freedom and the american dream
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
What are the first five words that come to your mind when you think of America?
Word size corresponds to frequency of response
![Page 2: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
“freedom” (26%) “liberty” (16%), “democracy”, “patriotism” and “red,
white and blue” (10 %). (survey conducted by the Pioneer in 2011)
![Page 3: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
An article published by a Mormon website
www.thefamily.com January 1st 2016
![Page 4: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
FREEDOM AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
An influential value in founding the American Nation.
Declaration of Independence (1776) “We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
![Page 5: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
How do Americans perceive their country ?
A God-given haven A Land of opportunities A new Promised land Equal opportunities Prosperity and a better life “From rags to riches”
![Page 6: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Started as a farm boy
![Page 7: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Walt Disney was also brought up in a farm – he used to draw pictures for his neighbors for money.
![Page 8: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Jobs was given away for adoption by his biological and had to drop out of college, because his education was costly for his foster parents
![Page 9: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Born to a housemaid and a coalminer, Oprah lived a life of poverty, where she used to have to wear dresses made out of potato sacks.
![Page 10: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Freedom is not all that it takes:
America provides opportunities but, Work ethics Personal merit Hard work (inherited from the early
Puritan settlers)
![Page 11: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
God rewards those who work hard
Importance and legitimacy of material possession for Americans
Status symbols indicate one’s personal worth
No shame of being rich (nor showing it)
![Page 12: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
The Statue of Liberty: a suggestive symbol
![Page 13: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
The Statue of Liberty
Raises flaming torch at the entrance of NY
Attracted millions of newcomers American dream still alive in minds
of refugees
![Page 14: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
![Page 15: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
The “Melting Pot” theory
US: A country of immigrants
American Unity is born out of diversity
E pluribus unum
« Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of man. »
![Page 16: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
The Melting Pot theory challengedHowever:
USA was not founded by people of all nations.
Founded by European Puritan settlers: WASPS
WASPS became the norm : Assimilation Ethnic groups, minorities Pluralism, multiculturalism (languages) Separatist movements “Salad bowl”
![Page 17: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Pragmatism and Individualism
18th and 19th Centuries: The frontier period
Movement to the WestAmericans developped adaptability to survive in the wilderness.Pragmatism, individualism, and Self-reliance
![Page 18: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Pragmatism and Individualism
Power of the individual to control destiny
Pragmatism: Do-it-yourself mentality Opposed to government intervention Promoting private initiative No reliance on the State in times of
crisis Volunteer associations & charities
![Page 19: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Freedom’s reverse side: Social Darwinism
Those who fail are considered as :
Responsible for their destiny Guilty of unachievementLazy
![Page 20: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Mobility
![Page 21: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Mobility American society very mobile
Geographically: 13 % of Americans move every year.
Socially: Upward mobility is the expectations of all Americans. Absence of a rigid class system.Vast middle class. The only criteria is income distribution
![Page 22: Freedom and the american dream](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081414/5881f63f1a28abb4748b58cb/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Manifest Destiny American dream to be shared by all
mankind America has a mission: export its
model civilization abroad Westward expansion: Land either
bought or took by force Once the continent entirely settled:
American expansionism abroad and leadership role