CHEIKH ANTA DIOP UNIVERSITY OF DAKAR

Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences

Department of Anglophone Studies

AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES

AMERICAN CIVILIZATION

CURRICULUM TEACHING : LICENCE II ANG 231

AMERICAN CIVILIZATION COURSES

COURSES PREPRARED AND PRESENTED BY Dr. MARIAME WANE LY

ASSOCIATE-PROFESSOR IN AMERICAN LITERATURE

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024

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 1. Administrative Frame of Reference

University Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar

Faculty Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences
Department Anglophones Studies
Geographical area American and Caribbean Studies
Course American Civilization
Teaching Language English
Degree Arts Degree (Licence III)
Level of Studies Licence 1I
Semester Semester 1I
Mariame WANE LY
Faculty Member
Associate Professor

2. Course Description
Teaching Unit Code ANG 231
Overall and Specific Goals
Pedagogical Goals
Understand the Basics of American Civilization
Overall Goal
OS 1: Specify the characteristics of American history
and the way it is rooted in American Culture.
OS 2: Specify the impacts of American history in the
development of the American Ideology.
Specific Goals OS 3: Analyze the repercussions of the historical
events in the formation of the American Nation and
credo.
OS 4 : Cognize the major concepts and Ideals shaped
from historical circumstances.
OS 5: Connect doctrines to historical circumstances
and identify their influences in American political
thinking today.

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CURRICULUM

Chapter I: Defining American Civilization

Chapter II: Immigration

Chapter III: Manifest Destiny

Chapter IV: The Monroe Doctrine

Chapter V: The Westward Expansion

Chapter VI: American Pragmatism

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Chapter I: Defining American Civilization

The course is a description and an analysis of the major historical

events that marked the American nation. It is a major step in defining
and understanding American culture and identity that contributed in
shaping American political thinking today.

Chapter II: Immigration

The chapter is an overview of American cultural history from the
perspective of immigration and doctrines of ethnic diversity.

→The population and its components

→Social theories: E. Pluribus Unum, Melting Pot, and Salad Bowl

Immigration
Immigration to the United States of America is a complex demographic
phenomenon that has been a major cause of population growth and
cultural change. Immigration played a significant role in shaping the
American nation. So its population is characterized by ethnic diversity
instead of being "one people one Nation."

What attracted immigrants?

Settlers came to the New World in quest for Fundamental human rights.
Religious freedom is part of human rights and it is so crucial in American
experience that it has been clearly specified in the American motto In
God We Trust and in the 1st Amendment to the constitution which
guarantees religious freedom:

Congress shall make no law respecting an

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 establishment of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise therefore...

Freedom includes the opportunity of prosperity, liberty and

equality. Liberty incorporates political rights, economic rights, and
social rights.
In a nutshell, immigrants were motivated by the ideals expressed in the
concept of the American Dream.

What does American Dream mean? The notion of the American Dream
is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) which
proclaims that:

We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men are

created equal. They are endowed by their creator with
certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.

The Founding Fathers planted the seeds of the American Dream in the
Declaration of Independence when in 1776 they defended the right to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They wanted to create a nation in
which people could be free to live their lives without intervention from an
unfair government regarding race, religion, and gender.

The American Dream then reaffirms the traditional American hopes, the
hopes of the founding fathers and those of their forefathers (The Pilgrim
Fathers).

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The History of Immigration
The American immigration started the day Christopher Columbus found
the American continent on October the 12th 1492.
The process intensified when Amerigo Vespucci discovered North
America in 1497. From then on the country became a destination for
immigrants coming from all over the world.

1/The Population and its components

1) European Immigrants came first from England

Starting in the early 17th century British immigrants (explorers,
adventurers and traders) settled primarily on the east coast. The
earliest New England colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode Island and New-Hampshire were established along the
Northeast coast. Those immigrants were partly composed by poor
Europeans, illiterate or uneducated people. In a nutshell, America
was built by ordinary people rather than aristocrats. Then
immigrants came from all over Europe: Netherlands, France,
Germany, Italy ...

2) Then Slaves came from Africa: this immigration is specific and

called a forced exile
3) From neighbours countries: Mexico, Cuba,
4) Others.

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The historical reality of immigration is reflected by the distribution of the
population today:
70% = whites
14% = Hispanics from central and south America
13% = African, Americans
03% = others

2Social Theories: E. Pluribus Unum, The Melting Pot, and the Salad
Bowl are theories that describe American society.

