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White Americans Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: White Americans: Demographics, Identity, and Sociocultural Dynamics

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White Americans: Demographics, Identity, and Sociocultural Dynamics Study Guide

Historical Construction of Racial Identity

The classification of 'Mexican' people on the US Census remained consistent from 1930 through 1950, always being considered a distinct racial category.

Answer: False

Explanation: The classification of 'Mexican' people on the US Census was not consistent; it was a distinct race in 1930 but was removed in 1940, with new directives classifying Mexicans as white unless they were of Indian or other nonwhite race.

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Benjamin Franklin believed that the Saxons of Germany and the English constituted the primary body of white people globally in the 18th century.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1751, Benjamin Franklin stated that the Saxons of Germany and the English 'make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth,' reflecting his perspective on global racial composition.

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David Roediger argued that the concept of the white race in the United States was constructed to mentally distance slave owners from slaves.

Answer: True

Explanation: David Roediger's argument posits that the construction of the white race in the United States served to create a mental and social distance between slave owners and enslaved individuals, reinforcing racial hierarchies.

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The white ruling class in early colonial Virginia established a clear distinction between European settlers and white indentured servants, who were protected as citizens, and chattel slaves of African descent, who were denied legal rights.

Answer: True

Explanation: In early colonial Virginia, the white ruling class indeed established a clear legal and social distinction, protecting European settlers and white indentured servants as citizens while denying legal rights to chattel slaves of African descent.

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The Spanish caste system, which established rigid social hierarchies, was directly transplanted to its colonies and influenced similar systems in other European colonies.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Spanish caste system, characterized by rigid social hierarchies based on perceived race, was indeed directly transplanted to its colonies and served as an influential model for similar systems in other European colonial endeavors.

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Who commented in 1751 that the Saxons of Germany and the English 'make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth'?

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Explanation: In 1751, Benjamin Franklin made the observation that the Saxons of Germany and the English constituted the 'principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth.'

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What was David Roediger's argument regarding the construction of the white race in the United States?

Answer: It was an effort to mentally distance slave owners from slaves.

Explanation: David Roediger argued that the concept of the white race in the United States was constructed as a means to mentally distance slave owners from enslaved individuals, thereby reinforcing the institution of slavery.

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In early colonial Virginia, how were chattel slaves of African descent differentiated from European settlers and white indentured servants?

Answer: They possessed no legal rights and were deemed inferior.

Explanation: In early colonial Virginia, chattel slaves of African descent were explicitly differentiated from European settlers and white indentured servants by being denied legal rights and being deemed inherently inferior.

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Ancestry, Genetics, and Ethnic Composition

In 1790, the white population of the United States was primarily composed of German and Irish descendants, with a smaller minority of English settlers.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 1790, the white population of the United States was primarily composed of English descendants, with German, Irish, and Scots forming smaller minorities.

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A 2015 genetic study concluded that German ancestry is the most common European ancestry among white Americans, ranging between 20% and 55% across different states.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 2015 genetic study identified British/Irish ancestry as the most common European ancestry among white Americans, not German ancestry.

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David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed' argues that America's regional cultures were primarily formed by migrations from various European countries, not just the British Isles.

Answer: False

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed' primarily argues that America's regional cultures were formed by four distinct mass migrations from specific regions of the British Isles, not from various European countries more broadly.

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Puritans from East Anglia settled New England between 1629 and 1640, according to David Hackett Fischer.

Answer: True

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer's research indicates that Puritans, primarily originating from East Anglia in Britain, settled the New England region between 1629 and 1640.

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A 2015 genetic study based on 23andMe DNA tests found that White Americans have an average of 98.6% European ancestry, with negligible sub-Saharan African and Native American ancestry.

Answer: True

Explanation: A 2015 genetic study utilizing 23andMe DNA tests reported that White Americans possess an average of 98.6% European ancestry, with sub-Saharan African and Native American ancestries being present in very small, negligible percentages (0.19% and 0.18% respectively).

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Self-identified White Hispanic and Latino Americans have a higher average European admixture than non-Hispanic or Latino whites.

Answer: False

Explanation: Genetic research indicates that self-identified White Hispanic and Latino Americans have a lower average European admixture (73%) compared to non-Hispanic or Latino whites (98.6%).

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The demography of English Americans is considered a serious under-count because many individuals of English descent tend to identify as 'British' rather than 'American'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The demography of English Americans is considered a significant under-count because many individuals of English descent tend to identify simply as 'Americans,' particularly if their families arrived before the American Revolution, rather than as 'British'.

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The 'Upland South regional culture,' as described by David Hackett Fischer, originated from settlers who migrated directly from England to Appalachia in the 17th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to David Hackett Fischer, the 'Upland South regional culture' originated from settlers who migrated from the borderlands between England and Scotland (sometimes via northern Ireland) to Appalachia between 1717 and 1775, not directly from England in the 17th century.

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A 2003 study on Y-chromosomes and mtDNA found a significant presence of African admixture in European Americans, indicating substantial historical intermixing.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 2003 study focusing on Y-chromosomes and mtDNA found that African admixture in European Americans was 'below the limits of detection,' suggesting a very low or negligible presence, rather than a significant one.

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What was the primary composition of the white population in the United States in 1790?

Answer: Primarily English descendants, with smaller minorities of Germans, Irish, and Scots.

Explanation: In 1790, the white population of the United States was primarily composed of English descendants, with smaller minorities of Germans, Irish, and Scots, reflecting the dominant European settlement patterns of the era.

