American Dream: Then and Now
The American Dream then and now
Imagine you are one of the early settlers in America. You left Europe, a world full of religious persecution, political oppression and poverty behind you. You have dreams like:
- Personal freedom, self-fulfillment, dignity and happiness,
- Economic things, like prosperity and success
- Rising from poverty to fame and fortune (from rags to riches)
- Social dreams of equality and a classless society
- Religious dreams of religious freedom in a “promised land” in which they were God´s chosen people
- Political dream of democracy
It´s in the soul of Americans and it is reflected in basic beliefs and values.
Some of important foundation stones are
- The Declaration of Independence in 1776.
It´s the legal foundation of the American Dream and states that “all men are created equal” and that every citizen has “a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
- The Bill of Rights in 1791.
It limits the powers of the central. Federal government and confirms the freedom and equality of all American citizens.
- The “Frontier” 1790 till 1890
The moving of pioneers westward and the establishment of the North American continent.
Since then the “frontier spirit” roots in American souls.
- In 1865 Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery after the end of the Civil War
- In 1920 do all American women get the right to vote
- 1870: Voting rights are extended to all adult males of all races
- Franklin D. Roosevelt apply in overcome the extreme poverty and inequalities that resulted from the Great Depression of the 1920s
- As a result of Martin Luther King´s Civil Rights Movement and his dream of a colour-blind society, racial segregation in public places, scools, etc. and job discrimination are banned in 1964
This way of fighting for one´s nation dream gives America its character and is still shared by most Americans today
Individualism:
In the early days, the success of most Americans depended on their ability to
Imagine you are one of the early settlers in America. You left Europe, a world full of religious persecution, political oppression and poverty behind you. You have dreams like:
- Personal freedom, self-fulfillment, dignity and happiness,
- Economic things, like prosperity and success
- Rising from poverty to fame and fortune (from rags to riches)
- Social dreams of equality and a classless society
- Religious dreams of religious freedom in a “promised land” in which they were God´s chosen people
- Political dream of democracy
It´s in the soul of Americans and it is reflected in basic beliefs and values.
Some of important foundation stones are
- The Declaration of Independence in 1776.
It´s the legal foundation of the American Dream and states that “all men are created equal” and that every citizen has “a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
- The Bill of Rights in 1791.
It limits the powers of the central. Federal government and confirms the freedom and equality of all American citizens.
- The “Frontier” 1790 till 1890
The moving of pioneers westward and the establishment of the North American continent.
Since then the “frontier spirit” roots in American souls.
- In 1865 Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery after the end of the Civil War
- In 1920 do all American women get the right to vote
- 1870: Voting rights are extended to all adult males of all races
- Franklin D. Roosevelt apply in overcome the extreme poverty and inequalities that resulted from the Great Depression of the 1920s
- As a result of Martin Luther King´s Civil Rights Movement and his dream of a colour-blind society, racial segregation in public places, scools, etc. and job discrimination are banned in 1964
This way of fighting for one´s nation dream gives America its character and is still shared by most Americans today
Individualism:
In the early days, the success of most Americans depended on their ability to