American Myths and Legends

Question 1

Utopia

Answer 1

Thomas Moore wrote book when the world was suffering. utopia is a paradise on earth, derived from Eden in Genesis. Wrote about an ideal society

Question 2

New Found land

Answer 2

This gave the people a lot of hope. They were hoping it was literal paradise. The land held a lot of opportunity and promise and the rule of new law (equality)

Question 3

Manifest Destiny

Answer 3

Settlers in the United States were destined to move towards the West.

Question 4

Free land + Virgin land

Answer 4

Equality, Democracy, Ambition.
Transforming the wilderness into a garden. Ripe for the taking.

Question 5

The frontier

Answer 5

Imaginary line separating civilization and savagery.
This line kept moving farther West

Question 6

Frontiersman

Answer 6

Tamed the wilderness.Example for others.Romantic figure.Free spirit. Independent. Isolated. Daniel Boone, Davy Crocket, William Cody (Buffalo Bill)

Question 7

Pioneer

Answer 7

Pathfinder.
Moving civilization forward.
Following the Frontiersmen.
Families. They left a lot behind

Question 8

Farmer

Answer 8

Settlers go from Pioneer to Farmer.
Independent.
Hard-working.
Contact with nature: virtuous, happy.
Symbol of democracy.

Question 9

Cowboy Myth

Answer 9

First appeared in novels in the 1880’s
Gunman fighting outlaws and Indians
Drifter
Free
Hero
Romantic
One with nature
Action

Question 10

Real cowboy

Answer 10

Indian slaves in Mexico.
Rounding-up Texas Longhorns and Mustangs after the Civil War.
Cattle drives to the train stations in the North.
Lonely, dangerous, hard work.

Question 11

American characteristics

Answer 11

Chosen people
Built society from scratch
Solid ideals
Individualists
Optimists
Ambitious
Acquisitive