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Americans are uniquely destined to spread democracy around the world Declaration of Independance • 4th of July 1776 • Basic ideas: o God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; The main business of the government it to protect these rights o If a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government • historical background: o 13 North American British colonies wanted to live independent from England o Protest because England increased taxes ("no taxation without representation") -> War of Independence Civil rights movement (1954-1968) • Mass protest movement against racial segregation and discrimination during mid 50s in the southern United States • Most important breakthrough in equal rights Bill of rights • The Bill of Rights consists of ten amendments that guarantee fundamental rights to residents of the United States. • Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. o Right to bear arms. -> these are the most important Interpretations of the American Dream • personal dreams o Freedom, self-fulfillment/self-realization, dignity, happiness, individualism/individuality • Economic dreams o Prosperity, success, no poverty, progress • Social dreams o Equality, classless society, opportunity for everybody • Religious dreams o Religious freedom • Political dreams ● o Democracy, justice Beliefs and Values • Freedom o Americans regard their society as the freest and te best in the world, everyone can participate, individual freedom, no oppression Equality • No class distinctions, equality in court • Individualism o Independent individual Mobility/flexibility/optimism o Social mobility • • Hard Work • Heritage is not important if you work hard, key to prosperity • Education and self-improvement o Education is key to individuals realizing their full economic, social and personal potential • Progress • Patriotism Symbols e.g. Thanksgiving, a lot of flags The American Nightmare American Dream - from ags to riches Land of opportunity -> life without struggle, hunger, etc. -Equality, high living standart - Pursuit of happines. - Success - Freedom/protection - Several success-stories still hold some promise and keep the American Dream alive -> black President Barack Obama (success through work) -> Popstars who grew up in ghettos became millionaires American Nightmare - huge gaps between rich and poor widening social gap/inequality - Lack of health care. - discrimination/racism - Most jobs are in urban areas -> cost of living is high and people can't afford it Unrealistic for unprivileged people - High crime rate. -> unemployment, poverty, many low-income jobs Important Terms • Statue of Liberty: Symbol of the USA/AD, independence, liberty, It signified new opportunities in life • Uncle Sam: symbol/personification of the USA • Melting pot: immigrants have melted together • Salad bowl: symbolic for America, Country where all nations, cultures and traditions are mixed together, but still live separate from each other. The American Dream today • nowadays very critical and negative view of the American Dream • Critics see the AD as a clever political and economic marketing strategy • Many values are not reflected • Huge gap between rich and poor • Different social classes • The AD is projected mainly on material prosperity o Main idea has changed, mindset is consistent How the American Dream changed • the American Dream has changed in two main ways over time: it's harder to achieve, and the goals are different • Shifted to a material dream Myths and realities Myths: • more a nightmare • Racial segregation Only for rich people • Expensive education • Ethnic minorities have often problems Reality: • Not everyone can go from "rags to riches" • More difficult to achieve your dreams Pros and Cons American Dream Pro: gives people hope, strength, motivation optimistic attitude to move along when one has lost everything/failed in life economy gets better, because more people work harder and better many examples (Bill Gates...) self-reliance: the role of the state is minimal 37% of the Americans (still) believe in the A.D. means different things to different people Con: rare to become rich that easily can turn into a nightmare huge gap between rich and poor danger of poverty limited social mobility (the U.S has an aristocracy of sorts not much financial help if needed if you're poore, it is seen as your own fault middle class decreases in size high quality schools are very expensive → high depts for tuition becomes increasingly harder to reach the A.D. is for rich whites only (?) leads to disaster, climate change and pollution (pursuit of material things) Immigration • many people tried to immigrate (legal or not) to achieve a better life • pull factors: o infrastructure job opportunities o Educational: school system o Personal. Marriage, family, patriotism o Good living conditions • Push factors: o oppression, o discrimination O war o Famine o High unemployment rate • Work often as fruit pickers • They do the jobs Americans do not want to do • Melting pot • Salad bowl • immigrations: African Americans O Hispanics: Spanish heritage, Asians: the fastes growing group in the USA Illegal immigration • People immigrate illegal because the USA no longer allows immigrants • It is a matter of intense debate since the 1980s • 2010: 11 Mio. People living and working illegally in the USA Problems: Risk of being deported • Lack of social security • Threat for Americans -> they losing their jobs Famous people Malcolm X: Expresses the anger and frustration of African Americans during the civil rights movement • Fought for black identity, integrity and independence • Challenged Martin Luther Kings "strategy of non violence" Barack Obama • 2009-2017: first Afro American president Martin Luther King s. Postcolonialism bei Great Britain George W.Bush • he wants to strengthen the security policy -> especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001.