The Challenge of Individualism: American Dream - Q1.1

first used by
1. James Truslow Adams ("The Epic of America"), 1931
  1. AD= no dream of merely material plenty, but a dream of a social order (individuals unrepressed by social orders) in which, every individual is given the chance to be successful, wealthy and rich regardless of furtuitous circumstances (/rank they belong to / skin-color they have)
    1. life should be better, fuller + richer for every man
      1. opportunity for each according to his ability or acheivement
    2. in search + striving for the abiding values of life
      1. . . . must be done to achieve the dream
        not only material wealth but spirit of community, equality, ambition, work together
      2. . . . must be avoided to achieve the dream
        give yourself up as an individual, selfishness/ physical comfort/ lack of ambition
no common Def.: -varies for each person, -complex concept which lured many immigrants to the US, - “The American Dream is the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” ( James Truslow in his book"The Epic of America" (1931)), -- every individual is given the chance to be successful ,wealthy and rich no matter what rank they belong to or what skin-color or heritage you have (also dream of social order) - everyone can reach their goals if they really try → hard work → realization of your dreams
1. from rags to riches
2. come to seen more critically, as an illusion as not everyone has access to opportunities
  1. TODAY
    1. CRITICS
      1. → the countrsy of unlimited opportunites attracts millions of legal + illegal immigrants in hope of better life without persecution or obstacles of home countries
        gap b/w rich and poor is steadly growing
        "only reachable for whites bc of inequality and oprression of blacks"
    2. POSITIVE
      1. inspiration for multiculturalism
      2. encourages good (get away from selfishness)
      3. equal opportunities
1 One Dollar Bill
1. the social, political (like liberty, independence, and prosperity for all ) and individual values (like freedom, wisdom and prosperity) are represented by the visual and textual elements on the one dollar bill
1607→ first settlers
1. North America was/ is still a land of opportunity
  1. motives
    1. sanctify the enterprise
    2. general anxiety about the large vagrant population → social peace at risk
      1. Virginia supposed to be land free (illimitable forest provided an inexhaustible supply for resources) and labor scarce whereas England was land scarce and labor plenty → land was bound to be the most precious commodity
        found "hell on earth" (inhabited land = enemies, no lifestock/ resourcable land) instead of "Earth's paradise"
2. idea of settling was common
  1. in famous songs ("America the beautiful", 1895) and poems ("To the Virginian Voyage") the European ideal image of America (= period of serenity, peace + eternal spring) is depicted
3. Puritans (~ 16th century)
  1. social and religious movement in 16th/ 17th century, trying to start a new life → fled from religious persecution and oppression
    1. were (God's chosen people ) English protestants
      1. split into Presbyterians and Congregationalists
        believed America was the promised land
      2. [Presbyterians] faith in predestination → humans are innately sinful, utterly deproved (=immoral) → God spares just some from hellfire b4 the beginning of history (= predestination)
        [preb. + Congreg.]wanted to live a life that pleases God (immoralities should be strictly prohibited)→ strive for self-perfection →were sure that every positive action: contantly striving to reshape society and government + master evil inclinations (= Neigungen) would eventually lead to a future of peace and security
letters from an American Farmer
1. Americans as a "special" people
  1. nation of immigrants, open doors
    1. individuals of all nations → melted together into a "new race of men"
      1. American → new man who acts upon new principles
        reward → ample subsitence
        optimism, progress
Frontier
1. = expansion of American nation from coast to coast, pushing borderline between civilization and wilderness (other countries) further back
  1. to master critical moments
    1. "push forward"
      1. American intellect owes its features like strength/ freedom/ dominant individualism
  2. movement away from European influence → independance o. A.
2. → defines how frontier conditions have influenced the development of American independence how they formed the American traits
The Ladder Of Fortune (1875) by Roland Merchand
1. refers to the “American Dream”, Meaning to climb the ladder of fortune by one’s abilities from an unimportant, ordinary person in society to a well-known, successful personality also meaning to have an equal opportunity of getting rich
Declaration of independence
1. the A.D. is rooted in the D.o.I. which says "All men are created equal" with the natural right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness"
  1. fight for the common good
westward movement (movement into the west of America in 19th century )
1. belief that America is an nation ordered by God to expand across North American continent
  1. establish moral rules and values across globe
    1. During their drive, the pioneers had to fend (abwehren) a lot of dangers
      1. chief danger (= Haupt-): Indian tribes who were forced to give up their homes and were pushed aside by the American settlers→ led to fights/ massacres → Indians gave up resistance (Widerstand)→ Americans tried to integrate the "uncivilized" Indians

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The Challenge of Individualism: American Dream - Q1.1

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