英美概况美国部分第二章.ppt

Chapter twoAmerican Population The United States is the third most populous nation in the world, ranking behind China and India. 250 million----according to the US Census Bureau, on Mar. 6, 1990. Composition of the US population Population Distribution Composition of the US population------melting pot White Black people (Negroes) American Indians Hispanics Asians and Pacific Islanders White-----80% Black people (Negroes)---12% American Indians Hispanics 8% Asians and Pacific Islanders The process of the composition of the American population 1) Before 1875, anyone from any country could enter the US freely and take up the permanent residence. 2) 1875---1935, the US Congress passed laws restricting immigration on the basis of morality race and nation origin. 3) In 1953, Congress passed the Immigration and Nationality Act, which reaffirmed national origin as the central criterion for eligibility and established a preferential system for skilled workers and for relatives of US citizens. 4) In 1990, the US Congress Passed another Immigration Act which limited the total number of immigrations to 700,000 from 1992 to 1995, and to 675,000------abolished the 1952 Immigration Law that prohibited the communists from even visiting the US. 2. Different compositors White-----80.3% in 1990 a. WASPs( White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) They are the descendents of the early English settlers and make up about 45% of the American population, control most of the national wealth and political power. b. Other White Americans (from other European countries about 35%. c. Their social status is far better than the other American minorities. Black people------ a. They are the most numerous minority from Africa. b. 31.6 million in 1992, estimated 12.4%. c. The first blacks arrived in Jamestown in 1619 as indentured servants. American Indians----- a. Indians are