Transcript USA voting patterns Blog

1. Introduction to the United
States of America
Learning Intentions (Pupils should be able to):
1. Briefly describe the geography and history of the
United States.
2. Explain that the United States is a multicultural
society with many different people.
Introduction
• What do you know about the
USA?
Think about:
• Places
• People
• Politics
• Social issues
Introduction to the United States of America
Geography
The USA is the fourth
largest country in the
world with mountains,
desert and sub-tropical
environments.
The USA stretches
from Canada in the
north to Mexico in the
south. From New York
to LA, is 2,500 miles.
The USA has four time
zones.
Introduction to the United States of America
History
The USA’s history has been dominated by
immigration. The Native Americans
(wrongly called ‘Indians’) make up only one
percent of the US population.
European/White settlers were the first
to arrive in the USA spreading from the
East across the continent to the West in
their millions. African Americans were
also early to arrive in the US.
More recently immigrants from
Mexico/Central America and Asia have
been arriving in millions. In 2008, 1 m
people were added to the US population.
Introduction to the United States of America
The Multicultural USA Population
The USA has attracted people from all over the
world. The US population numbers around 305m and is
rising rapidly.
Most Americans, 67%, are White (198m).
The biggest ethnic minority group of Americans are
Hispanics or Latinos (Spanish speaking) around 15%
(45m people).
The third largest group of Americans are African or
Black Americans with 12% of US population (36m).
There are around 15m Asian and Pacific Islander
Americans (5%) of the US population.
Only 1% of the US population are Native Americans.
2. US Population Distribution
Learning Intentions (Pupils should be able to):
1. Describe the population distribution patterns for each
of the main ethnic groups in the USA.
2. Explain reasons for the population distribution patterns
of the main ethnic groups in the USA.
The Mid
West
The
West
The
North
East
The
South
US Population Distribution
White Americans (198m)
White Americans are
spread across the whole
of the United States.
In the North, North East
and North West, where
Whites originally settled,
there are fewer
minorities hence Whites
make up a greater
percentage of the
population.
US Population Distribution
Hispanic Americans (45m)
Hispanic Americans are
most often found in South
West of the United States.
60% of Hispanic Americans
are of Mexican origin and
have settled in the States
nearest the US border.
There are also big numbers
of Hispanics in Florida
(from nearby Cuba) and in
the North East of the US
(Puerto Ricans entering US
through New York.)
US Population Distribution
Black Americans (36m)
Well over half of all Black or
African Americans are found
in the South of the United
States.
Originally Black Americans
were taken to the US as
slaves to work on the farms
of the South. Today most
Blacks continue to live where
their ancestors did although
there are established Black
communities in most large US
cities such as New York,
Chicago, LA and Washington.
US Population Distribution
Asian and Pacific Islander
Americans (15m)
The largest number of Asian
Americans are found on the
West coast of the USA –
the nearest point of entry
from Asia. There are also
many Asians Americans in
the large cities of the N.
East where the have
migrated to find work.
Pacific Islanders covers
those Americans in Hawaii
and Alaska.
US Population Distribution
Native American, Eskimo
and Aleut (1.6m)
The smallest ethnic
minorities in the US are the
Native American people.
They are mostly found on
those areas in the West of
the USA where they were
‘relocated’ during the 19th
Century.
Importance of Ethnic Population
• 2010 census showed ethnic minorities
make up 36.3% of the US population and
the proportion is rising.
• It also shows that in the last decade
the minority population went up 30%
compared to a 1% increase for whites.
• African- Americans are now 13.6% of
the population.
• Hispanics 16% and Asians 5.6%.
• In 2012 minorities are 28% of all voters
(up 2% on 2008).
Lesson Starter
• Create a mind map which shows the
different population groups in the
USA. (Try to do from memory).
• Add in statistics that show the
importance of ethnic minorities in
elections.
US Political parties and their support
Learning Intentions (Pupils should be able to):
1. Explain the role of ideology in US politics.
2. Describe from where the two main US political parties get
most support.
