The Challenge of Individualism: American Dream - Q1.1

The Challenge of Individualism: American Dream - Q1.1

1. first used by

   • James Truslow Adams ("The Epic of America"), 1931
     • 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)
       • life should be better, fuller + richer for every man
         • opportunity for each according to his ability or acheivement
       • in search + striving for the abiding values of life
         • . . . must be done to achieve the dream
           • not only material wealth but spirit of community, equality, ambition, work together
         • . . . must be avoided to achieve the dream
           • give yourself up as an individual, selfishness/ physical comfort/ lack of ambition

2. 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

   • from rags to riches
   • come to seen more critically, as an illusion as not everyone has access to opportunities
     • TODAY
       • CRITICS
         • → 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"
       • POSITIVE
         • inspiration for multiculturalism
         • encourages good (get away from selfishness)
         • equal opportunities

3. 1 One Dollar Bill

   • 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

4. 1607→ first settlers

   • North America was/ is still a land of opportunity
     • motives
       • sanctify the enterprise
       • general anxiety about the large vagrant population → social peace at risk
         • 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"
   • idea of settling was common
     • 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
   • Puritans (~ 16th century)
     • social and religious movement in 16th/ 17th century, trying to start a new life → fled from religious persecution and oppression
       • were (God's chosen people ) English protestants
         • split into Presbyterians and Congregationalists
           • believed America was the promised land
         • [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

5. letters from an American Farmer

   • Americans as a "special" people
     • nation of immigrants, open doors
       • individuals of all nations → melted together into a "new race of men"
         • American → new man who acts upon new principles
           • reward → ample subsitence
             • optimism, progress

6. Frontier

   • = expansion of American nation from coast to coast, pushing borderline between civilization and wilderness (other countries) further back
     • to master critical moments
       • "push forward"
         • American intellect owes its features like strength/ freedom/ dominant individualism
     • movement away from European influence → independance o. A.
   • → defines how frontier conditions have influenced the development of American independence how they formed the American traits

7. The Ladder Of Fortune (1875) by Roland Merchand

   • 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

8. Declaration of independence

   • 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"
     • fight for the common good

9. westward movement (movement into the west of America in 19th century )

   • belief that America is an nation ordered by God to expand across North American continent
     • establish moral rules and values across globe
       • During their drive, the pioneers had to fend (abwehren) a lot of dangers
         • 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