people of Since most people in the United States
many other cultures and ethnic groups. As speak English, you probably hear English
a result, the United States is a diverse nation spoken every day. However, in many parts
where many languages are spoken and of the country, English is just one of many
different religions and customs are prac- languages you might hear. Are you or is
ticed. The blending of these different someone you know bilingual? People who
cultures has helped produce a unique speak two languages are bilingual.
American culture. Today more than 57 million U.S. resi-
dents speak a language in addition to
Ethnic Groups in the United States English. These languages include Span-
F OCUS ON Some ethnic groups in the United States ish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic,
R EADING include Native Americans, African Ameri- Tagalog, and many others.
What details
cans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian After English, Spanish is the most wide-
would be
included under a Americans. As you can see on the maps ly spoken language in the United States.
category called on the next page, higher percentages of About 36 million Americans speak Spanish
ethnic groups?
these ethnic groups are concentrated in at home. Many of these people live near
different areas of the United States. the border between the United States and
For thousands of years, Native Ameri- Mexico and in Florida.
cans were the only people living in the
Americas. Today, most Native Americans Religion
live in the western United States. Many Americans also practice many religious
Native Americans are concentrated in Ari- faiths. The majority are Christians. How-
zona and New Mexico. ever, some are Jewish or Muslim, and a
Even though African Americans live in smaller percentage are Hindu, Buddhist, or
every region of the country, some areas of Sikh. Your community might have Chris-
the United States have a higher percentage tian churches, Jewish synagogues, Islamic
of African Americans. For example, a high- mosques, Hindu temples, or Sikh gurd-
er percentage of African Americans live waras, as well as other places of worship.
in southern states. Many large cities also Many religious holidays are celebrated
have a high percentage of African Ameri- in the United States. Christians celebrate
cans. On the other hand, descendants of Jesus’s birth on Christmas, and Jesus’s
people who came from Asian countries, or resurrection at Easter. Jews observe Yom
Asian Americans, are mostly concentrated Kippur—also known as Day of Atone-
in California. ment—and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish
Many Hispanic Americans originally New Year. Muslims fast during the month
migrated to the United States from M­ exico, of Ramadan, a time when they believe the
Cuba, and other Latin American countries. Koran, their holy scripture, was revealed
As you can see on the map of Hispanic to Mohammed. Hindus celebrate Diwali,
Americans, a higher percentage of His- a festival of lights which symbolizes the
panic Americans live in the southwestern victory of good over evil. Sikhs commemo-
states. These states border Mexico. rate the establishment of a formalized Sikh
community called the Khalsa in the 1690s
with a festival called Vaisakhi.
154 Chapter 6
 Distribution of Selected Ethnic Groups, 2010

0%–5% 0%–2%
6%–10% 3%–10%
11%–25% 11%–25%
26%–98% 26%–96% Native Americans
Hispanic Americans

Diverse America
People of different ethnic groups
enjoy a parade in Washington,
D.C. Like most large American
cities, Washington has a very
6_STXESE320406_825Ma Highest number in 6_STXESE320406_826Ma
the last range
diverse ­population. About Highest number i
HMH SS Texas 2016 SE, Gr 6 in the legend is theHMH
highest
SS value
Texas 2016ofSE,
50 percent Gr 6
Washington’s in the legend is th
2010 Census map: Hispanic American in the 2010 Census 2010
data for this
Census map: Native
­population American
is ­African ­American. in the 2010 Censu
ethnic group. Hispanic Americans make up ethnic group.
IMA second pass 10/25/2016 IMA second about
pass10 percent of the city’s
10/25/2016
population, and Asian Americans
make up about four percent.

0%–10% 0%–2%
11%–25% 3%–5%
26%–50% 6%–10%
51%–86% 11%–44%
African Americans Asian Americans

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010

Regions These maps show population 1. Locate In what region of the United States does the
information from the U.S. Census. Every 10 highest percentage of African Americans live?
years, Americans answer census questions 2. Analyze Why do you think many Hispanic Ameri-
about their race or ethnic group. cans live in the southwestern United States?
6_STXESE320406_827Ma Highest 6_STXESE320406_828Ma
number in the last range Highest number in the l
HMH SS Texas 2016 SE, Gr 6 in the legend is the highest in the legend is the high
HMH SS Texas 2016 value
SE, Gr 6
2010 Census map: African American in the 2010 Census data forAsian
this Americans in the 2010 Census data
2010 Census map:
ethnic group. ethnic group.
IMA second pass 10/25/2016 IMA second pass 10/25/2016 The United States 155
 Foods and Music culture, such as movies, television pro-
Diversity shows itself through cultural grams, and sports, is popular elsewhere. For
practices. In addition to language and reli- example, the Star Wars movies are seen by
gion, cultural practices include the food we millions of people around the world.
eat and the music we listen to. Other examples of American culture in
America’s food is as diverse as the other places include the popularity of
American people. Think about some of the baseball in Japan, Starbucks coffee shops
foods you have eaten this week. You may in almost every major city in the world,
have eaten Mexican tacos, Italian pasta, or and an MTV channel available through-
Japanese sushi. These dishes are now part out Asia. As you can see, Americans influ-
of the American diet. ence the rest of the world in many ways
Different types of music from around through their culture.
the world have also influenced American
culture. For example, salsa music from Lat- Reading Check Generalizing How has cul-
in America is popular in the United States tural diversity enriched life in the United States?
today. Many American musicians now
combine elements of salsa into their pop
songs. However, music that originated in   
SUmmary and PReview The history of
the United States is also popular in other the United States has helped shape the
countries. American musical styles include democratic nation it is today. Drawn to
blues, jazz, rock, and hip hop. the United States because of its democ-
racy, immigrants from around the world
American Popular Culture have shaped American culture. In the
As the most powerful country in the world, next section, you will learn about the
the United States has tremendous influ- different regions of the United States and
ence around the world. American popular the issues the country is facing today.

Section 2 Assessment ONLINE QUIZ

Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and Places Critical Thinking

1. a. Define What is a colony? 3. Summarizing Using your notes, write one descrip-
b. Make Inferences Why did the pioneers move tive sentence about the history, government,
west? people, and culture of the United States.
c. Elaborate What is an example of the rights and
People History
responsibilities that American citizens have?
2. a. Recall What language other than English is
Government Culture
widely spoken in the United States?
b. Summarize What are some religious holidays
celebrated in the United States?
c. Predict How do you think American culture will
Focus on Viewing
be different in the future, and what contributions 4. Thinking about History and Culture How would
of diverse groups do you think will bring about the you describe the history and culture of the United
changes? States? Identify two images for your collage.

156 Chapter 6