U.S.A.

Facts, Cultures
Elections, Educational &
Political Systems,
Sports & Traditions.
DO YOU KNOW?
How many continents in the world?
6 (Asia, America, Africa, Europe, Australia, and Antarctica
Continents)
How many oceans in the world?
5 (Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans)
1. Who found America?
Columbus in the 15th century
2. The first people on the American Continent came from?
Asia
3. The Native America is also called…..?
Indians
- Capital:
Washington D.C.

Quick facts
-

and figures
about USA
 Quick facts and figures
(cont.)
- Population:
-

3rd place (after China and India) with ~333 million people (2021 Worldometer)
- Ethnic proportion:
White Americans (60.1%), Hispanic Americans (18.5%), African Americans
(12.2%), Native Americans/Indies (0.7%), Asian American (5.6%), others (3%)
(2019 Census)
- Currency:
USD
 Quick facts and
figures (cont.)
- Language:
-
No official language, but English is the primary language
Out of 50 states, 30 have established English as the only official language, while
Hawaii recognizes both English and Hawaiian as official and Alaska has made
some 20 native languages official, along with English.
- “Melting pots” & “Mosaics”:
Melting pots: people from all over the world would come and adopt the American
culture as their own.
Mosaic: a picture of USA made of many different cultures and people
THE U.S.
POLITICAL
SYSTEM
 Indirect democracy

 Constitution-based federal republic

-
 Government
• President is the leader of the national
government.
• Each state has a governor as its leader.
(50 states)
• Below state level are county and city
governments.
 The Tripartition of Power

100 members

435 members 9 justices nominated by

the president and must be
approved be the senate
THE US ELECTION
I/ WHAT IS US ELECTIONS?
II/ THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
TRUMP vs BIDEN
1. Voting
I/ WHAT IS US ELECTIONS
-Eligibility - American’s right to vote.

an indirect democracy
any citizen who is at least 18 years old can vote.
- How to vote
* It is also voluntary; no one can be forced to vote

* You can vote on the Election day, which usually takes place in a public building,
such as a school, recreation center, city hall, or firehouse.

* You can also vote by mail by submitting what is known as an absentee ballot.
Absentee ballots are especially useful for those who have difficulty getting to the
polling place or who are away from their hometowns on election day.
2. How does US
elections work?
America is essentially
a two-party system:
the Republicans and
the Democrats
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
LOGOS
- the donkey logo
- originated back in 1828, during the
presidential campaign of Democrat
Andrew Jackson.
- he decided to use the image of a
strong-willed animal on his campaign
posters.
- the elephant logo
- originated during the Civil War when
the first Republican Abraham Lincoln
was elected to the White House.
- the phrase “Seeing the Elephant” was
an expression used by soldiers
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
IDEALS

- believes in a strong - pushes for a more limited and

government, in which the less controlling government.
government has a more
progressive approach to helping
citizens of the US
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
ECONOM
Y
- support cutting taxes whenever
- push for a progressive taxation on
citizens, meaning the higher a possible without hurting the overall
person’s income the higher their tax budget and the nation’s debt.
should be, and the person that
- also support free market competition,
receives lower income should be
taxed less. entrepreneurship such as starting
your own business, and capitalism.
- believe that everyone should have a
job that pays enough to raise - believe that every American deserves
family. the right to own, invest, build and
prosper.
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
HEALTHCARE
- support a more federally funded
healthcare program.
- support to keep healthcare private,
- during his presidency, Barack Obama meaning that citizens are given choices on
began the federally funded healthcare the healthcare provider that they would
program Obamacare, which ensured all like to use.
citizens with access to affordable
healthcare. - healthcare providers compete with
each other to provide affordable
- also want to ensure that all citizens healthcare.
can pay for their healthcare expenses..
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
MILITARY
- believe that the key to protecting America
- strongly believe that the production of
is maintaining a strong, traditional
nuclear material must stop.
military.

- would like to see that nuclear

- believe that the country should have a
weapons worldwide be safeguarded.
strong and comprehensive defense
system.
- would like to reduce the nation's
budget on military defense spending
- their views on the military are centered
and believe that peace is achieved
around the belief on strengthening the
through worldwide relationship
military will build a safer world and a
building with other nations..
better guarantee for peace..
 DEMOCRATS vs REPUBLICANS
IMMIGRATION

- do not promote strict - promote strict immigration

immigration restrictions restrictions
.
 How do the elections work
in the US?

