World Powers: USA1_Introduction

CONNECT:

Who is this and was/ is their job?

Learning Intentions: Explain what the G20 is Explain what a superpower is and be able to give an

example What links Scotland and the USA General info about USA and Americans

G20 The G20 represents more than 85% of the world’s

economy and includes countries from all over the globe. It is made up of 19 of the world’s largest economies and

a representative from Europe. They talk about the most important financial and

economic issues of the day: global recession, food security and sustainable development.

The USA is a member of the G20 The USA is the world’s superpower, but China is fast

emerging to challenge the USA’s world dominance in Asia.

Why is America Important?

American’s importance in the world community cannot be underestimated. Not only is the country the 3rd biggest country in the world geographically, it also has the third largest population in the world.

Economically, America is one of the richest countries in the world. In 2014 the USA produced over $18 trillion worth of goods and services. This means that they made about one-fifth of everything produced (made) in the world.

America is one of the most important countries in the world in terms of SIZE.’– Using the information contained in the passage,

provide TWO pieces of evidence to SUPPORT (back-up) this statement.

USA as a superpower

A superpower is a powerful and influential nation, especially a nuclear power that dominates its allies. It can influence all areas of the world, Militarily, politically and economically.

In capitalism much of the countries resources or means of production lies with a private owner. The profit in a capitalist structure belongs to the private owner only. The USA is a capitalist country.

In reality this means: People can own their own businesses People can express their own views People can elect their own government People can choose to pay for private education and healthcare

By contrast China is a communist country. In communism the ideal is were the society owns all of the country’s resources or businesses. The profit is shared equally among the people. In reality though, this does not happen. China is currently nearly as unequal as the USA.

Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of goods and production, of these goods and services for profit.

It means people are allowed keep much of their profits because the government keeps taxes low. Entrepreneurs are encouraged – Bill Gates with Microsoft, Steve Jobs with Apple and Mark Zuckerberg with Facebook.

Investigate:Choose one of the individuals from the slide and find out the following…

• What their background was (family, wealth etc.)

• What they have achieved• Does this prove the American Dream is

a reality?

The inventiveness of its people also makes America important. For example, we would not have iPods if Steve Jobs, an American, had not invented the software to make it work, nor would we have Xboxes, flat-screen TVs and many other high-tech inventions that make our life more entertaining.

Why have the American people made the USA important when it comes to technological developments in the world?

USA’s relevance to Scotland

There are 29 million Americans claim Scottish Heritage. Americans of Scottish descendants have played a vibrant role in the shaping of America. From the framers of the Declaration of Independence to the first man on the Moon. These are honoured on National Tartan Day.

Man Vs Food

Consider the impact of this approach to food…

Has this affected us in Scotland?Super Size Me

Complete this table in your own jotter.

America’s Influence on the lives of Scottish Children

CATEGORY POINT 1 POINT 2 BONUS POINT

TechnologyIpods Xboxes Flat screen TVs

Clothes

Music

Food

Words

Traditions

Map of 50 state of the USA

http://www.50states.com/

Different states have different laws.

Who makes up American Population?

How to describe it…

Melting pot – cannot pick out any of the ingredients but all together, they made a new product. E.g. Cup of coffee. All become American.

Salad bowl – all ingredients make a salad but can still see all the individual ingredients. Still keep ethnic identity and be American.

White 66% Hispanic/Latino 15% (big increase) African American/Black population 12% Asian/Pacific Islander 4% Native Americans and others 1%

Why is it changing?

Push and pull factors.

Explain why people move to the USA.

Push factors are reasons why they are being ‘pushed’ out of their own country.

Pull factors are reasons why they are pulled or attracted to the USA.

Categorise the following into push and pull factors:

Dictatorship

Unemployment

No land

Poor healthcare

Poverty

Lack of housing

Little or no educational opportunities

War and natural disasters

Democratic countryFreedom of speech

Wealth

Land

American Dream

Education

Health care

Jobs

Capitalism

Arguments for and Against Immigration: Read and pick the top two for each side

FOR: Some of the most intelligent

and ambitious individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries bring their skills to the USA.

It increases the diversity and expands the culture of the country

Immigrants often take low-paying jobs, such as food service and hotel cleaning, which many Americans do not want to do at such low wages.

It improves the overall image of the USA internationally

It gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life.

AGAINST: May result in more

opportunities for terrorists, drug dealers and other criminals entering the country.

Poor immigrants use high levels of resources

National identity and language is disappearing

Emigration to the USA hurts the country that is left

Less-skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities

Obama wanted to make it easier for illegal immigrants to gain legal status once they had been in the USA for a certain length of time. Do you think this was a popular idea? Why or why not?

Mexican Border ControlAfter the 9/11 attacks, further efforts were taken by Homeland Security to strengthen border security. In 2006 1100km of security fencing in areas along the border with Mexico prone to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. It was supposed to be operational by 2011 but technical problems have meant it was stopped at the end of 2011. Taxpayers spent $1bn dollars for protection on 85km of border.

In 2014 there are groups with names like Patriots and Citizen Defenders, who have set up camp on private land along the border at the property owner’s invitation.

To critics, they are militias - vigilantes spoiling for a fight. For would-be migrants, they are another barrier to entry. For the U.S. Border Patrol, they can be either a nuisance or a help in spotting people trying to enter the country illegally.

The topic is the Mexican Border Patrol

You have 10 minutes to study up.

Mastermind

American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for wealth and success, achieved through hard work.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.“

Why do you think the American Dream is such an

Important part of American Culture?

Give a mark out of 10 to show how great an influence America has on us.

10 being the greatest, 0 being the least.

Be prepared to explain why you think so…