Research the census data from 1790 and 2000. Submit a report comparing some of the information contained in the reports. For example, where was the demographic center of the country in each instance? How was ethnicity reported? How is census information used? What strikes you as the most interesting aspects of the reports?
The concept of collecting census data has been around for thousands of years. It was a census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem when Jesus was born. But it wasn't until the United States declared its independence and became its own country that counts were taken so consistently, or census records so well maintained.
There are many uses for census data, but the primary purpose for the creation of the US Federal Census was for tax and representation reasons1. Congress mandated a decennial population count in order to determine how to tax each state. But the data has found many other helpful uses.
Population changes and migration patterns can be mapped based on census records. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise anyone to hear that New York City has been the most populous urban US city on every census since 1790, but the rest of the list has seen some major differences. In 1790, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was in second place with 28,522 people, but falls to fifth place in 2000 with one and a half million people! There are cities in the 2000 census that did not exist in 1790, like Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and of course, Forney. But ironically, one of the two cities that tied for 10th place in 1790 - Southwark, Pennsylvania - doesn't exist today. What is interesting to research is how historical events affect the population densities of different areas of the United States. After railroads reached the west cost, and the Gold Rush fever brought people out, San Francisco hit the population list in just a few short years and by 1900 was in the top ten. Between 1860 and 1870, several cities in the south dropped off the top 100 cities rankings completely, I'm sure as a direct result of the Civil War.
Although not very accurately, census records have shown ethnic population changes. Not accurately because of the way blacks were counted in the decades since the first census, and the lack of counts for other racial groups at the time.
As industrialization caused cites to grow in leaps and bounds, political bosses started to take power. As the 19th Century came to a close, almost every sizable city had a political boss, or at least had one rising to power. Tons of immigrants from every part of the world began to pour into the major cities. Cities have had diversity in the past, but the huge diversity of the American cities was unique.
Historians stepped back to evaluate the significant historical facts were, and eliminate the non-historical facts. They used statistics to evaluate these. The censuses opened up a different perspective, substantiated by facts, rather than prejudices and assumptions. Evaluating the census numbers from 1910 to 1970 showed that the migration started well before the Dust Bowl. While it may have been a contributing factor, it was not the sole factor. An objective look at what else was going on at the
In 1833 the population of the newly incorporated town of Chicago was 250 people, by 1854, only 20 years later, the population had swelled to over 75 thousand. The city of Chicago had ascended from a tiny trading outpost to a thriving metropolis at an unprecedented speed.
Controlling the population to aid counterinsurgency actions were seen by both men as essential. They both agreed that creating a census card to control the population would be very useful. The purpose of the census is to cut off, or at least reduce significantly, the contact between the population and the guerrillas. By watching the population’s activities after a while, the counterinsurgent personnel will be familiar with the population and easily spot unusual behavior patterns. Society could be kept in a somewhat organized mode to feel psychologically safe and thus help with the political mindset of the populous.
The beginning of the population was predominately white. In 1800 the population of Cleaveland was what now would be an unheard of 7. In 10 years however the population grew to 57, 10 years following that increasing by almost %1100! What did 1840 now spell, as “Cleveland” was the 45th largest city in the nation at 6,071 people. Decade by decade Cleveland grew, becoming more of a populated city then others. Just 40 years after being the 45th largest city in the nation it was the 12th. When the 20th century came around Cleveland was proud to be the 7th largest city in the nation with 381,768 people. Although Cleveland never became the largest city in the nation, the closest they got was 5th with 900,429 people. Interesting enough, even though that was the highest position Cleveland ever got, that wasn’t the highest the population ever was. In 1950 the population was 914,808 which put them in 7th place.
In the United States, for the last four decades, from Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan through the two Bush Presidencies, the Republican Party won the White House by amassing large margins among white voters (Lizza.) The state of Texas has been reliably Republican since the 1970s and there are various elements to Texas political culture that can be narrowed down to three essential ideological trends: economic liberalism, or faith in the free market economy, social conservatism, or favoring traditional values and moralism, and populism, or promoting the rights and worthiness of ordinary people (Texas Political Culture.) As a result, the dominant political mood in Texas favors low taxes, minimal government services, and policies that are pro-business. This phenomenon is not static, however, since changing demographics in the state are causing changes in the profile of Texas in reference to electoral politics, among other major issues. This paper will explore different perspectives about the changing demographics of Texas, and where they might lead the state politically, and will present a variety of viewpoints regarding this complex subject.
6 American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2008. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. http:// factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&- qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_&-_ lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=
The progression of people into and within the United States has had an essential impact on the nation, both intentionally and unintentionally. Progressions such as The Great Migration and the Second Great Migration are examples of movements that impacted the United States greatly. During these movements, African Americans migrated to flee racism and prejudice in the South, as well as to inquire jobs in industrial cities. They were unable to escape racism, but they were able to infuse their culture into American society. During the twentieth century, economic and political problems led to movements such as The Great Migration and The Second Great Migration which impacted the United States significantly.
Mount, Steve. “Constitutional Topic: The Census.” USConstitution.net. 3 Jan. 2011. Web. 31 July 2011. .
The United States experienced major waves of immigration during the colonial era, the first part of the 19th century and from the 1880s to 1920. Many people immigrated to America for
States in areas such as urban population, employment and many other ways. The mass number of
Over the years, the United States has evolved into a place where culture defines the American experience. Despite the difficulties that come when people have different life experiences, diversity carries strong importance in many organizations. Diversity comes in many forms such as race, age, income, and background. However, the most relevant is race. Race is defined as categories that generally reflect a social definition recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically ("What is race?," 2012) . Race is determined by self-identification.
The market Revolution brought many changes, six of them were significant.The growth of the Cities was one change. The expansion of markets and the growth of the factories brought a slow urbanization. 5% of Americans lived in towns of less than 8,000 in 1830. That number triple to 16 percent in 1850. In 1840 the largest city in the nation had a population of 300,000. This was New York City (Schultz, 2013).
The industrial revolution was one of the causes of over population in Mexico City today. Once the revolution began people started moving to Mexico City. These people stayed in the city, started a family and a new life. Another factor that caused the overpopulation was the birth rate being higher than the death rate. (Viewpoints 263) “ This built-up was caused by people moving to Mexico City, causing a rapid growth in the population which, eventually, led to an increase of size of the city.
Major demographic changes happened from the 1960’s through the 2000’s, according to Charles Hill, “As of the late 1960’s four major facts described the demographics: first, U.S. dominance in the world economy and in the trade picture. Second, U.S. dominance in foreign direct investment (FDI). Third, U.S. dominance of large, multinational firms on the international business scene. Fourth, roughly half of the globe were centrally planned economies of the communist world (not surprising they failed so miserably), and was off-limits to western international business.” (2013, p. 16)