Nominees Candidate
Nominees run campaign to Candidate continue to
become the candidate for their run for office until
party. November

President
The US next president is decided
by the Electoral College’s vote
 ELECTORAL COLLEGE
538 electors
270 or half of the 538 votes
100
+ senators
+ 3
435
representatives
electors from the
district of
Columbia
ELECTION BY STATES

You can enter some text here to

explain this map:

REPUBLICAN
Mercury is the closest
planet from the Sun

DEMOCRAT
Venus is the second
planet from the Sun
“Voting gives you a say in who will represent your voice.
By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic
process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them
and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens'
interests to build, and develop their own nation.”
THE RESULT OF THE US PRESIDENCY: Joe Biden wins
the election with 306 votes out of 270. Meanwhile,
Trump has 232 votes.
 270

306 232

DONALD
JOE BIDEN
TRUMP
THE WINNER OF PRESIDENCY THE “LAME DUCK”
 Discussion
points
How many parties does What are some similarities
your country have? and differences of the
voting system between the
COMMUNIST PART
US and Vietnam?
Similarities: any citizen who is over 18 years can
vote voluntarily.

Differences: Citizens directly vote for the

representatives in the Congress, and then the
representatives will decide who will be the
president in Vietnam through voting in the
 The economy
- Free enterprise system
- There has been a shift from agriculture to industry and from industry to
services.
- An advanced industrialised economy.
- Leading producer of fuel – oil, gas, coal and other minerals. A major
consumer of resources. The world's leading exporter of food.
- The service industry including finance, advertising and tourism.
- Manufacturing industries include petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace,
telecommunications, food processing, lumber and mining.
 The religion
Christian
● The vast majority of people in the USA are ……………..
(Jews) Judaism
● ………………………...is the largest non-Christian faith (around 1.6%) , followed

by Islam (0.5%) as well as all other major faiths such as buddhism, sikhism,
atheists
etc.

● Around 15% of Americans consider themselves…………………..

● Religion plays a large role in politics especially at presidential elections.

 The Family
● The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small.

● Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their

children and stay in contact with them.

● Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the family unit.

● People are proud of their individual accomplishments, initiative and success, and

may, or may not, share those sources of pride with their elders.

● American cultures value the youth than age. In 2020, 1 in every 6 Americans are over

the age of 65
THE U.S.
EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM
 EDUCATION
Elementary school three basic levels Junior high school

Kindergarten – 6th grade 7th grade – 8th or 9th grade

9th or 10th grade – 12th grade High school

 EDUCATION
- Responsibility of a state and local government
rather than national government.
- Children required to go to school from 7 to 16
years old
- 90% attends public schools, 10% left joins in
private schools, often are associated with a religion
- Students are graded with letter
GPA is on a scale from 0.0 to 4.0 and very
important to continue studying in the university.
 Advanced Schooling

Community colleges
Colleges or Universities
(junior colleges)
4-year programs
2-year programs
public or private schools
public schools
private schools cost more than
tuition costs are low
public ones
 SCHOOL LIFE
SCHOOL
EDUCATION RELAXED SEGREGATIO
CRISIS SYSTEM N
Poor academic records Students spend 180 days at school. School segregation officially
Undereducated Functional 20 hours a week with most terminated in 1954
illiteracy is believed to reach afternoons free for extracurricular Since 1971, busing policy
20% activities aimed at integration of
minorities
Particular bad situation for
black students and Hispanics
 Discussion
What are some differences between the
educational system in the US and the
educational system in Vietnam?
VIETNAM
US
 Culture, Leisure,
Entertainment, Sports
 Cuisine

● They consume large amounts of processed and fast foods such as

hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

● 60% of Americans are considered to be obese.

● The tendency towards ‘junk foods’ is cultural – convenience/processed food

is quicker, cheaper, larger, tastier and therefore better.

● Cuisines can differ from region to region. Cheese steaks are synonymous

with Philadelphia whereas fajitas and chili stews are much more new Mexico.

