American Dream

Definition

The American Dream is the belief that through hard work, courage, and determination, any individual can achieve success and prosperity in the United States, regardless of their social class or background. It represents the promise of opportunity, freedom, and upward social mobility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The American Dream has its roots in the nation's founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. The concept of the American Dream gained prominence during the 20th century, as economic growth and social mobility became more attainable for a wider segment of the population.
3. The American Dream is often associated with the idea of homeownership, as owning a home has been seen as a symbol of success and financial stability.
4. Achieving the American Dream has become increasingly challenging in recent decades due to factors such as income inequality, rising costs of education and housing, and economic disruptions.
5. The American Dream has been a powerful motivator for immigrants who have come to the United States in search of better opportunities and a chance to improve their lives.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of the American Dream is connected to the principles of the United States' founding.
  • The American Dream is closely tied to the foundational principles of the United States, such as the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The belief that through hard work and determination, individuals can achieve success and prosperity regardless of their social class or background is rooted in the nation's founding values of equality, opportunity, and the promise of a better life. The American Dream represents the fulfillment of these ideals, as it offers the possibility of upward social mobility and the realization of personal goals and aspirations.
• Describe how the American Dream has evolved over time and the challenges it has faced in recent decades.
  • The American Dream has undergone significant changes throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Initially, it was more closely associated with the attainment of material wealth and the idea of homeownership as a symbol of success. However, in recent decades, the American Dream has become increasingly elusive for many, as factors such as rising income inequality, the high cost of education and housing, and economic disruptions have made it more difficult for individuals to achieve the level of prosperity and social mobility that the dream once promised. As a result, the American Dream has had to adapt to these challenges, with a greater emphasis on the pursuit of personal fulfillment, financial stability, and the opportunity to provide a better life for future generations.
• Analyze the role of the American Dream in shaping the experiences and motivations of immigrants to the United States.
  • The American Dream has been a powerful draw for immigrants seeking to improve their lives and those of their families. The promise of opportunity, freedom, and the possibility of upward social mobility has long been a key factor in attracting people from around the world to the United States. For many immigrants, the American Dream represents a chance to escape poverty, oppression, or limited prospects in their countries of origin and to build a better life through hard work and determination. The pursuit of the American Dream has shaped the experiences and motivations of generations of immigrants, who have contributed to the diversity and dynamism of American society. However, the realization of the American Dream has become increasingly challenging for some immigrant communities, as they face barriers such as discrimination, language differences, and economic inequalities.

Related terms

Social Mobility: The movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy, either upward or downward, often through changes in occupation, income, or education level.

Rugged Individualism: The belief that individuals are responsible for their own success or failure, and that government should have a limited role in people's lives.

Meritocracy: A system in which advancement is based on individual merit, talent, and effort, rather than on social class, family connections, or other external factors.