Cultural Diversity Generalizations • Generalizations allow us to make summaries from large amounts of information. • General statements describe a common pattern, this pattern is known as a generalization. • A generalization shows what several facts have in common. Culture

• Culture refers to a people’s way of life and includes language, traditions, customs and beliefs. • Diverse means to show a great deal of variety or differences. • Culture diversity means to have many different cultures living together in a specific area. Cultural Diversity

• Linguistic refers to a language that a group may speak. • Ethnic groups are groups of people with common traditions and customs. They often share ancestors from the same country. • Race is a group of people identified by certain characteristics based on where their ancestors came from such as Europe, Africa, East Asia the Pacific Islands or the Americas. • Racial segregation- separation of races by law. The southern states had this law after the Civil War. Cultures That Came to Ohio ( Who and Why They Came) • German Americans – From Germany (in Europe) – Political reasons and a revolution in their country that failed caused some Germans to leave – Most came for economic opportunities-jobs Contributions – were skilled craftsman, worked as farmers, carpenters, cigar makers, machinists and tailors. Many settled in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus Irish Americans

• Came from Ireland in Europe. • Came for jobs-they would take any job offered. • Largest number of Irish immigrants came to Ohio after the Great Potato Famine in Ireland. (1845-1846- a disease destroyed most of the Irish potato crop and 2 million Irish people emigrated to America. Irish Cont.

• Contributions – Settled in Cleveland and Cincinnati. – Took jobs as unskilled laborers-worked in dock yards, factories. – Helped build canals and railroads. – Made important contributions as teachers and educators. The Amish

• Came from Switzerland /Europe • They were persecuted for their unique beliefs so they came to the US. • First settled in Pennsylvania and later northern Ohio. • Practices: – Have a common language- Pennsylvania Dutch – No central Amish government. Amish Cont.

• Strive for thrift and simplicity. • Reject many modern conveniences. • Believed that hard work builds character. • Contributions – They were good craftsmen and builders. The women were good bakers, would raise crops and quilted. African Americans

• Frist brought to America as Slaves (from Europe, Africa) • After the civil war they faced prejudice and hardships especially in the southern states. • Prejudice- an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc. • Most settled in industrial cities such as Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, Akron (where jobs were plentiful).

African Americans Cont.

• They played a major role in the fight against racial discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. • Some became writers, architects, sportsmen and artists. German Americans

• Created hundreds of private schools and introduced Kindergarten to the United States • Started singing festivals, orchestras and bands. • They were good bakers and brewed beer. • Started having Oktoberfest's. • Settled in Cincinnati and Columbus. • Skilled craftsmen. Cultural Diversity in the US and Ohio

• The US and Ohio are made up of many people of different cultural backgrounds. • Living in a diverse society helps us to develop and understanding of the views of people from different backgrounds. • Foreign born immigrants are people who live in the US but were born in another country. • Most of the immigrants of Ohio before 1850 were from Germany and Ireland. • By the mid 1800’s most immigrants were from Germany. • In the late 19th and 20th century many African Americans moved from the southern states to Ohio. • Many of the new immigrants came from Spain, Italy and Greece and settled in the largest cities in Ohio. • Today, Asian Americans make up the 3rd largest minority group and the second fastest growing population in the US today. • In 2008 the 3 largest immigrant groups in Ohio were from Mexico, India and China. • Today the largest foreign born population in Ohio are from Asia.