...“The American Dream” as defined by James Truslow Adams in 1931 is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. Truslow states "life should be worse and poorer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The American Dream is viewed by many Americans as not only an American pursuit, but also many Americans, most especially those citizens that identify themselves as Christians see this pursuit as a Christian right of passage. In the catechesis of Christian language the American dream has become synonymous with the being a Christian. In the minds of many Americans the American Dream is a Christian reward to faithfulness. The proliferation of the American dream through the vehicle of the “Prosperity Gospel” is a cause for the continuance of poverty in America. In this writing I plan to discuss the origins of the American, the canonizing of the American dream in scripture, and the growth of the Prosperity Gospel as an answer to the rising poverty rate in this country. ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN...
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...Over the years historians have described the 1950s as a decade of prosperity conformity while the 1960s were a decade of turmoil and violence. It is clear that these stereotypes are accurate portrayals of these times shown through the prosperity of Levittowns in America, but the turmoil and violence due to the different views of civil rights. During these decades there was both social and political changes, resulting in prosperity and conformity of beliefs during the 1950s and violence, turbulence, and disillusionment in the 1960s. During the 1950s society began to shift into a new culture of prosperity. Due to the prosperity of the 1950s new towns called Levittowns emerged. These towns were the first mass produced suburbs, where similar houses were built close to each other. As shown in the image of Document A, these houses were...
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...which illustrate his relaxed and inspirational strain of Evangelical Christianity, which are often interpreted as promoting secular ideology and the highly controversial prosperity gospel. Balmer, Randall. "Televangelism.." The Oxford Companion to United States History. :...
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...The Gilded Age, a period beginning in the 1870’s and lasting until the late 1890’s, was an era in American history characterized by unparalleled economic growth and technological advancements while also plagued by significant social and political challenges. The name Gilded Age is derived from famous author Mark Twain’s novel of the same name, written for the purpose of exposing the blatant corruption and excessive materialism of America’s most rich and powerful. This essay aims to analyze the juxtaposition of prosperity among the wealthy elite and inequality during the Gilded Age. The rampant industrialization of the Gilded Age propelled prosperity by fostering great economic growth and technological innovation, consequently exacerbating...
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...Nordic Old Stock Americanism In this excerpt Hiram W. Evans, the imperial wizard of the Klan, outlines who the Ku Klux Klan represented and why. Evan states that America is in a state of decline and that the old values of American life were under assault and must be defended. He blames this on the moral breakdown of traditional standards due to the influx of “strangers” who are destroying and bastardizing the nation’s heritage and prosperity. He calls for the defense and revival of “Old-Stock” Americanism, claiming that the Nordic Americans must come together in order to defend their civilization and way of life from the foreign invaders. Evan states that the Klan is a collective of like-minded individuals who are fighting to preserve the “American...
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...million African Americans still lived and worked in the South. Most worked in agriculture, while those living in the cities worked at menial jobs. “But a small African American middle class of entrepreneurs and professionals gained a foothold by selling services and products to the black community”(page 553). During this time, Booker T. Washington “won recognition as the most influential black leader of the day” (page 553). He became the “leading spokesperson for racial accommodation, urging blacks to focus on economic improvement and self-reliance, as opposed to political and civil rights” (page 553). He preached a philosophy of self-help, racial solidarity, and accommodation. He urged blacks to accept discrimination for the time being and to elevate themselves through hard work and material prosperity. He strongly believed in education of the crafts, farming skills, industrial skills, and the concentrate on the virtues of patience, thrift, and enterprise. He believed that this would lead to the respect of whites and the possibility of African Americans being fully accepted as citizens and integrated into all areas of society. He felt that the best way for blacks to stabilize their future was to make themselves an indispensable faction of society by providing a necessity. Scholar and activist, W.E.B Du Bois “created a significant alternative of Washington’s leadership” (page 553). He argued that “black people would always feel tension between an African American heritage and...
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...standards of living, while socialist or communist countries have the least economic freedom tend to have the lowest. In fact, country like the United States generated unparalleled ability to produce wealth, raise the general standard of living, and provide goods and services in a society. Careful study of the long list of countries, and analyze each government system, viewer should see a trend that when too much government intrusion hinders the economic progress that occur every day and will ultimately lead to economic slowdown. “If a government limits its involvement in economic activity, so as to maximize opportunities for individuals to reach their full economic potential, then it will be on a path leading to the greatest levels of prosperity and human well-being for society as a whole” (Miller, Holmes, Kim, 2009). With the...
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...King’s use of pathos created a personal connection with the audience. His pathos provoked rage and motivation, causing his readers to agree that the American Dream is alive, evolved and attainable. His targeted audience for this essay would be the middle to lower class, who themselves are either chancing the American Dream, or have lost all faith in it. He uses a sustainable emotion to create a personal connection with his readers, persuading them to agree and believe in his argument. “Many liberal economists and activists say that the American Dream is dead, but I say that it’s more alive and important than ever- and that it is the key to climbing out of the Great Recession, overcoming inequality and achieving true prosperity.” (611,1) The...
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...The American Dream What is the American Dream? As this question comes up, different people have different thoughts floating in their minds of what the American Dream really is to them. For some, the American Dream is to live their lives within the laws of the American Constitution. For others, it is the dream that is fulfilled with chances, successes, and wealth. Therefore, the America Dream comes to be the freedoms, the opportunities, and the prosperity for all. America is the country that holds the strongest Democratic Constitution of laws that protects human’s rights. For many years, thousands of immigrants have been coming to America searching for these rights, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (Declaration of Independence) Within the Constitution, the people are guaranteed to be able to express themselves freely, to be created equal, and especially to put faith in their own beliefs as they wish. Overall, living the American Dream is to obtain the freedom of speech, the freedom of political, and the freedom of religion that are protected by the American Constitution. America has become to be the “Land of Opportunity”. The United States of America has created many turning points in the immigrants’ lives with its endless opportunities. From the “many useless plants, wanting vegetative mold”, (from Letters from an American Farmer) the immigrants receive the chances to refresh themselves in the American Dream. They get to attain better living conditions and achieve...
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...Sydney Bourdon Prof. Savage ENGL-250-021 12 April 2024 The American Dream In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, is a true crime novel that tells the true story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Kansas and the subsequent investigation and even the capture of the killers. Not only does the book connect to a variety of themes, but it also tells a story of the way things occurred at that time. The harrowing account of the Clutter family murders in 1959 in Kansas serves as a stark reflection of the dark underbelly of the American Dream during the 1950s. As the nation basked in post-war prosperity and suburban idealism, the brutal slaying of the seemingly idyllic Clutter family shattered the illusion of safety and security in small-town America....
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...During the thirty-year boom cycle lasting from the early 1940s to the early 1970s, most American families had enjoyed unprecedented prosperity. Real per capita family income doubled, and the GDP more than doubled during those three decades of strong economic growth. The steadily expanding economy and rising living standards over a long period of time convinced most Americans that prosperity was perpetual. But during the early 1970s, stagflation replaced perpetual growth and created a set of economic circumstances that eroded the prosperity that middleclass Americans had taken for granted for decades. During the early 1970s, the declining U.S. economy was also showing the effects of strong foreign competition. The industrial economies of West Germany and Japan, rebuilt using the latest technologies after having been destroyed during World War II, were more efficient than the older U.S. industries. U.S. shares of many world markets declined. Within America, many industries lost large shares of the domestic market to foreign competitors. In 1970, about 10 percent of new cars sold in America were imported; by 1980, that figure had reached 30 percent. Inflation, deficits, and loss of both domestic and export markets combined to create a serious balance of payments problem by 1971, which threatened to undermine the value of the dollar. When the Nixon administration in response devalued the dollar by severing it from gold, his action unleashed an orgy of gold speculation...
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...investigation examines the 1920’s the domestic and international problems during the “prosperous” years that triggered the crisis. In order to reach a conclusion two of the sources: The Great Depression by Lionel Robbins and The Great Depression and The New Deal by Robert F. Himmelberg are evaluated for their origin, purpose, values and limitations. Word count: 120 B. Summary of evidence By the time the United States entered the First World War in 1917, the USA was the world’s biggest economic power[1]. Its role in providing extra equipment and a supply of fresh soldiers was instrumental in the final Allied victory[2]. The artificial prosperity of the war years was followed by an inevitable collapse[3]. After a short recession between 1920 and 1922, the USA began a long period of uninterrupted prosperity and economic expansion[4]. By the end of 1922 many industries were again recording capacity business[5]. When weekly wages were insufficient to purchase personal goods, credit was available to the consumer. For the businessman and the investor the twenties offered golden returns. Never...
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...Christopher Sigler History 328 Dr. Reaves March 11, 2014 Post World War II America was a period of massive economic growth in America. Despite a brief economic recession from 1946 to 1947, the years following World War II saw the United States become the world super power that it is today. From 1940 to 1950 the American Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased 50% from $200,000 million to $300,000 million1 and by 1955 sixty percent of Americans identified as middle-class2. The exponential economic growth and social class shift during this period created several important changes to American culture. Many American families now possessed excess money; Money that was spent on single-family homes, entertainment, appliances, and cars, items that the general public could not afford before this period. The result of the influx of money not only changed the American family forever, but the marketing strategies used by companies as well. As Americans began to place a heavier value on entertainment, movie stars, actors, and other celebrities began to have a prominent influence on society. Post war-prosperity and the economic boom during the early cold war began the American, and eventually global culture of celebrity marketing. To understand the United States rise to a world superpower one must look at the aftermath of the widespread war of World War II. World War II was a global war that involved thirty nations and claimed the lives of over 50 million people3. However, the Second...
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...SEPTEMBER 2012 “THE CANADIAN IDENTITY” The Canadian Identity The Canadian identity is composed of characteristics which define a Canadian and consequently Canada’s national structure. Canada is a strong independent country with a wide range of different ethnic backgrounds who stand united under the values of peace and prosperity. Over the course of history, the Canadian identity has maturely shaped into a unique character promoting elite and law abiding citizens. It has made vital contributions to the North American identity as a more multicultural and disciplined society. Canada has also been successful in building upon this identity closely tied to prominent figures displaying high reputations. The Canadian identity is a set of unique characteristics which are centered on all Canadians who value peace, unity, multiculturalism and take pride in their countries achievements in embracing various number of distinct people into themselves under one law and government. The Canadian identity’s background consists of the Aboriginal, British and French who helped to create an independent Canada and a unique identity which values freedom, peace and prosperity. Canada has the image of a strong and free country. The name “Canada” comes from an aboriginal word meaning “village”. There has been three main founders of this country we call Canada today, namely the Aboriginal, British and French. The aboriginal were believed to have migrated from Asia thousands of years ago before any...
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...Although the North’s economic prosperity allowed them to supply their army with weapons, clothing, food, and other necessities, it changed the way individuals on the home front thought and behaved. In 1864, Harper’s Monthly, an American magazine, featured the article “The Fortunes of War” regarding the North’s economic prosperity and its impacts on the Civil War (Gienapp, 190). The article reported that, “We must feel this war, and feel it resolutely, or we shall never triumph” (Gienapp, 193). This article emphasized that Northerner's lavish overspending on goods and services hindered their ability to win the war. Individuals feared that the North’s economic growth led civilians to strive to acquire more money at the expense of soldiers (Gienapp, 190). This article repeatedly mentioned that egotistical northerners “did not feel this war” because they focused on economic developments instead of the war (Gienapp, 193). Therefore, I question whether this statement was correct? People at home clearly felt the ramifications of this war because it changed their social, economic, and political policies. Although citizens willingly devoted and supplied resources to fight this war, this article emphasized that they did not support the war enough (Gienapp, 190). In 1864, northerners wanted everyone to devote their...
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