The United States has always been a nation with a diverse population of various races, religions, and ethnic groups. The move toward diversity by this nation started with the exploration of North America by European countries.

Click on the link below to watch The Great American Melting Pot.

The Great American Melting Pot

The term “melting pot” comes from an early 1900s stage play about the lives of a Russian immigrant family in America. At the time, the term was a metaphor for the various European ethnicities that assimilated into American society. While few people still refer to the diversity of the United States as a “melting pot,” there are other terms such as “tomato soup” and “tossed salad” that are used today.

Click on the link below to read an article about these metaphors and answer the questions that follow: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4931534.stm

1. Why does the “melting pot” metaphor no longer apply to the diversity of America? Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Sample Answer

   Recent immigrants to America maintain their cultural traits as opposed to early immigrants who focused on assimilating to the American culture.
2. According to the information in the article, how does the metaphor “tomato soup” relate to American diversity? Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Sample Answer

   The metaphor of tomato soup refers to how the various cultures of the United States can add their unique characteristics to the American culture without changing it. Blending the differences only makes America better.
3. How does the metaphor, “tossed salad,” describe the diversity in American culture? Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

   Sample Answer

   The metaphor, "tossed salad," refers to the fact that much like a salad with different ingredients, American culture includes immigrants who retain their own cultural characteristics that add to that of the United States.

European exploration set the wheels of immigration to North America in motion. Soon after explorers claimed land for their respective countries, the people began to settle in these areas. In this lesson, you will learn about the various immigrant groups that came to the United States and the reasons why they immigrated or migrated to this area.