Explanation: European Americans are broadly defined as individuals with ancestry tracing back to Europe. This demographic encompasses descendants of the earliest European settlers in the United States, as well as more recent immigrants, and has historically constituted the largest panethnic group in the U.S. since the 17th century.

Explanation: According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 120,114,876 individuals provided detailed European write-in ancestry responses, representing a significant portion of the population.

Explanation: Historical census data indicates that many individuals of British ancestry tended to identify their origin as 'American' rather than specifying British heritage, leading to an undercount of this specific ancestry.

Explanation: The census response 'American' or 'United States' as an ancestry typically signifies identification with nationality rather than a specific European ethnic origin, reflecting a complex interplay of assimilation and identity.

Explanation: A 1995 survey indicated that 'European American' was the preferred term for only 2.35% of respondents, whereas 'White' was preferred by a significantly larger majority (61.66%).

Explanation: Northwestern European Americans typically include individuals from countries such as Britain, Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Poland, Russia, and Hungary are generally categorized under Eastern European Americans.

Explanation: Eastern European Americans primarily include individuals from countries like Poland, Russia, and Hungary. Italians, Greeks, and Portuguese are typically categorized under Southern European Americans.

Explanation: Critics argue that broad terms like 'White' and 'European' can obscure significant distinctions among diverse populations, potentially leading to the homogenization of distinct cultural heritages.

Explanation: The proportion of the U.S. population identifying as European American decreased from 81.1% in 1800 to 72.4% in 2010, reflecting demographic shifts and increased diversity.

Explanation: Contrary to complete assimilation, groups such as Italians, Greeks, and Poles have, particularly since the 1960s, shown a tendency to maintain and express high levels of ethnic identity, often alongside broader American cultural integration.

Explanation: 'Wonder-breading' is a term used critically to describe the tendency to view Americans of European descent as a monolithic group, potentially erasing distinct cultural heritages, rather than a successful homogenization.

Explanation: In a 1995 survey, 61.66% of respondents preferred the term 'White,' significantly more than the 2.35% who preferred 'European American'.

Explanation: The Eastern European American subgroup typically comprises individuals from countries such as Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, largely arriving during the 'New Immigration' waves.

Explanation: The critical perspective that broad terms like 'White' or 'European' can obscure specific ethnic identities and cultural heritages is often termed 'wonder-breading'.

Explanation: The primary categories for subgrouping European Americans typically include Northwestern, Eastern, and Southern European Americans. 'Western European Americans' is not listed as a distinct main category in the provided context.

Explanation: The term 'White Anglo-Saxon Protestant' (WASP) traditionally denotes Americans of English, Protestant, and Northern European descent, historically associated with the dominant cultural elite.

Explanation: The census response of 'American' or 'United States' ancestry typically indicates an identification with national identity over a specific European ethnic origin, reflecting assimilation or a preference for national affiliation.

Explanation: A primary criticism of broad demographic terms like 'White' or 'European' is their potential to obscure crucial distinctions between diverse groups and diminish the recognition of unique cultural heritages.

Explanation: The proportion of European-born individuals among the foreign-born population in the U.S. decreased significantly between 1960 and 2010, falling from 75.0% to 12.1%.

Explanation: Prior to 1881, the majority of immigrants to the U.S. originated from Northwestern Europe, a period often referred to as 'Old Immigration.' Immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe increased significantly after 1881, marking the era of 'New Immigration'.

Explanation: The period between 1901 and 1910 was characterized by one of the highest influxes of European immigrants, with over 8.1 million arrivals, not the lowest.

Explanation: Between 1820 and 1978, Germany contributed the largest number of immigrants to the U.S. (6.9 million), followed by Italy (5.2 million) and Ireland (4.7 million).

Explanation: The 1924 Immigration Act (National Origins Act) established quotas based on the 1890 U.S. census, which significantly limited immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe while favoring those from Northwestern Europe.

Explanation: The period following 1881, marked by a surge in immigrants from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, is historically termed 'New Immigration,' contrasting with the earlier 'Old Immigration' from Northwestern Europe.

Explanation: Between 1820 and 1978, Germany, Italy, and Ireland were among the top contributors of immigrants. Sweden was a significant source but not as large as these three in total numbers during that specific period.