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According to a 2015 genetic study, what is the most common European ancestry among white Americans?

Answer: British/Irish ancestry

Explanation: A 2015 genetic study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics concluded that British/Irish ancestry is the most common European ancestry among white Americans.

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According to David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed,' which group settled New England between 1629 and 1640?

Answer: Puritans from East Anglia

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer's 'Albion's Seed' identifies Puritans from East Anglia as the group that settled New England between 1629 and 1640.

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What was the average European admixture found in self-identified White Hispanic and Latino Americans, according to genetic research?

Answer: 73%

Explanation: Genetic research indicates that self-identified White Hispanic and Latino Americans have an average European admixture of 73%.

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Why is the demography of English Americans considered a serious under-count in self-reported ancestry?

Answer: They often identify simply as 'Americans', especially if their families arrived before the American Revolution.

Explanation: The demography of English Americans is considered a significant under-count because many individuals of English descent, particularly those whose families arrived before the American Revolution, tend to identify simply as 'Americans' in self-reported ancestry.

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According to David Hackett Fischer, which British group migrated to Appalachia between 1717 and 1775, forming the 'Upland South regional culture'?

Answer: Settlers from the borderlands between England and Scotland.

Explanation: David Hackett Fischer identifies settlers from the borderlands between England and Scotland as the group that migrated to Appalachia between 1717 and 1775, thereby forming the 'Upland South regional culture.'

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What was the finding of a 2003 study on Y-chromosomes and mtDNA regarding African admixture in European Americans?

Answer: It found African admixture was 'below the limits of detection.'

Explanation: A 2003 study focusing on Y-chromosomes and mtDNA concluded that African admixture in European Americans was 'below the limits of detection,' suggesting a minimal or unquantifiable presence through these genetic markers.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the most commonly reported ancestries among White Americans, according to 2020 US Census data?

Answer: French

Explanation: According to 2020 US Census data, French ancestry is not listed among the most commonly reported ancestries for White Americans, which include English, German, Irish, Italian, and Polish.

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Socioeconomic Status and Disparities

White Americans generally have the highest median household income and personal income levels in the nation, surpassing all other racial groups.

Answer: False

Explanation: White Americans have the second-highest median household income and personal income levels in the nation, trailing Asian Americans, not the highest overall.

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Jewish Americans are noted for ranking highest in household income, personal income, and educational attainment among all White American subgroups.

Answer: True

Explanation: Among White American subgroups, Jewish Americans consistently rank highest in household income, personal income, and educational attainment, demonstrating a high level of socioeconomic achievement.

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Despite having the second-lowest poverty rate among racial groups, non-Hispanic whites still account for nearly half of all Americans living in poverty due to their majority status.

Answer: True

Explanation: While non-Hispanic whites have the second-lowest poverty rate among racial groups, their majority status means they still account for a substantial proportion (48%) of all Americans living in poverty.

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In 2005, gender income inequality was lowest among Whites, with White men and women earning nearly equal median incomes.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to 2005 Census Bureau data, gender income inequality was greatest among Whites, with White men outearning White women by 48%, indicating a significant disparity rather than near equality.

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How do White Americans rank in terms of median household income compared to other racial groups in the nation?

Answer: Second-highest

Explanation: White Americans hold the second-highest median household income in the nation, trailing only Asian Americans.

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Which subgroup among White Americans ranks highest in household income, personal income, and educational attainment?

Answer: Jewish Americans

Explanation: Among White American subgroups, Jewish Americans are noted for ranking highest in household income, personal income, and educational attainment.

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What percentage of all Americans living in poverty are non-Hispanic white, despite their relatively low poverty rate?

Answer: 48%

Explanation: Despite having the second-lowest poverty rate among racial groups, non-Hispanic whites still account for 48% of all Americans living in poverty due to their large population size.

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According to 2005 Census Bureau data, what was the extent of gender income inequality among Whites?

Answer: White men outearned White women by 48%.

Explanation: According to 2005 Census Bureau data, gender income inequality was most significant among Whites, with White men outearning White women by 48%.

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Political Affiliation and Voting Patterns

The Democratic Party last secured a majority of White voters in a US presidential election in 1968.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Democratic Party last secured a majority of White voters in a US presidential election in 1964, not 1968. Since 1968, a majority of White Americans have consistently voted Republican.

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Donald Trump secured a majority of the non-Hispanic white votes in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

Answer: True

Explanation: Donald Trump indeed secured a majority of the non-Hispanic white votes in both the 2016 (57%) and 2020 (58%) presidential elections.

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What was the last US presidential election in which the Democratic Party secured a majority of White voters?

Answer: 1964

Explanation: The 1964 United States presidential election was the last instance where the Democratic Party secured a majority of White voters.

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What percentage of the non-Hispanic white votes did Donald Trump win in the 2020 presidential election?

Answer: 58%

Explanation: In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump won 58% of the non-Hispanic white votes.

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Cultural and Social Characteristics

White Americans are more likely to reside in rural areas and small towns compared to their black counterparts.

Answer: False

Explanation: White Americans are more likely to reside in suburbs and small cities compared to their Black counterparts, but the provided data does not specifically indicate a higher likelihood of residing in rural areas.

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Where are White Americans more likely to reside compared to their black counterparts?

Answer: Suburbs and small cities.

Explanation: White Americans are more likely to reside in suburbs and small cities compared to their Black counterparts, reflecting distinct residential patterns.

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