Freedom and the American Dream are both something that Americans stand and strive for in the United States. For many it is a major part of our lives, for some more than others. When the American Dream is asked to be explained or defined a common response is that it is an accomplishment of wealth and prosperity through hard work and success, especially those living in the United States. When searched, the American Dream is described as “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American” (American Dream, Dictionary.com). This description plays a major role as these are the goals that were set to come from the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Many fought for the right to be free especially when it came to racial inequality in our country but many did not receive these benefits or opportunities of equality as there were negative and positive effects that came directly from the Civil Rights Movement.
The first American slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. Their job was to aid in the production of crops such as tobacco as the Virginians “were desperate for labor, to grow enough to stay alive… needed labor, to grow corn for subsistence, to grow tobacco for export” (Zinn 24,25). The slaves that were being brought to the Americas were seen as builders of the economic foundations of the new nation and as time passed the ownership of slaves dwindled but inequality and segregation grew to be more prevalent in the U.S (“Slavery in America”). On January 1st, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order which freed slaves in the United States not within the Confederacy, under Union Control. Two years later the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution which abolished slavery but many Southern States managed to create unattainable prerequisites for blacks to live, work or participate in society. With nearly one hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African-Americans were still treated just as unequally. Oppression, race-inspired violence, segregation and an unequal world of disenfranchisement lingered across Southern States for African-Americans. The Jim Crow Laws
The greatest explanation of the American dream is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech” I Have a Dream.” In 1963, King and other leaders of the civil rights movement organized a huge march for equal rights in Washington, DC. With a massive crowd of over 200,000 followers, the march was protesting racial discrimination in employment, racial separatism in schools, and they demanded minimum wage for all workers. (Biography.yourdictionary) Dr. King’s speech is more like a testimony of truth rather than a speech. At the time of his speech, African Americans were not free while the Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Dr. King’s movement established the way for the idea that there is an American dream, the idea that somebody can be anything they would like to be. This idea is still relevant now in America. Americans pursue their dream everyday by having the opportunity to attend college, and work. Although America is the land of opportunities, Americans take these opportunities for granted, while other parts of the world make it their lives’ time goal to get here. In certain times of history the American dream has not been available to some races. For example it be the Japanese during World War 1 and the African Americans during the Civil rights era. “The land of opportunity has discriminated people from completing their dreams” (Nobelprize.org.). Our country has gone through great trials of racism. The great Martin Luther King Jr. worked his whole life to change these things. Dr. King made history when he gave his speech “I Have a Dream” at the Nation’s Capital in 1963. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (King, Martin L., Jr.). The famous speech is a testimony to the struggle of African American people and the deep desire of Dr. martin Luther King Jr. who lived, fought and died to win equality for the African American community. Another important aspects of Dr. King's struggle was his vision for the memphis sanitation workers strike.
What is the American dream? The American dream is what the founding fathers wanted for our country. That perfect life where nobody had to worry about personal and economical safety. When Franklin Roosevelt wrote “The Four Freedoms”, the American dream is what he was writing about. In his article, Roosevelt states the basic things expected in America: "Equality of opportunity for youth and others. Jobs for those who can work. Security for those who need it. The ending of special privilege
When the phrase “American Dream” is uttered, it is typically associated with having money or striving to have money. The dream of much of the public is to have money and to be able to purchase anything they desire whenever they want. For some, this dream is not about money, but it is about having the opportunity to better his or herself and his or her loved ones. In either case, there are certain circumstances and obstacles that make this dream increasingly difficult to attain. Some would even be willing to argue, the American dream is unattainable. “American Dream” is defined as the concept of every citizen of the United States having an equal opportunity to achieve success and happiness through hard work, sacrifices, and risk-taking (Fontinelle);
The American Dream is one of those terms that people refer to when talking about immigration, financial status, and so much more. But what does the term really refer to? People used to think of the American Dream as financial prosperity, religious and financial freedom, and all around success. Now, the term may mean something similar, but people are much less focused on it. If anything, the American Dream today is focused on gaining material goods and proving your bank account is larger than your neighbors. With today’s economy, laws and regulations, immigration customs, and overall attitude towards work, people are seldom focused on achieving the American Dream.