Explanation: 'Old Immigration' refers to the period preceding 1881, characterized by a majority of immigrants originating from Northwestern European countries such as Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Explanation: The proportion of European-born individuals within the U.S. foreign-born population experienced a substantial decline, falling from 75.0% in 1960 to 10.9% in 2016.

Explanation: The period from 1901 to 1910 represents a major wave of European immigration to the U.S., experiencing the highest number of arrivals between 1820 and 1970.

Explanation: The National Origins Act of 1924 utilized the 1890 U.S. census data to establish quotas, thereby favoring immigration from Northwestern European countries.

Explanation: Historically, the U.S. Census Bureau has categorized European immigration by distinguishing between 'Old Immigration' (pre-1881, primarily Northwestern Europe) and 'New Immigration' (post-1881, from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe).

Explanation: The 2020 Census data indicates that British Americans (46.6 million) and German Americans (45 million) were the largest self-reported European ancestry groups, with British Americans slightly exceeding German Americans in reported numbers.

Explanation: A 2015 genetic study concluded that British ancestry was the most prevalent European ancestry among white Americans, not German ancestry.

Explanation: Genetic studies indicate that while European Americans are predominantly of European descent, a portion, particularly in the Southern U.S., possesses varying amounts of Native American and African ancestry.

Explanation: Scandinavian ancestry among European Americans is not evenly distributed; it is notably concentrated in specific regions, particularly Minnesota and the Dakotas, rather than being significant across all 50 states.

Explanation: The 2020 U.S. Census identified British Americans as the largest self-reported European ancestry group, with 46.6 million individuals reporting this heritage.

Explanation: A 2015 genetic study indicated that British ancestry was the most prevalent European ancestry among white Americans, found across all states.

Explanation: Scandinavian ancestry among European Americans shows a distinct regional concentration, being particularly significant in Minnesota and the Dakotas, rather than being evenly distributed.

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer's research posits that the folkways originating from four distinct groups within the United Kingdom profoundly influenced the development of American society, politics, and economy.

Explanation: The English language and the common law system in the United States are foundational elements directly influenced by the cultural and legal traditions of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Explanation: While popularized in the United States, the origins of hamburgers and hot dogs are attributed to German immigrants, indicating a clear European lineage for these foods.

Explanation: The origins of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday are commonly traced to a 1621 harvest feast involving British settlers from Plymouth Colony and members of the Wampanoag tribe.

Explanation: Baseball has roots in English games, while golf originated in Scotland. The earliest recorded games of base-ball were played in England, and golf originated in 15th-century Scotland.

Explanation: The melody for 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is based on 'To Anacreon in Heaven,' an 18th-century English song composed by John Stafford Smith.

Explanation: The American legal system is primarily influenced by European traditions, notably French philosophy and English common law, rather than Asian philosophies or indigenous tribal laws as its primary sources.

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer argues that the folkways of four distinct British groups significantly shaped core aspects of American society, including its democratic politics, capitalist economy, and libertarian legal framework.

Explanation: The earliest recorded game of base-ball, as mentioned in the source, occurred in London in 1748.

Explanation: The melody for 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was adapted from 'To Anacreon in Heaven,' an English song composed by John Stafford Smith.

Explanation: Golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century and was subsequently introduced to America by Scottish immigrants.

Explanation: English is the predominant language spoken by European Americans, reflecting the historical dominance of English-speaking settlers and the widespread adoption of the language.

Explanation: The U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is historically linked to a 1621 harvest feast shared between British settlers of Plymouth Colony and Native Americans.

Explanation: The American legal system is significantly influenced by European intellectual traditions, particularly French philosophy and the principles of English common law.

Explanation: Scottish immigrants are credited with introducing fried chicken to the culinary traditions of the Southern United States.

Explanation: The first golf course in America, established in 1888, was named Saint Andrew's Golf Club, after the renowned golf club in Scotland.

Explanation: The idiom 'As American as apple pie' implies that apple pie is a quintessential or highly characteristic symbol of American culture.

Explanation: While Spaniards established the first continuous European presence in St. Augustine, Florida, Russians were the first Europeans to settle in Alaska.

Explanation: Virginia Dare, the first British child born in the Americas, was born in the Roanoke Colony in 1587, not the later Jamestown Colony.

Explanation: St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565, is recognized as the site of the first Spanish settlement in the contiguous United States. Russian settlement occurred primarily in Alaska.

Explanation: Spain established the first continuous European presence in the contiguous United States with the founding of St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565.