Manifest Destiny
Concept stemming from the Reformation/Protestant movements in Europe Jean Calvin (Calvinist) embraced predestination; This philosophy argues that God has predetermined people to salvation or damnation; Only through hard work and good deeds can someone increase their spiritual salvation. This movement, in short, links temporal (earthly) success with spiritual salvation; Anglos, the predominant group, expanded West under the notion that God willed them to do so.
Aristotle and the Social Slave:
Western concept which argues that in all societies a subservient class of people will exist; In America, though educational, philosophical, religions processes, skin color was associated with social status; In short, dark-skin individual were relegated to the lower rungs of the American social ladder.
Social Darwinism
Social theorist Hebert Spencer superimposed Charles Darwin's theory on evolution (survival of the fittest) on the human world; Since Anglos predominate in society, then they must possesses some genetic elements that make them superior to other races and ethnic groups; 19th century scientists researched the human body to support this theory; They concluded the Anglo-Saxon race was superior to all, henced, rationalized their expansion.
Frontier Theory (Turner Thesis)
The "availability" of Frontier land acted as a "safety-valve" for American Democracy. The Anglos success in westward expansion forged the American character: Assertive, mobile, aggressive.
The Socialization Process
Assimilation:
Process by which one group is completely absorbed by the predominant group; No vestiges of the former group are readily identifiable.
Acculturation:
A selective process where the incoming group identifies cultural elements from the predominant in order to survive within society.
Pluralism (Multiculturalism):
Pockets of diverse racial and ethnic groups which congregate in regions in order to survive within the predominant group (independent diverse societies); No assimilation and some acculturation may take place; The thrust here is that some immigrants can live with their racial/ethnic confines without learning the predominant groups language or values system.
Internal Colonialism:
Institutions (educational, political, religious, etc) developed by the predominant group to control people. Slavery and voting requirements {property ownership, gender, literacy test, etc} are two examples of Internal Colonialism.