The American Dream Flashcards
What is the American Dream?
James Truslow coined the term, saying the Dream was a better, richer, and fuller life for all
What’s the history behind the phrase ‘American Dream’?
Pilgrim Fathers sailed to US in 1620 for religious freedom. American colonies declared independence in 1776 - stating all men created equal, with God given rights of ‘life, liberty, and happiness’.
What is the pledge of allegiance?
First used in schools in 1896, refers to ‘one nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all”
How was the phrase used?
Taken up by many. Politicians to promise equality for people, in songs/novels and advertising, used to win votes, inspire soldiers etc. Deeply ingrained in USA.
Reality of the American Dream?
Liberty, freedom and justice easy for some. Lincoln preached anyone could be President with hard work. Best way was to be a white, educated man - opportunities from 1917-96 weighted in favour of WASPS. Minority groups had hard fight for rights legislation, let alone enforcement.
What else was the American Dream searching for other than equal rights?
Better way of life - ups and downs of political, economic, and social issues were all obstacles. 20th century technological revolution changed visions of the Dream, changes helped bind nation, but also more evident division. Changes had impact on politics, looming over was communism and USSR. East/West division created a Cold War that impacted US policy.
WASP
White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
Russia became communist after the 1917 revolution. In 1922 named itself USSR.
Communist
Political ideas of people like Karl Marx who want a revolution of workers to overthrow a capitalist society based on individual wealth
Totalitarian
System of government where the gov, seldom fairly elected, demands total obedience to the state
Cold War
When two hostile sides try and defeat each other through political propaganda, economic restrictions/agreements, and military intervention in other wars, but no direct conflict.
1913-21 President
Woodrow Wilson, Democrat
1921-23 President
Warren G Harding, Republican
1923-29 President
Calvin Coolidge, Republican
1929-33 President
Herbert Hoover, Republican
1933-45 President
Franklin D Roosevelt, Democrat
1945-53 President
Harry Truman, Democrat
1953-61 President
Dwight Eisenhower, Republican
1961-63 President
John F Kennedy, Democrat
1963-69 President
Lyndon B Johnson, Democrat
1969-74 President
Richard Nixon, Republican
1974-77 President
Gerald Ford, Republican
1977-81 President
Jimmy Carter, Democrat
1981-89 President
Ronald Reagan, Republican