There are two main political parties in the USA – the
Democrats and the Republicans.
Unlike political parties in the UK, US political parties
are not tied to an ideology. This means both main
parties contains a range of people from across
society. In US elections, candidates seek to build
political support across different regions and groups.
In America, a candidate’s views on particular issues
such as taxes, gun control, abortion or welfare are
more important than which party they represent.
Who voted for these men?
US Political parties and their
support – The Democrats
Democratic Party Support
In recent years, Democrat support has
been strongest from the following groups:
• The Poor – Those dependent on welfare or Govt. health
provision (medicaid) as Democrats more sympathetic to less
well off. Many poor people live in urban areas.
• Minorities – Blacks and Hispanics as the Democrats are
more supportive of government programmes to support
minorities. Democrats are seen as less strict on immigration.
• ‘Liberals’ – Those in the NE and West of the USA who are
more supportive of government intervention in the economy,
and of gay rights, abortion and tighter gun control.
US Political parties and their
support – The Republicans
Republican Party Support
Republican Party support is strongest amongst:
• Wealthy people – The Republicans favour low taxes and
limited government intervention in the economy. Many
wealthy Americans live in sub-urban areas or in more rural
States of the Mid West (Iowa) or the South (Alabama).
• Whites – Although Obama won, most Whites (55%) voted
for Republican McCain.
• ‘Conservatives’ – Republicans are more likely to be
conservative on social policy i.e. anti-abortion & anti-gay,
pro-gun and pro-death penalty. Note: The ‘religious right’
and the ‘bible belt’ States have grown in importance in US
politics in recent years.
US Political parties and their
support – The 2008 Elections
In 2008, the USA returned a Democrat President. In the
Presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama beat
Republican John McCain.
So who supported the Democrats in 2008?
• 65% of first time voters – Obama younger than McCain.
• 95% of Blacks and 70% of Hispanics; McCain had a small
majority amongst Whites.
• 56% women and 52% men. Obama more ‘female-friendly’.
• The 62% of voters who felt Obama and the Democrats
were better able to handle the economic crisis.
US Political parties and their
support – The 2012 Elections
•A record number of Hispanic and Asian voters headed to the
polls to help Obama secure his second term - his support
among whites plummeted.
•Ten per cent of voters were Hispanic - and 71 per cent
voted for Obama
•Romney won 59 per cent of white votes - the biggest
majority by any presidential candidate in U.S. history that
failed to win White House
•African-American votes for Obama achieved 2008 levels
•Democrats won younger votes, while Republicans scored
older ones
•52 per cent of men voted for Romney compared to 44 per
cent of women
•In a sign Republicans are failing to win over Hispanics, an
increasingly influential group, Romney won just 27 per cent.
•A record number of Asian voters - three per cent of the
electorate - also turned out, with nearly three-quarters
backing Obama.
•He also won a staggering 93 per cent of African-American
votes.
•Yet while his popularity among ethnic minorities swelled, he
received just 39 per cent of the white votes, down by four per
cent on the last election, a drop his campaign had anticipated.
2012 Election Continued
•Romney secured 59 per cent of the white vote - the
largest majority achieved by any presidential candidate in
U.S. history who then failed to win.
•With Hispanics numbering 53 million in the U.S. - about
17 per cent of the population - the 2012 results show just
how key the Hispanic votes are to elections, and how
Republicans are failing to win them over
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican in Florida
and possible 2016 presidential candidate,
said: 'The Republican movement should
have particular appeal to people in
minority and immigrant communities who
are trying to make it, and Republicans
need to work harder than ever to
communicate our beliefs to them.'
Lesson Starter
• Create a mind map which shows the
support by different groups in the
2008/2012 elections.
Why?
•Polls showed Hispanic voters trusted Obama on issues of
jobs and the economy, and that they believed Democrats
cared more for their votes.
•Scandal over Romney and his video showing his real
views about Democrat voters- Obama voters were
‘victims’ who take no responsibility over their lives.
•Hispanic voters were no doubt alienated by Romney's
tough stance against immigration, calling for 'self
deportation' and making life tough for undocumented
immigrants.
•He also vetoed the Dream Act, Obama's 2010 bill to
help undocumented youngsters. The president gained
support for his June decision to allow young immigrants
to stay in the country.
The Dream Act
•Refers to children of undocumented immigrants- not
born in the USA so are illegal immigrants.
•Children of illegal immigrants were allowed to attend
school regardless of their immigration status. Would not
be regarded as legal citizens.
•The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors
Act , or DREAM act, would grant conditional lawful
resident status to high school graduates who had grown
up in the United States
•After a period of time, and upon completion of a
voluntary work programme, college degree or military
service, they could apply for lawful permanent resident
status.
African Americans and Democrat
Support
• Very Conservative group- many are
God- Fearing and church going.
• Traditional family values- more in line
with the Republican ideology.
• The difference between Republican
Conservatism and Black Conservatism
is that Republicans have power,
wealth and influence and want it to
remain that way.
The Hispanic Vote
• Fastest growing ethnic group.
• Importance of the Hispanic vote
•
•
has changed drastically in the last
decade.
Main political parties are
understanding the importance of
the Hispanic vote.
Go to great lengths to get the
Hispanic vote.
The 'Spanish' Vote
• Party websites are translated into
•
•
•
Spanish.
Billboards and leaflets are
produced in both English and
Spanish.
Instructions on ballot papers are
given in both Spanish and English.
Immigration is placed at the top of
the list during election campaigns.
Hispanic Registration
• 2004- 34% were registered to
•
•
•
vote and 29.8% turned out to
vote.
2008- 59% were registered
and 49% turned out to vote.
In four years registration has
almost doubled.
Considerable force in elections.
Hispanic Registration
However...
There are still millions of illegal
immigrants living in the country who
are unable to vote.
42% of Hispanic voters can't votethey are either too young or are
not citizens.
Whereas 77% of whites and 66% of
African Americans are eligible to
vote.
•
•
•
Other influences on voting
Religion
This is an issue that can also affect
the results of elections.
In the 2008 election 78% of
Jewish voters voted in favour of
the Democratic Party.
74% of voters who were
Evangelistic Christians voted in
favour of the Republican Party.
•
•
•
Other influences on voting
Gun Owners
Only 37% of gun owners voted for
Obama and the Democrats.
Republicans received more support
and gained 62%.
•
•
The Youth Vote
•
•
P- Diddy started the
Vote or Die Campaign to
encourage the youngest
members of the
population to use their
vote.
He recognised that 42
million young people aged
18-30 were unlikely to
vote and wanted to
change this.
Washington Post claimed
that the campaign was
successful.
The Youth Vote
•
•
As a result of the
campaign there were
many first time
voters who
participated in the
2008 election.
68% of young people
gave their support
to Obama.
Only 31% gave their
vote to the
Republicans.
Essay Plan…To what extent do ethnic
minorities influence the outcomes of
elections in the USA?
• Paragraph 1 – Huge influence – numbers, percentages, impact of
blacks and Hispanics on recent elections. Hispanic influence in
South West, Black influence in South. Hispanics also crucial to
democratic majorities in Colorado, Florida and Indiana.
• Paragraph 2 – Not such a big influence…42% Hispanics not
registered – too young or illegal. Also, whites still make up more
than half the vote so more important?
• Paragraph 3 – Huge influence – Democrat victories in 2008 and
2012 – lost white vote but won elections. More and more ethnic
minorities registering to vote.
• Paragraph 4 – Other factors – religion, guns, age etc…examples…
• Conclusion – ethnic minorities have a huge influence but other
factors also important…
2008 Presidential Election
Red = Republican
Blue = Democrat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United
_States_presidential_election,_20
08
2012 Presidential Election
Red = Republican
Blue = Democrat
http://en.wikipedia.org/w
iki/United_States_presid
ential_election,_2012