● Within cities it is also possible to find food from around the world as well as

representative of the many immigrant communities from Europe, Africa and

Arts, music, literature
● American literature very much came to the fore in the nineteenth
century and continued ever since. Famous American writers
include Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
 Arts, music, literature
● Sport is very popular in the USA with American football,
baseball, basketball and ice- hockey being the most
popular.

● The USA traditionally does very well in the Olympics.

 Arts, music, literature
● Jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, RNB are some of the many genres of
music created in the USA and still listened today.

● Art is very popular in the us with galleries to be found nationwide.

Meeting and greetings

● American greetings are generally quite informal and casual.

● They introduce with handshakes or with a ”what’s up?”, “How you
doing?” Or “how are you”? Depending on where in the US you are.
● Rather than say “bye” Americans may also use terms such as “call
me some time,” “let’s do lunch” or “see you around” as politer
ways of departing.
● If introducing someone, use their full name and a bit of
information about them, for example, “this is Anh Tran; she works
at the local university as an English teacher.”
Personal space
● Americans do not tend to like close contact with others.
● 2-3 feet of personal space during conversations is the norm.
● For most Americans there is little or no touching ever with people
they first meet although this may be much different within the
community itself. This will also be different between good friends
and family.
● In public, such as in parks or on the bus, people try to give one
another space.
Visiting a home
● Being invited to an American’s home can be fairly informal.
● One should dress casually but also smart and arrive no later than
10-15 minutes
● late without notifying your host that you will be late is considered
disrespectful.
● If an invite says 6pm-8pm it is polite to leave as close to 8pm as
possible.
● It is a good idea to bring a gift or if there is going to be some food,
then some drinks.
Taboos

● Do not spit.
● Do not discuss race, religion, politics or sex.
● Do not swear.
● Do not discuss the wrong/rights of abortion.
● Do not assume you can smoke anywhere, even outside
Titles

● Most Americans move to a first name basis pretty quickly.

● Always start by addressing people using Mr/Mrs/Miss + surname
until you are invited to call them otherwise.
● Some, such as doctors, will use their professional titles
Meetings
● Arrive on time for meetings since time and punctuality are so important to
Americans.
● In the Northeast and Midwest, people are extremely punctual and view it as a sign
of disrespect for someone to be late for a meeting or appointment.
● In the Southern and Western states, people may be a little more relaxed.
● If you make a presentation, it should be direct and to the point. Visual aids should
further enhance your case.
● Use statistics to back up your claims, since Americans are impressed by hard data
and evidence.
● With the emphasis on controlling time, business is conducted rapidly.
● Expect very little small talk before getting down to business. It is common to attempt
to reach an oral agreement at the first meeting.
● The emphasis is on getting a contract signed rather than building a relationship. The
 Social stratification

● America in theory is not a ‘class’ based society.

● ‘The American dream’ is based on the premise that anyone, from any

background can

achieve anything from ‘rags to riches.’

● In reality some social stratification does exist mainly based on economics

and ethnicity.
Culture and characteristics of
American
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLTCXNqjiE8
Holidays
Independence Day (7/4)
From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been
celebrated as the birth of American independence, with
festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts
to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
Christmas (12/25)
● Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and
public holiday in countries around the world, including
many whose populations are mostly non-Christian.
● The day honoring the birth of Jesus.
● Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating
Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with
family and friends,…
 Thanksgiving
_ Occurs on the 4th Thursday in November
_ Based on the colonial Pilgrims' 1621 harvest meal.
● A day for Americans to gather for a day of feasting, praying and family
and expressing their gratitude
● House are decorated with dried leaf, wreaths, fresh and dried flowers
● The feast usually contains turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin
pie,…
 Halloween (October 31)
● Originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would
light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
● Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating,
carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating
treats or watching horrors movies.
● Young women believed that on Halloween they could divine the name or
appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple
parings or mirrors
● When Jack died, God didn’t allow him into heaven, and the Devil didn’t let
him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity.
Presidents’ day (third Monday in February)
George Washington: 1st president
Abraham Lincoln: brought the country through the civil war
Memorial day (last Monday in May)
American soldiers
Labor day (First Monday in September)
American workers
Columbus day (Second Monday in October)
Martin Luther King Jr. (January, third Monday)
He led the civil right movement – the struggle for equal rights for Black
Americans
Veterans day (11/11)
Mark the end of the World War I
 THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING!