The Epic Of America Summary

On June of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was born. Drawn up by Thomas Jefferson and based on the works of John Locke, the general purpose of the document was to clarify that governments have conditional, not absolute authority over the people; that human beings possess natural rights that can’t be taken from them and government is created to protect those rights. The phrases “unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and “all men are created equal” were the main theme of the social contract written for the small colonies of what would be the basis of the United States of America to declare independence from Great Britain and its tyrannical king. However, “unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and “all men are created equal” did not apply to African Americans, enslaved or free for the coming years.

The American Dream has had people working and fighting to achieve the guidelines of “success” that society has created. The ideals in which equal opportunity and freedom are for everybody and success is possible to obtain if one works hard for it. American writer and historian, James Truslow Adams, stated, “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” (Clark, par 1). Is it possible to achieve or are we just holding on to an illusion and simply wanting economic stability? Equal opportunity to reach success is claimed to be for everybody, but how true can it be when social economic status has an advantage or disadvantage depending on

The first sentence of the third paragraph in the Declaration of Independence uses strong and powerful wording to inspire the people. The Declaration states, “...they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...” this section gives the people the security they need, it gives them God-given rights with the knowledge that no one can take them away. The Declaration also uses very powerful wording, making the reader feel as though the document is undoubtedly true, and that their rights cannot be stripped from them;

1. 1. As the Declaration of Independence states to the secure our unalienable rights;Life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 2.

First, The American Dream is not something that you are handed it is something you work for. Some people are born into wealthy families and they do not need to work for success. Jay Gatsby was snidely profiled and they said, "I thought you inherited your money." (Ch 5) People assumed that because of his wealth he was privileged. They were wrong, Gatsby worked for his money even though he may of not always had the best

This ideal is important to all Americans. Andrew Sullivan said that “within every soul lies the ability to reach for its own good…” The Declaration of Independence gave Americans the right to pursue their dreams for their lives. (Doc B.) All people want to live in a place that allows them the freedom to live as they want. This ideal gave Americans the right to pursue goals and opportunities that would bring happiness to their lives.

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson when he had the vision that America should be liberal. This document written in 1776 announces that the thirteen American colonies now proclaimed their independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence shapes our ideal vision of America by stating that all individuals have inalienable rights, requiring life, liberty, and property. If any of these rights are not protected, people have the right to abolish the government. The document also highlighted the reasons for this action by listing political and moral injustices made by the King of Great Britain over the American colonies.

Adams defined it as a “dream of a land in which should be richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement,” and continues on to state, “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 the fullest stature of what they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (Source 8). Yet Adams still concedes that as the world changes on a daily basis, the values and ideals of Americans can and do change. It can also be noted that Americans are expected to be different from each in capabilities, motivations and interests. These differences allow the dream to be chosen from person to person (Source 3). If the dream can be chosen by the people and with capitalism generally making money a large factor of being happy, it can be reasoned that many would make monetary wealth their

The series Untold America: Divided Chicago delves into the issues surrounding urban poverty in Chicago. It showcases various community members from public school students, to school district administrators, and other community organizers. Overall, it offers a credible and realistic analysis of some of the problems in Chicago and also provides insight on the ongoing work to alleviate and solve them.

The American Dream is a fantasy that has not come true for the millions that are toiling in the system hoping to get a piece of the wealth which America so liberally shares with its rich upper class. Mansions, expensive cars, a happy family and of course lots of money. These images adorn the minds of the less privileged of this nation.

By 1600, England’s feudal system was nearing extinction, as a new family (Tudor’s) came to power and wanted support from the middleclass and the establishment of new liberties for Englishman (i.e. trial by jury and no arrest without a warrant), which resulted in a large amount of local and self initiative to prosper in the community: yet many beggars now existed, culminating in an increased need for colonial expansion both for personal prosperity and more space for the existing population.

The idea of the American Dream has been around since America was founded, but until 1933, it was not put into words. In the article American Faces 1933’s Realities, by James Truslow Adams, he defines the American Dream as “ ...a vision of a better, deeper, richer life for every individual, regardless of the position in society which he or she may occupy by the accident of birth” (1). The American Dream does not have to be described as having copious amounts of wealth. To some, it is only a vision of a better life for themselves and their families.

The American Dream has always been a driving force in the lives of Americans. It has become a foundation of ideals and hopes for any American or immigrant. Specifically, one of the ideals that always exist is the dream of America free of class distinction. Every American hopes for a society where every person has the opportunity to be whomever he or she desire. Another ideal in the American dream is the drive to improve the quality of life. As one’s idea of the American Dream gets closer and closer, often times political and social ideals of America cause their American Dream to take a turn for the worst.

Many years ago today, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. It established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, it is true that people have liberties and are free to pursue happiness. However, in recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment, growing economy inequality, and medical care have skyrocketed. Despite the odds, the American Dream is still a goal that many people strive for and hope to reach. In fact, an essay written by Brandon King, The American Dream: Dead, Alive or on Hold? He says, “the American dream is a dream in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with the opportunity for each according to his/her ability and achievement…” (King 610-611). Therefore, the problem with the American Dream lies not within the dream itself, but within the means people pursue to attain this dream.

The American Dream is surely based on the concept of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” but it is above all, a matter of ambition. James Truslow Adams, an American writer and historian, in 1931 states: "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”, which not only points towards a better standard of living for Americans but also denounces a degree of greed in the US society. Ambition not only “killed the cat” but killed relationships as well in texts like Sister Carrie and Death of a Salesman. While the American Dream was supposed to be a collective success at its initial stage, ambition, along with a pinch of greed and materialism were perfect ingredients