American Dream History

Since its founding in 1776, the United States has regarded and promoted itself as an Empire of Liberty and prosperity. The meaning of the "American Dream" has changed over the course of history. Historically, the Dream originated in the New World mystique regarding the availability of low-cost land for farm ownership. As the Royal governor of Virginia noted in 1774, the Americans, "for ever imagine the Lands further off are still better than those upon which they are already settled." He added that if they attained Paradise, they would move on if they heard of a better place farther west.

The ethos today simply indicates the ability, through participation in society and economy, for everyone to achieve prosperity. According to the dream, this includes the opportunity for one's children to grow up and receive a good education and career without artificial barriers. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the prior restrictions that limit people according to their class, caste, religion, race, or ethnicity.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream

What is the history of the American Dream?

The American Dream is the national Dream of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer 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."

What is the American Dream?

Who created the term American Dream and where do we go from here?

The American Dream is an idea of a liberal and prosperous America. The following quote by James Truslow Adams provides us with an insight of his idea of the American Dream.

"The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”

The United States has always been considered a land of opportunity. Many people, from the world over, have migrated to US, in search of employment and freedom of religion.

Source:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-the-american-dream.html

Where did the American Dream come from?

Let’s think about where the American Dream came from and where it is going.

If money is the American Dream driver, it is important to work hard, make a lot of money, get educated and buy a home and other material things. What happens to your Dream when savings decrease and costs increase?

In this Great Recession and the Recovery, your pay level decreases, you experience long unemployment or self-employment with less contracts at lower wages, friends and family are impacted, your hours are cut due to sabbaticals, or wages are frozen, and in some instances, your hours of work are increasing as you pick up the slack from downsizings and your "real" hourly wage decreases.

Meanwhile inflation increases, groceries and gas costs increase, social service needs increase, homelessness increases, and so on. More people need your help and are dependent upon you.

There are abuses of power and fraud, the Madoff scandals, politicians are cheating us, and the American deficit is rising to unheard of levels.

Is the American Dream on a slippery slope? Or like other things, does it need a new definition for the 21^st century?

What do the survey results mean?

Why do immigrants keep coming to America? Why do zealots hate America? Is it wealth, escapism, class systems, war and politics? I believe it is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, and the Opportunity to work hard and live a better life.

Belief in the American Dream and the definition of the American Dream changed long before the Great Recession. Is the American Dream money-driven or internally-driven? It is the opportunity to be prosperous, to own a home and spend money on material things.

I love to spend money. Travel requires money. I live in my own private Paradise by the ocean and near a beautiful harbor. Does that mean I achieved the American Dream? Or did I already have it? My parents worked hard to buy a house and provide for our family. We had vacations in the summer, food on the table and the money to attend college.

For me, freedom in America means the ability to choose, and to have opportunities. It is the right to buy a McMansion if I can afford it and to create a home that supports social and political consciousness if that is closer to my beliefs. It is the right to say what I want whenever I want, especially now with social media!

Hawaii

What do the survey results mean?

A man makes it rich in music or Hollywood and he says “I am living the Dream!”

A man sits on the beach on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon when a friend sees him and asks how he is doing and he says “I am living the Dream!”

What really is the American Dream? Has the American Dream definition shifted from Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness to financial opportunity? Have Americans become more materialistic and shallow? Or was the American Dream always financial opportunity?

Who really believes in the American Dream, and does it really mean different things to different people?

A Pond in New Hampshire