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Title: The US really has 11 separate 'nations' with entirely different cultures
Source:
Business Insider
URL Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/the- ... ns-of-the-united-states-2015-7
Published: Jul 31, 2015
Author: Matthew Speiser
Post Date: 2015-07-31 13:23:17 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 1851
Comments: 30
In his fourth book, "American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures in North America," award-winning author Colin Woodard identifies 11 distinct cultures that have historically divided the US. "The country has been arguing about a lot of fundamental things lately including state roles and individual liberty," Woodard, a Maine native who won the 2012 George Polk Award for investigative reporting, told Business Insider. "[But] in order to have any productive conversation on these issues," he added, "you need to know where you come from. Once you know where you are coming from it will help move the conversation forward." Here's how Woodard describes each nation: Encompassing the entire Northeast north of New York City and spreading through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Yankeedom values education, intellectual achievement, communal empowerment, and citizen participation in government as a shield against tyranny. Yankees are comfortable with government regulation. Woodard notes that Yankees have a "Utopian streak." The area was settled by radical Calvinists. A highly commercial culture, New Netherland is "materialistic, with a profound tolerance for ethnic and religious diversity and an unflinching commitment to the freedom of inquiry and conscience," according to Woodard. It is a natural ally with Yankeedom and encompasses New York City and northern New Jersey. The area was settled by the Dutch. Settled by English Quakers, The Midlands are a welcoming middle-class society that spawned the culture of the "American Heartland." Political opinion is moderate, and government regulation is frowned upon. Woodard calls the ethnically diverse Midlands "America's great swing region." Within the Midlands are parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Tidewater was built by the young English gentry in the area around the Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina. Starting as a feudal society that embraced slavery, the region places a high value on respect for authority and tradition. Woodard notes that Tidewater is in decline, partly because "it has been eaten away by the expanding federal halos around D.C. and Norfolk." Colonized by settlers from the war-ravaged borderlands of Northern Ireland, northern England, and the Scottish lowlands, Greater Appalachia is stereotyped as the land of hillbillies and rednecks. Woodard says Appalachia values personal sovereignty and individual liberty and is "intensely suspicious of lowland aristocrats and Yankee social engineers alike." It sides with the Deep South to counter the influence of federal government. Within Greater Appalachia are parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois, and Texas. The Deep South was established by English slave lords from Barbados and was styled as a West Indies-style slave society, Woodard notes. It has a very rigid social structure and fights against government regulation that threatens individual liberty. Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina are all part of the Deep South. Composed of the borderlands of the Spanish-American empire, El Norte is "a place apart" from the rest of America, according to Woodard. Hispanic culture dominates in the area, and the region values independence, self-sufficiency, and hard work above all else. Parts of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California are in El Norte. Colonized by New Englanders and Appalachian Midwesterners, the Left Coast is a hybrid of "Yankee utopianism and Appalachian self-expression and exploration," Woodard says, adding that it is the staunchest ally of Yankeedom. Coastal California, Oregon, and Washington are in the Left Coast. The conservative west. Developed through large investment in industry, yet where inhabitants continue to "resent" the Eastern interests that initially controlled that investment. Among Far West states are Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. A pocket of liberalism nestled in the Deep South, its people are consensus driven, tolerant, and comfortable with government involvement in the economy. Woodard says New France is among the most liberal places in North America. New France is focused around New Orleans in Louisiana as well as the Canadian province of Quebec. Made up of Native Americans, the First Nation's members enjoy tribal sovereignty in the US. Woodard says the territory of the First Nations is huge, but its population is under 300,000, most of whose people live in the northern reaches of Canada. Woodard says that among these 11 nations, Yankeedom and the Deep South exert the most influence and are constantly competing with each other for the hearts and minds of the other nations. "We are trapped in brinkmanship because there is not a lot of wiggle room between Yankee and Southern Culture," Woodard says. "Those two nations would never see eye to eye on anything besides an external threat." Woodard also believes the nation is likely to become more polarized, even though America is becoming a more diverse place every day. He says this is because people are "self-sorting." "People choose to move to places where they identify with the values," Woodard says. "Red minorities go south and blue minorities go north to be in the majority. This is why blue states are getting bluer and red states are getting redder and the middle is getting smaller." Yankeedom
New Netherland
The Midlands
Tidewater
Greater Appalachia
Deep South
El Norte
The Left Coast
The Far West
New France
First Nation
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#1. To: Willie Green (#0)
Pretty interesting stuff. Thanks for posting it.
I understand the eventual thrust of the argument. Is the US is composed of 11 separate 'nations' it should not object to incorporating two more, the 1) Mexican reconquistadors and 2) islamic jihadists in the name of diversity, vitality, and a host of other euphemisms. We're due to be sold tickets for a ride on the Titanic using this argument.
Kinda like the European Union. Now that's a sobering thought!!!!! потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
Interesting map Fred! I know you are in Kentucky, too bad Ft Knox is empty, and they moved most of the Armor out, left only a bunch of cooks, clerks and no firepower to speak of. The only real firepower down there now is Knob Creek. Twice a year. Si vis pacem, para bellum
I am both geographically, and naturally, a
Flagging my #6 to Fred. And then there was the car getting stolen in Brooklyn... Edit: But I've also been a Left-Coaster and a Far-Wester.
They make good bourbon.. :) In fact I'm drinking some of their Rye whiskey as we speak... I was born there and received much of my education there. Thanks, bro.
He's talking about the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot - twice a year.
Yep, just like the European Union. потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
The word "tribal" comes to mind. Though I doubt that the US will ever formally be broken up into sections, we do seem to be a conglomeration of tribes. Perhaps - like in Saddam Hussein's Iraq - we will have a strongman come to power who all the tribes can hate. We can then unite with each other in our hatred. That's the ticket.