In 1619, America’s first slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia to assist English colonists with the production of tobacco. These slaves were brought to the New World by Dutch traders, who ultimately planted the foul seeds of slavery in American soil. Quickly, slavery would spread like weeds throughout the colonies, and became significantly important to the South. According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, “Before the Civil War, nearly 4 million black slaves toiled in the American South.” However, during the late 1800s, many American citizens began to contemplate the mortality of slavery, thereby causing the states to divide. Although the North was for the abolition of slavery, the South defended it wholeheartedly. Be that as it may, the white South used economic, political, social, and ideological reasons to defend the peculiar institution of slavery.
The United States is recognized as the “land of the free” and home of the “American Dream.” According to James Truslow Adams in Epic of America, the American Dream is defined as “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 based on the foundations of the Declaration of Independence: the rights to Liberty, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Amadeo, What is the American Dream?). People have the right to pursue their dreams and acquire a better life through sheer effort and motivation. At the time of the American Dream’s creation in 1931, the main people were white male property owners. The rights were extended to slaves and
Throughout history America has been the arriving place of immigrants searching for a better life. America is perceived as the land were endless opportunities are available. The greatest explanation of the American dream is Martin Luther King, Jr. speech; I Have a Dream. Dr. King speech is more like a testimony of truth, rather than a speech. At the time of his speech African Americans were not free, while the Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Dr. King’s movement established the way for the idea that there is an American dream. The idea that somebody can be anything they would like to be. This idea is still relevant now in America. Americans pursue their dream everyday by having the opportunity to attend
In the creation of The United States, African Americans captured and enslaved for their labor to make a profit. African American before the 19th century, were not seen as equal to that of white Americans, in fact African Americans during the era of slavery were often treated or seen as the equivalent to wild animals. The enslavement of African Americans exists in the form of racism but the use of African Americans was based on economic mobility for the United States in the global economy. As centuries past, African slaves fought for their rights against their oppressors; the notion of oppression against African later ceased to exist. Years later, slavery became abolished in the United States due to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which defined slaves as freed men. African Slaves were to be recognized as freed by federal law; this allowed slaves to free themselves from being enslaved by their white slave masters. Africans eventually became American citizens and they were given certain freedoms that were equivalent to that of white Americans. Still many rights like the right to vote, obtaining better wages, affordable housing and social equality overall were not given to African Americans, as years past, law makers proposed a set of state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in pubic communities in the United
The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The “American Dream” is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded upon and redefined over time. The concept of the American Dream has always been debated and put under criticism. There are many that believe the structure of American Society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream. It points out examples of
The American Dream can mean different things depending on who is asked. Some will answer it is the freedom of religion, class or race, others will claim it is about the ability to choose where they want to work, what they want to wear, or what’s for breakfast the next day.
1. The American dream promises wealth and freedom if you work hard, but that is not actually the truth. America is often called the land of opportunities and we are taught that you can become anything there, but can you really become anything if you are passionate about your goals?
According to historians, the American Dream can be expressed in a plethora of different ways throughout history. Starting with the Puritans arriving in North America looking for religious freedom, we now have the current man wanting to strike it rich. We all have our own perspective on what we believe the current deposition has become. Have our values changed? Certainly! I believe we have values now which are unnecessary compared to our ancestor's dreams. They wish for things we take for granted in today's world: religious freedom, freedom of speech, liberty.
The American Dream is the result of possibilities and success. The term “American Dream” was been invented by James Truslow Adams in 1931: “That 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.” Another reference to the American Dream appears in the Declaration of Independence (1776). The author wrote that people are “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The question of the debate was: “Is the American Dream Still Alive and Well?”
In my knowledge I think the American Dream came as a result of freedom from slavery and the attaining of independence. In that case, the American dream entails better lives for the Citizens of United states that comprises of living a fulfilling simple life and ensuring you are happy. Thus, it is concerned with things such as proper healthcare, education and decent housing. To achieve the American people, have to go an extra mile and work hard in terms of finding that one thing that we wish to do without being forced. For instance, my passion might be to be a medical doctor. To achieve this, I should not be hindered by outside sources and the education system should not make choices for me but otherwise encourage me to follow my dreams. In the case of career choices, parents should not be the ones to make choices for their children. A child should make his or her own decision and ensure they have every resource at their disposal to be creative and innovative to achieve their passion.
"All Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among there are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". It is in this sentence from the Declaration of Independence, that the idea of the American dream has its roots. The phrase, “the American dream” can mean many different things, but among the most basic interpretation is that America is a land of opportunity and freedom for all who come to it. The idea of the American dream has influenced people to come to America in search of economic opportunities, political choice, and religious freedom.