Navigating Ethnicity and Race in American History

The video explores the concept of ethnicity, its historical roots, and its distinction from race. It discusses how ethnicity is defined by shared cultural origins and how it has evolved over time. The video also examines historical examples of ethnic categorization in the US, highlighting the fluidity of ethnic identities and their social implications. It concludes by inviting viewers to reflect on the evolving landscape of ethnicity.

What is one key difference between ethnicity and race?

• Race is a more recent concept than ethnicity.

• Race is defined by national origin.

• Ethnicity is based solely on physical traits.

• Ethnicity involves shared cultural origins.

In the early 20th century, what was a significant change in how social scientists viewed ethnicity?

• They began to see it as a fixed category.

• They started to use it to describe shared cultures without racial markers.

• They equated it with national origin.

• They considered it synonymous with race.

Which European ethnic group was considered a separate race in the 19th century US?

• Anglo-Saxons

• Celtics

• Iberics

• Slavs

What was the primary reason for the 1863 riots in New York City?

• A celebration of emancipation.

• A protest against racial integration.

• A response to the Civil War draft lottery.

• A demand for better working conditions.

What was a major factor in the assimilation of European ethnic groups into the majority culture?

• Changing definitions of race and class mobility.

• Their distinct cultural practices.

• Their shared physical traits with the majority.

• Their ability to pay the draft exemption fee.

Why were Irish Americans in the 1860s considered a separate race?

• They had distinct physical features.

• They were recent immigrants with different cultural practices.

• They were legally classified as a different race.

• They shared the same class status with African Americans.

What role does class status play in the assimilation of ethnic groups?

• It has no impact on assimilation.

• It determines the ease of assimilation into the majority culture.

• It only affects racial minorities.

• It is the sole factor in determining assimilation.

What is a common misconception about race and ethnicity?

• They are synonymous terms.

• They are stable and unchanging.

• They have no historical context.

• They are always based on physical traits.

How does the concept of heritage contribute to ethnicity?

• It is a shared contributor that can cause changes and new categories.

• It is irrelevant to ethnicity.

• It is a modern addition to the concept of ethnicity.

• It is the only factor that defines ethnicity.

Why can't sub-cultures be considered ethnicities?

• They are based on personal interests.

• They are too fluid to be categorized.

• They do not involve heritage.

• They lack a shared cultural origin.