You are welcome. Especially the Pine Barrens. Edit... Piney Power!
My sister just got off the phone with me. She lives in Edit: mid-East Jersey, near the shore - Neptune or Neptune City. It's nice there. Big race tomorrow at Monmouth Park - triple crown winner American Pharoah races in the Haskell Stakes. I'll be watching it on TV.
Neptune City is nowhere near South Jersey.
Thank goodness for the Edit feature, so I don't look like a total retard.
The word "tribal" comes to mind. Though I doubt that the US will ever formally be broken up into sections, we do seem to be a conglomeration of tribes. That is exactly what the secular progressives have promoted. Their goal is to fracture the U.S. by setting tribe against tribe and create a mind set that only Big Brother can protect your tribe from the others. They have made tremendous progress in achieving their goal. But they are not quite finished with the White Tribe yet so viola we have the White Privilege meme - coming to your schools and neighborhood soon. потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
Thank goodness for the Edit feature, so I don't look like a total retard. So how much of a retard do you want to look like? потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
At least I can spell "voila", tardo.
Typos make not a tardo.
потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
This thing is a couple of years old. By Reid Wilson Cite and link to Tufts article below. http://www.tufts.edu/alumni/magazine/fall2013/features/up-in-arms.html The Battle Lines of Today’s Debates Over Gun Control, Stand-Your-Ground Laws, and Other Violence-Related Issues Were Drawn Centuries Ago by America’s Early Settlers By Colin Woodard, A91 [...] Colin Woodard, A91, is the author of American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. An earlier book, The Republic of Pirates, is the basis of the forthcoming NBC drama Crossbones. He is currently state and national affairs writer at the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, where he won a George Polk Award this year for his investigative reporting. Same map, same 11 groups, different title.
The message hasn't changed, i.e. - the Union is coming apart and morphing into a tribal society with distinct cultures, mores, customs, work ethics, and, perhaps language. потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
I would move back to the State of Jefferson if it weren't
And there was an earlier version about 12-15 years back that focused on 10 nations. Apparently, this kind of thing is an academic hobby of ethnographers.
No loyalty to your tribe, eh? потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
The problem with moving back there is that the Almost did before WW2, but never quite made it.
Sorry, I thought that you meant Virgina. потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
The state of Jefferson almost came to be as southern I lived in Douglas county, Oregon for several years,
Geographic proposals for the State of Jefferson:
Mine of deep origin is, first New Netherland, and then Tidewater.
#2. To: Willie Green (#0)
(Edited)
The US really has 11 separate 'nations' with entirely different cultures
#3. To: Fred Mertz, Fred Mertz, nolu chan, TooConservative, All (#1)
The US really has 11 separate 'nations' with entirely different cultures
#4. To: SOSO (#3)
I hope this map image thing works. Fred
#5. To: Fred Mertz (#4)
#6. To: Willie Green (#0)
'Midlander'. I've never liked New Yorkers -
or New York. And now I know why! Hey....
#7. To: Fred Mertz (#4)
(Edited)
No cars stolen out there. I just got tickets...
#8. To: Stoner (#5)
(Edited)
Knob Creek
“Let me see which pig "DON'T" I want to vote for, the one with or without lipstick??" Hmmmmm...
#9. To: Chuck_Wagon (#6)
I've never liked New Yorkers - or New York.
#10. To: CZ82 (#8)
They make good bourbon.. :)
#11. To: Fred Mertz, nolu chan, TooConservative, All (#4)
#12. To: Willie Green (#0)
#13. To: Fred Mertz (#9)
(Edited)
Thanks, bro.
But hey - you gotta admit that South Jersey is
a distinctly different place than New York.
Is Manhattan different than the Pine Barrens?
A wee bit... 
#14. To: Chuck_Wagon (#13)
(Edited)
#15. To: Fred Mertz (#14)
...Neptune City...
Folks really don't even know where South Jersey is.
#16. To: Chuck_Wagon (#15)
#17. To: Rufus T Firefly, Willie Green, All (#12)
#18. To: Fred Mertz, Chuck_Wagon (#16)
#19. To: SOSO (#18)
#20. To: Fred Mertz (#19)
#21. To: SOSO, Fred Mertz, TooConservative (#11)
Which of the 11 American nations do you live in?
Washington Post
November 8, 2013 Up in Arms
Illustration by Brian Stauffer
#22. To: nolu chan, Fred Mertz, TooConservative (#21)
Same map, same 11 groups, different title.
#23. To: SOSO (#22)
- the Union is coming apart and morphing into a tribal society
with distinct cultures, mores, customs, work ethics...
about to be destroyed by a massive earthquake.
But, alas... (/sarc)
#24. To: nolu chan (#21)
Same map, same 11 groups, different title.
#25. To: Chuck_Wagon (#23)
I would move back to the State of Jefferson if it weren't about to be destroyed by a massive earthquake. But, alas... (/sarc)
#26. To: SOSO (#25)
No loyalty to your tribe, eh?
State of Jefferson doesn't exist. Never did.
#27. To: Chuck_Wagon (#26)
The problem with moving back there is that the State of Jefferson doesn't exist. Never did.
#28. To: SOSO (#27)
Sorry, I thought that you meant Virgina.
Oregon and Northern California. Thing is, that folks
figured that it would be 'unpatriotic' to create a new
state during a time of war - and as WW2 had broken out,
the plans/movement were put on hold - forever - thus far -
as it turned out. But it would have made a great state -
gorgeous and full of good freedom-loving people.
so I know of what I speak. 
#29. To: SOSO (#27)
#30. To: Willie Green (#0)
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