1/E.Pluribus Unum "out of many one"

E.Pluribus Unum latin for “out of many, one “or “one from many” is a
phrase on the seal of theUunited States of America along with Annuit
Coeptis and Novus Ordo Seclorum adopted by an Act of Congress in
1782. Never codified by law it was considered a de facto motto of the
United States since 1956 when the US congress passed an act (“H.J.
Resolution 396) adopted In God We Trust as the official motto. The
motto was suggested by Pierce Eugene du Simetiere to the committee
responsible for developing the seal at the time of the Revolution.

While Annuit Coeptis and Novus Ordo Seclorum appear on the reverse
side of the Great Seal, E. Pluribus Unum appears on the obverse side of
the Seal. It appears on official documents as passports. It also appears
on the Seal of the President, Vice President and of the US Congress, the
House of Representatives, the US Senate and the US Supreme Court.

 E. Pluribus Unum refers to the integration of the 13 colonies

independent colonies in a unified Nation.

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2/The Melting Pot Theory
The melting pot is a metaphor used to describe the American society in
its first year. Settlers in the new world had to create a new nation from
different ethnic origins. The idea was that every immigrant arriving in the
USA had to give up his national identity, culture and language to be
accepted as part of the American society. The Melting Pot concept was
defended by Conservatives who ambitioned to turn America into a
generic society where everyone is identical.

The Melting Pot theory makes reference to the notions of uniculturalism

and homogeneous society.

3/The Salad Bowl Theory

The salad bowl theory proposes a model of society in which the different
ethnic groups preserve their identity, language and culture inside the
overall society.
Each ethnic group keeps its flavor while contributing to the salad.
The Salad Bowl theory makes reference to the notions Multiculturalism
and cultural diversity.

Chapter III: Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny is a doctrine of imperialist doctrine defended as

necessary and benevolent. According to this 19th century policy, the
United States had the right and duty to expand across the North
American Continent.

The concept of Manifest Destiny was born out of a "sense of mission to

redeem the old world" and it was enabled by "the potentialities of a new
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earth for building a new heaven."

O’Sullivan, an influential columnist, wrote in 1845 an essay entitled

"Annexation" in The Democratic Review in which he first used the term
Manifest Destiny. He predicted a "divine destiny" for the USA based upon
values such as opportunity, equal rights, freedom of conscience and
personal enfranchisement to "establish on earth the moral dignity and
salvation of man". The notion of manifest destiny was not explicitly
territorial but O’Sullivan predicted that the USA would be one of a "union
of many republics" sharing those values.

The theory of Manifest Destiny is rooted in the Puritan Dream of A

Nation under God which goes back to the ideas of John Winthrop in a
City upon a Hill and to the Ancient Israel.

In his article John o’ Sullivan urged the USA to annex the Republic of
Texas not only because Texas desired it but it was "our manifest destiny
to overspread the continent allotted to us by Providence for the
development of our yearly multiplying millions". The legacy of the
Manifest Destiny is a complex one. It’s the belief in an American mission
to promote and defend democracy throughout the world as experienced
by Abraham Lincoln, later Woodrow Wilson and Georges Bush.

Chapter IV: The Monroe Doctrine

What is the Monroe Doctrine about?

The Monroe Doctrine was a concept developed by James Monroe in

1823 as the 5th President of the United States of America. It is a principle
of US foreign policy introduced on December, 2nd 1823. It stated that
further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with
States in North or South America would be viewed as an act of
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aggression requiring US intervention.

The doctrine noted that the US would neither interfere with existing
European colonies nor intrude in the internal concerns of European
countries. The doctrine was issued at a time when nearly all Latin
American colonies of Spain and Portugal and achieved independence
from the Spanish empire (except Cuba and Puerto Rico) and the
Portuguese empire.

President James Monroe first stated the doctrine during this 7th annual
State of the Union Address to Congress. It became a defining moment in
the foreign policy of the USA and be adopted by US Presidents including
Theodore Roosevelt, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and
Ronald Reagan.

The Intent and Impact of the Monroe Doctrine:

Its primary objective was to free the newly independent colonies of Latin
America from European intervention and control that would make the
New World a battle ground for the old. The doctrine put forward that the
New World and the Old World were to remain distinct separate spheres
of influences for they were composed of entirely separate and individual
nations.

The USA was no longer open to colonization by European powers. The

USA would consider any attempt on the part of European countries to
expand in America as dangerous to peace and safety. Similarly, America
recognized the obligation to refrain from interfering in European affairs.

The doctrine established 4 principles :

1) Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European powers.

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 2) America would consider any attempt of European powers to
expand ( or to extend their political system) as dangerous to peace
and safety.

3/USA will refrain from interfering in European affairs.

3) Similarly Europe will not interfere in U.S affairs.

Chapter V: The Westward Expansion

In early 19th century, the USA grew drastically in power (industrial
revolution) and geographic size. In 1812, with President Madison in
office, Congress declared war against the British.

