The American Dream & Individualism

The American Dream

• The original view, as articulated by James Truslow Adams, envisioned America as a land of equal opportunity for all, based on individual abilities.
• The Declaration of Independence is a key document associated with the original concept of the American Dream.
• The American Dream's original form may no longer fully exist.
• The American Dream has gone through changes over time.

Key Terms

• Individualism is a central concept involving self-reliance and personal responsibility, shaping American culture.
• Individualism originates in Enlightenment ideas and Puritanism, emphasizing personal freedom.
• Individualism promotes the idea that hard work leads to prosperity, while failure is one's own fault.
• The Puritans were a 16th-17th century movement aiming to purify the Church of England of Roman Catholic influences through literal interpretation of the Bible.
• The Puritans believed America was their "New Canaan" or promised land, influencing American civil religion.
• Puritan values included virtue, integrity, education, work, and individual freedom.
• "New Canaan" refers to the land west of the Jordan in the Old Testament, where Moses led his people after freeing them from Egyptian slavery.
• Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
• Independence Day is a celebration of American freedom.
• The holiday's true meaning is often overshadowed by popular festivities like fireworks and parades.
• The Stars and Stripes (Old Glory) is the American flag, first designed in 1777 with 13 red and white stripes and 13 stars on a blue background.
• Stars and stripes represent the founding states of the USA
• White symbolizes purity, red represents endurance and bravery, and blue stands for justice.
• A star is added to the flag for each new state (50 today).
• The flag design was standardized in 1920.
• The term "melting pot" is a metaphor describing the US, where people from all nations assimilate.
• African and Native Americans were excluded from the melting pot concept from the beginning.
• Multiculturalism has advanced rights for minority groups but also contributed to cultural fragmentation.
• Uncle Sam is a nickname for the American government, first used during the War of 1812.
• Uncle Sam is often depicted as a bearded man in stars and stripes, used for recruitment during WWI and WWII.
• The Frontier originally referred to the line of settlement moving westward.
• The frontier was declared closed in 1890 when it reached the Pacific Ocean.
• The frontier is related to the idea of Manifest Destiny.
• Some argue that the concept of expansion distinguishes Americans from Europeans.
• The spirit of the frontier is kept alive through ideas like "the new frontier in space."
• Manifest Destiny is the belief that America has a mission to democratize the world.
• Manifest Destiny includes the idea of the US as the "nation of the future" and the belief that Americans must show mankind the excellence of divine principle and American superiority.
• Manifest Destiny was used to justify territorial expansion into areas like Texas, California, and Arizona, as well as imperialism.
• The idea of Manifest Destiny is the base for the concept of the US acting as a global mediator in political conflicts.
• Ellis Island, located in upper NY Bay, was the headquarters of US immigration, through which almost 20 million people entered the US.
• Ellis Island is now a museum featuring documents and artifacts from four centuries of immigration.

The African American Experience

• The 19th-century African American experience was defined by systemic oppression and the fight for freedom and equality.
• The 13th Amendment in 1865 abolished slavery but did not guarantee integration or rights.
• Jim Crow laws institutionalized segregation in the late 19th century.
• Despite challenges, African Americans resisted and fought for freedom.
• Figures and movements such as the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Black Lives Matter (BLM) have all contributed to the fight for African American rights.

Culture Wars

• Culture wars in the U.S. reflect longstanding ideological divides over identity, morality, and governance.
• Early tensions involved religious freedoms, states' rights, and the role of government.
• The 20th century saw intensification through issues like civil rights, feminism, and the sexual revolution.
• The Second Amendment is a central battleground, with gun rights advocates emphasizing personal freedom and protection.
• Gun control supporters seek stricter regulations to curb violence and protect public safety.
• The gun rights debate highlights the tension between individual rights and collective security.
• Digital media and political polarization exacerbate ideological battles, shaping public policy and national identity.
• Nowadays, "culture war" refers to ideological conflicts over social and moral issues, such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, race, education, and free speech.
• Cultural battles often divide conservatives and progressives, influencing politics, media, and public policy.
• Historical tensions, social movements, and digital platforms fuel culture wars.

9/11

• On September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda committed terrorist attacks by hijacking four planes.
• Three planes reached their targets: the Pentagon and the World Trade Center's Twin Towers.
• The fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
• The attacks resulted in 2,996 deaths and over 25,000 injuries.
• A monument stands where the Twin Towers once stood, and the One World Trade Center was built.
• Many conspiracy theories surround the attacks, including claims of an inside job or a cover-up.