Perception of American Exceptionalism Essay example

Howard Zinn defines American exceptionalism as the belief “...that the United States alone has the right, whether it be divine sanction or moral obligation, to bring civilization, or democracy, or liberty to the rest of the world, by violence if necessary.” The American exceptionalist ideology has domestic implications found in political rhetoric and within the founding of the United States. External implications of exceptionalism are evident in American foreign policy and militaristic interventions such as Vietnam and Iraq. A new definition of has arisen, highlighting the negative implications of exceptionalism, “Roast beef and apple pie explained exceptionalism but now we are back to moldy rye bread and water.”

The interest of Conwell’s audience grows as he makes them feel more connected by aligning himself on the same caliber as them. As stated before, Conwell attracts his audience by using inviting words and phrases such as “friends” or even claiming the city of Philadelphia as “ours.” Conwell states, “Now then, I say again, that the opportunity to get rich, to attain unto great wealth, is here in Philadelphia now, within the reach of almost every man and woman who hears me speak tonight, and I mean just what I say” (Conwell 12). Conwell encourages his initial audience, in Philadelphia, that each one of them is capable of great success. By this, it is identifiable that Conwell wants his audience to feel a sense of reassurance that they too, can be prosperous. In addition, Conwell continues to gain more trust and understanding from his devotees by providing counter arguments.

Of the fairly limited amount of books I have read in my lifetime regarding the origins of the country we live in today from a religious standpoint, the vast majority are rife with one scarcely mentioned and not infrequent pitfall of inaccuracy that glares at me as I flip through their pages: they sugarcoat the difficult parts. Any controversy that may mitigate their argument (such as the gruesome altercations between the early colonists and the Native Americans, Benjamin Franklin’s or Thomas Jefferson’s religious stances, or the Americans’ horribly violent recalcitrance against the nation they then considered home) is deceptively changed or mollified in attempt to please readers, or perhaps even more embarrassingly, omitted out of sheer ignorance on the subject. With The Light and the Glory, preacher Peter Marshall and New York publishing house editor David Manuel defy the stereotypes of American Christian authors and unapologetically disregard potential vitriol from their intended audience in the process. After conducting extensive research on the topics they planned to discuss in their book, Marshall and Manuel devised the following thesis for The Light and the Glory: (a) God has, or at least had, a definitive and demanding plan for America, and (b) our continual deviation from this plan is why modern America is so seemingly headed for

The central theme of both John Winthrop’s “City Upon a Hill” and Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, is the prospect of religion in one’s everyday life influencing their future. In order to build up their ideas about acting in a way that pleases the Lord, both these authors use repetition, diction, allusions, and metaphors as a way to build momentum in their speech as they allude to teachings of the bible and their diction install a notion of uncertainty. However, while Winthrop uses his notion of uncertainty to give the audience a sense of security, in their endeavors to the Americas, with the prospect of religion, Edwards does the opposite and makes the audience fear God even more as he talks about his

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.

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.

According to Abraham Lincoln, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Not only did the purpose of John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity serve to establish a successful society, but one can assume that it was to also set a positive universal standard for all of future’s upcoming societies. However, considering the tragic events that America has caused, one can also agree that the society mentioned in John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity is full of unrealistic expectations when compared to today’s society. Whether or not that is true, when that particular U.S. History lesson that discusses such American atrocities is over, it is crestfallen

In Charles Murray’s journals he examines the changing American landscape and how it evolves from 1960 to 2010. He looks at marriage, honesty, industriousness, religion, and crime. The first journal to examines is titled “Belmont and Fishtown— On diverging classes in the United States”. He begins the journal talking about American exceptionalism and many different qualities that make up Americans. American exceptionalism is the idea that americans are exceptional. More specifically it is the idea that the way of American life is exceptional when compared to others around the world. He describes Americans has a group of hard working people always striving for something better. He talks about American neighborliness. He talks about how generosity

John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity” is one of the first examples of early “American exceptionalism”. (Noll, 2012) In his sermon, Winthrop (1630) talks about how the citizens in colonial America should set a good example for others, and obey God, as they are looked up to by non-Americans. This concept of America being chosen, or somehow unique in a divine manner was the fundamental meaning of American exceptionalism to Puritan society.

The American identity once stood as the pinnacle of liberty and justice. At the dawn of the eighteenth century, America opened its doors to the weak and the poor in spirit. These doors were swung ajar with a promise of a better life, and inclusion for all. As the history of our nation has developed over the last two centuries though, a much darker picture of American culture has begun to develop. Tony Kushner, in his critically acclaimed epic, Angels in America, beautifully captures these twisted aspects of modern American society.

John Winthrop, in “A Model of Christian Charity” offers an outline of how Puritans are to apply the precepts of sacred scripture in their daily lives in the new world. The specific instances mentioned in Winthrop’s sermon along with the general tenets of the Puritan doctrine’s have played a major role in shaping American ideals both historically and presently. In “A Model of Christian Charity” Winthrop portrays the Puritans as God’s pilgrim children journeying to the promised land. The ideals of Puritanism, specifically those outlined in “A Model of Christian Charity”, have shaped modern American ideals, particularly the idea of the American dream, the idea of American exceptionalism, and the principles of modesty and sobriety which are a hallmark of American political culture.

Domains of culture are influenced by culture itself, and can ‘lead to conflict’ between and among divergent cultural groups. Anthropologists and intercultural scholars have identified over 250 Culture Domains that influence and/or are influenced by culture. However, "Air Force Culture & Language Center (AFCLC) has whittled that number down to twelve", which, "four of the 12 have emerged to the forefront of cultural conflict and change or resistance to change." Those four have been identified by their acronym REND-G: (1) Religion, (2) Ethnicity/Nationalism, (3) Development, and (4) Geography.

Stalin and Tocqueville’s definition of American exceptionalism was not meant as a compliment as Americans make it out to be. It is ironic to know that a communist branded American exceptionalism and the United States turned it into a form of endearment. President Barack Obama once said “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism" (Ceaser). His remark reflects how all nations have pride and believe that they have a quality that makes them unique.

America is defined because of the illustrious past it has been built upon. Challenges that were faced moving into the 20th century had the potential to propel America greatly if overcome. Stephen Crane and Mark Twain have very influential works, which help uncover the truth about America's situation without any optimism to show the reality of the ignored parts of society. Crane and Twain let readers perceive the novels how they wish, and through the acceptance of truth, some will start a change. However, the reader will have to start by making a personal change to push new ideas out to society. By looking at the core American values of materialism and individualism it is evident that Maggie: Girl of the Streets and Adventures of Huckleberry

In my midterm essay, I created a character that reflected on what internal quality a typical American man needs for success. My character was born in 1830 in Cornwall, England. He was born poor because of the disadvantages that he and his parents had. His father was an alcoholic and died when my character was an infant. Without a father figure by his side, he and his mother struggled to make ends meet. Back in England, the majority of women did not go to work. If they did, they faced many challenges in the workplace because the society would underestimate their abilities to work. The only disadvantage that my character had was that he was a child who was dependent upon his parents. Moreover, when his father died, he had to look up to his mother