Cause of the War:

The war between Britain and USA was caused by the British practice of
impressment which refers to the act of taking or recruiting men into a
navy by force with or without notice. The independent-minded Americans
were no longer willing to tolerate the offence to their sovereignty.

After the war of 1812, USA turned its attention to the issue of expansion.
The founding fathers had envisioned the country as a land of freedom
that would cover territories across the North-American continent. Their
descendents had not forgotten this desire and encouraged expansion
into western territories through laws and rhetoric.

1/Louisiana= the West

-The west had been enlarged by the Louisiana Purchase.

2/The Midwest
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-Between 1816 and 1821 six (6) new states throughout the Midwest were
admitted to the Union:

1816→ Indiana

1817→ Mississipi

1818→ Illinois

1819→ Alabama

1820→ Maine

1821→ Missouri

3/The Far West

After the Midwest had been substantially developed, the national focus
turned toward the far west:

-The territory of Texas controlled by the Spanish was settled by

Americans who eventually undertook the Texas rebellion in efforts to win
independence. When the USA admitted Texas to the Union in 1845, the
Mexican government was outraged and from 1846 to 1848 the two
nations fought the Mexican War. In 1848, The Mexican war ended and
the USA gained full control of Texas, New-Mexico and California
territories. Settlers migrated into these regions and it was clear that the
westward expansion was clearly linked to the future of slavery (Pro and
anti slavery states).The south and the north focused their energy on
pursuing their political objectives in the settled territories of the west.

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Despite efforts for reconciliation,( for example the Missouri Compromise
of 1850) , the Union was thrown into a Civil War over the issue of slavery
from 1861 to 1865 and westward expansion slowed due to the conflict.

- The Oregon territory was annexed in 1846 and USA controlled the land
all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

-By the early 20th century, the annexation of the west was completed and
the USA consisted of 48 contiguous states.

NOTA BENE : A REVOIR

1/On March 30, 1867, the United States reached an agreement to

purchase Alaska from Russia for a price of $7.2 million. The Treaty with
Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward
and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl.

2/ In 1898 Americans overthrow Hawaiian monarchy and proceed to the

annexation of the land.

Factors which favoured the Westward Expansion:

-Social network: Families of pioneers migrated westward and found new

communities throughout the Midwest. Explorers returned home from the
wilderness with stories of Great Stretches of beauty and fertile land.

-Intellectual network: Many painters and writers cited the American West

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as their source of inspiration and it symbolized the American Identity:
individualism and a willing to face new challenges.

-The land boom was encouraged by the Federal Government and land
speculators sold large portions of land to farmers at exorbitant prices
because land was closely linked to the development of Agriculture and
marketable products.

-The industrial Revolution and the National Transportation means

connected the Nation’s cities and towns through a system of roads,
canals and railroads. With the rise of transportation came progress in the
fields of Agriculture.

NB: Relations with Indians: A major aspect of the conquest of the

west was the displacement of the Indians who lived in the region. Under
the leadership of President Andrew Jackson, Indians who remained East
of the Mississippi River were cruelly and violently driven from their lands
and concentrated in reservations in what is now Oklahoma.

Chapter VI: American Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical doctrine which originated in America in
the late 1870s. It belongs both to the enlightenment and romanticism. It
was very so influential in the early 20th century that it became part of
American way of thinking and way of life.

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It focuses on practical matters, concrete things instead of "useless,
metaphysical specialism, absolutism and verbal solution." For
pragmatists, both the meaning and the truth of an idea or theory are
functions of its practical outcome. Pragmatists reject the idea of
absolutism or absolute truth. They believe that all principles should be
hypothesis. Pragmatism is a way of thinking and understanding the
practical implications of things.

 No certainty

 No absolutism

 No infallibility

Classical American Pragmatists

-Charles Sanders Pierce (1839-1914)

He was the founder of American pragmatism. He wrote a wide range of

topics from logic, semiotics (the philosophical theory of signs and
symbols) to psychology.

-William James (1842-1910)

He was an influential psychologist and theorist of religion as well as a

philosopher.

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-John Dewey (1859-1952)

He was a leading proponent of the American school of thought known

as Pragmatism, a view that rejected theoretical and metaphysical
aspects in favour of an approach that viewed knowledge as an active
participation of the individual to its context.

-William E. Dubois (1868-1963). He coined a well-known quotation

related to practical things and education: ″Children learn more from what
you are than what you teach.″

-Other pragmatists:

George Herbert Mead

Chancey Wright

Josiah Royce

What do pragmatists have in common?

They all believe in the power of education and empirical knowledge to

change human condition.

Chapter VII: Conclusion

Chapter VIII: Reading List

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Chapter IX: Suggested Links

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