Mr. Theleman's 8th Grade "USA" Webquest 

The following information was gathered to help you with your mission. Read it carefully. It will provide a basis for you to use when completing your mission. Remember to be as thorough as possible. Your country depends on you.

    Background   

In 1776 a new country was founded. This country was comprised of immigrants and descendants of immigrants from many different cultures and ethnicities. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Much of the world considered the United States of America to be an ethnic “Melting Pot”. America is a place where immigrants of different cultures or races form an integrated society. The national motto that is found on our printed currency is “E Pluribus Unum”, which means from many to one.

In the past 230 years the United States has seen many different transitions. This country has grown from 13 colonies to 50 states and is now considered one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world. Now more than two centuries after the signing of the Declaration of Independence our country looks quite different.

Now when you drive into any major city, you will find that these cultural and ethnic differences have been magnified by divisions in cities. If our country is supposed to be a “melting pot”, why are there divisions between cultures and ethnic groups? The truth is that there are natural barriers and differences between cultures and ethnic groups. If we come from different backgrounds, then what do we have in common?

Research Question

What does it mean to be an American?

Sources:

ushistory.org. The Declaration of Independence. Retrieved March 3, 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                                     From http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm