American Exceptionalism And The United States Of America Essay

In its own way, America is in fact exceptional. While it may be lacking or struggling in some certain areas, it excels in others. America is exceptional in that it has become a sort of refuge, or safe-haven, harboring those in need and providing them with new, prosperous opportunities. Allowing for new opportunities and extending basic rights to all, America assists in the success of individuals, indirectly advancing the nation as a whole. However, just because America is indeed exceptional in some regards, that does not make it superior over all other nations or imply that our nation is without fault. Hillary Clinton for example once stated, “When we say America is exceptional it means that we recognize America’s unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for

“The Power and the Glory: Myths of American Exceptionalism” by Howard Zinn brings light to American exceptionalism which is the perception that the United States differs from other countries. He starts off by providing an example of when this idea of exceptionalism started; using the phrase a “city upon a hill” creates an image of liberty and democracy in which others can look to as an example. This image is slandered when the morality of past actions such as the massacres of Native American villages throughout the country are brought into the picture. Conquering territory and the mistreatment of the occupants who choose to resist are constant throughout history. The justification that goes into expansion is seen as “divinely ordained”; such

The physical side is at one time they did love each other because kids were born. The shared activities are the fact they have children and they still do things as a family.

The term “American Exceptionalism” means that the United States has held on to great stability throughout its 230 years in contrast with other nations, who have succumb to civil unrest and revolution more frequently throughout their respective national histories. The term arose in the 1830s and was coined by Alexis DeTocqueville. As DeTocqueville traveled throughout the nation, he discerned America was quite exceptional due in part to it being founded on democracy, liberty, particularly individual liberties, and equality.

The “American dream,” a promise of the ability to turn your life from rags to riches if you try hard in the United States of America, has been the definition of what it means to be an American. But over time it the American dream has changed and its pledge perhaps more viable than ever. This is due to the simple fact that America as a nation has evolved over time and the core values which its people encompass are a reflection of the times. So as an American how do we define ourselves and our nation outside of the American dream? America has been known over time as a “big brother”- protector of mankind. Yet many of our citizens did not have equal rights until the 1960’s and it took the fourteenth amendment to guarantee equal protection

American Exceptionalism is a term used to define the ideal that America is far superior to all other countries. It has been used to justify unfair actions and used to cover up flaws. Children are taught from a young age that America is the model country, and the people living there can do no wrong. In school, each bad thing that America has done in history is skimmed over, yet the accomplishments and victories are taught in great detail. For years, Americans have hid behind the phrase American exceptionalism as a way to not only avoid taking responsibility for their actions but to not push themselves to be better, as they already consider themselves perfect. The concept of this exceptionalism impedes the progress and evolution of mankind as they give up caring and trying to better themselves.

A question most fascinating to me is where in history does the first hint of American ideals and identities originate from? If we were to look at where the fiery passions of an American identity first arise we have to look to where the colonists first fought for their right to be a recognized citizen of America. American colonists formed their identity through the ideas of liberty, resistance to unfair British jurisdiction, and cultural diversity. Their identities formed between the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War as these two events deeply brought out what the colonist’s ideals were and what they fought for so passionately. Between these years 1763 and 1775 we see the first American ideals being born in the colonies. An example of such ideals is the want and need for Liberty. A reason for wanting liberty was that British control suppressed the lives of the people living in America and over time grew harder for colonists to live with. Americans are revered to have a passionate patriotic view of their country and this is true as it is seen throughout history but in my research I will try to explain where these ideals first arose.

Exceptionalism is neither new, as explained above, nor exclusive to the United States. Several historical actors, such as Great Britain, France and the former Soviet Union claimed exceptionalist ideas (Ignatieff, 2005; Holsti, 2010). The current U.S. President Obama also stresses a similar point by stating that “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism” (Obama, cited in Ceaser, 2012, p.4). However, exceptionalism purposed by the U.S. is different from those of other countries. Firstly, although each countries believe in their own uniqueness (Hoffmann, 2005), no country but the U.S. claims and attempts to discharge its missionary duty in international affairs. Regarding this point, Ignatieff (2005, p.13) states that the U.S.’s “desire for moral leadership is something more than the ordinary narcissism and nationalism that all powerful states display”. Secondly, the U.S. has embraced the exceptionalist ideas from the very outset of its history, while other great powers in history only started to adopt it in order “to justify their acquisition and maintenance of empires” (Davis and Lynn-Jones,1987, p.22). This fact implies that American exceptionalism is not mere political ideology, but national identity, which has strongly inherited among American public. In the U.S., where diversified people live together, it is not common language, religion or culture, but shared

While some find us arrogant, condescending and imperialistic, those who have come to join us in America find that there is some truth in the notion that our country is unique. Nowhere else is the freedom to express and improve yourself so widespread, and no other country welcomes those seeking that freedom so openly. Assimilation to our culture is not forced, but it is the rare individual who does not welcome it once they are here. Many people consider themselves to be the best humans on the planet, or maybe the only ones chosen by their god to succeed, but nobody can claim to be as powerful and prosperous as Americans are. To us the idea of American Exceptionalism is not propaganda or a myth; it is the understanding that the only way to the make the most of oneself is to have the freedom to do so.

The United States is one of the most industrialized nations and is viewed as unparalleled in many ways. What sets America apart is the concept of American Exceptionalism. This unique concept sets the country as a model for other nations to follow. American Exceptionalism explains why this rural area has been referred to as “a city on a hill that cannot be hidden”. This concept has been persistent in America’s history and many believe it is unfading. Despite the strong opinion of the American people that exceptionalism is enduring, some would argue that this concept is one of the past, only regarded in our history books. This paper will analyze the concept of American Exceptionalism, the importance of American exceptionalism, and the key

Americans through the years of existence have adapted well to the radical changes throughout the world. Technology, independence and social equality are some of the diverse concepts the United States have adapted to and developed in order to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional when it comes to other countries worldwide. As can be shown through the popular reference to America as the ‘shining city on a hill’. The term “American exceptionalism” is derived from ideals held by many Americans throughout history. Different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A Model of Christian Charity, What is an American and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the

I thought this post was interesting, because it calls into question our own romanticization of the past as Americans through the commercialization of heritage.

The ideology and terminology of American uniqueness throughout world history was influenced by Alexis de Tocqueville’s idea on America’s difference from Europe that became a determining factor for defining America’s identity. The author in the following passage argues for the legacy of the national and transnational historiographies, he also shows the need to get rid of the boundaries of nationalism. In this context, the argument states that the main focus of this passage is to emphasize the concept of transnational history and its relation or similarity to comparative history.

During the early 1900’s, The United States government was ruled by white men that have captivated the American patriotism. The patriotism of the American society was greatly enchanted by the white superiors wanting to establish a strong American values and culture. The era of the time gave little hopes and dreams of living in a land that its purpose was to give the opportunities to all newcomers. However it was a different scenario among the Mexican American community. The Mexican communities within the United States are force to adapt to a new tradition due to the defeat of Mexican-American War. The Mexican government efforts to persuade its people to leave the United States were no effect because of their disloyalties to its government. From here on the Mexican-American community in the United States will decide its own self recognition of identity.

Our nation’s history plays an important role in American society, it sets forth the foundation on which our morals and values are based on as Americans. If we truly are one united nation under God, and our morals and values are based on what history tells us, why is it then that there is so much disparity among the American people. One reason is that our history textbooks and what we are taught by educational leaders only emphasize American Exceptionalism. The history of our nation is not fully disclosed, it omits the nasty and ugly parts. It is time that the U.S. let their skeletons out of the closet, the truth needs to be told no matter how ugly or nasty it is. The period in history known as the Nadir of Race relations, 1890 through the1960’s between whites and blacks is a prime example of American Exceptionalism.