American Dream - Abi 22

Alternativer Bildtext:

Stripes to recruit volunteers Ellis Island: close to Manhattan, serves as a symbol for immigrants coming to the US - Puritans: religious group/movement of Protestants that came to the US, wanted to get rid of the Catholic Church, believed in promised land, shaped religion Manifest Destiny: Americas mission is to democratise the world and xpand their territory with their frontier Independence Day: 4th of July, holiday with parades and fireworks, symbolic significance, Declaration of Independence was signed New Canaan: hope that America becomes country Moses let people after god told to free the slaves, before he died he could see the promised land Frontier: border shows were Americans/Europeans lived, edge of settlement moving to the west to conquer America, now closed, kept alive Stars and Stripes: American flag, Stars and Stripes represent the founding states, white-purity, red=bravery, blue-justice, 50 stars for all the states, 13 stripes - Multiculturalism: first Canadian and Australian minority policy, people asked for equal rights, became more popular, achieved more rights for minorities THE AMERICAN DREAM TODAY nowadays: very critical and negative view of the American Dream - many values are not reflected - "hard work will pay off/ social standard is changeable" -> huge gap between rich and poor, different social classes, no welfare system - racism directed against the black population - discrimination against minorities - education is the key to success - problem: costs of higher education American Dream is projected mainly on material prosperity - main idea has changed, mindset is consistent - dream is often not fulfilled - lack of health care - high crime rate THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN DREAM 1629: • Settlers arrived in America, to escape religious persecution in Europe. They dreamt of freedom 1776: • Declaration of Independence: The 13 colonies were now free and that gave the people hope that their dream was coming true 1845: • Manifest Destiny (the painting from above) It is the belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent. This was not only their belief but also a dream for America 1860: • Homesteaders dreamed of happiness on their own piece of land in an unknown wilderness 1861: • Civil War: southern states wanted slavery, northern states wanted to abolish it • When slavery vanished a newfound hope for America arised. African Americans were now free and closer to achieving their dream 1900: • Immigration: Many people immigrated to the US because of their dream of freedom in the land of opportunities 1931: • Publication of J.T. Adams book' The Epic of America', in which he defined the American Dream as "that dream of land in which life should be better 1939: • World War II the veterans of the war desired to settle down, to have a home today • Many think that the American Dream has either become a pursuit of material prosperity or that it is beyond the grasp of the working poor. Patriotism importance of national symbols, such as the statue of liberty strong identification with one's nationality and pride in being American Puritanism / Protestant work ethic the puntan belief that hard work, thrift, discipline, self-improvement and responsibility lead to wondly success and prosperity • continuous and active participacion in society and entrepreneurial endeavors believing that one is exceptional, a member of "God Chosen people", following a divine providence → Manifest Destiny belief in authority as a means of protecting the personal rights of the people ● IMMIGRATION • first Europeans in America: colonists and seulers (Britian) • peak periods of Immigration: -1845-1852: Northern / Northwestern Eu early 20c.: Southern & Eastern Eu • increasing immigration from Latin America (mainly Mexico) • America: melting pot EQUALITY & FREEDOM • equality and freedom were not granted for everyone → after the Civil War slavery was abolished (1865) •Civil Rights Movement (1960s) → • aiming for equal rights • American women had to fight for voting rights fill 1920 •Other minorities: Native Americans, gays and lesbians => some rights may be there, but not fully given THE MAKING OF A NATION INDEPENDENCE • 1492 columbu's 'discovery' of America • 1600 European colonists started to arrive •colonists came for: practising religion freely - take advantage of the country dependend on goods and support •July 4, 1776: Declaration of independence AMERICAN DREAM • set of believes and ideals => allowing every American freedom • idea of A.D. started in 1776 economic dream of success & prosperity, democracy, justice, freedom & self-realisation • if you're wealthy you're being treated better => for many people the A.D. came true, while for others it's an illusion /nightmare AMERICAN DREAM OR AMERICAN NIGHTMARE American Dream ,,Promised Land" • Endless opportunities ● Pursuit of happiness → many immigrants (legal or illegal) came tot he USA to have a better life/future independence → right to wear arms/weapons → second amendment (since 1791) ● freedom ● → freedom of speech • Equality → Equality of opportunity for evegone. no seperation of sexes Co-existence of many different cultures → Melting pot →Salad bowl from rags to riches" • Self-made millionaires Earn much moey with their ideas. Hard work to success One big America ● American Nightmare Native Americans were forced to give up their land (by the europeans/ England) → They have to live in reservations • pursuit of material wealth/richness • deportation of Immigrants (they have to go back to their old land) → border fence/ border control many migrants are seperated from their families and are punished or arrested • public shootings / much gang violence → ongoing debate about gun controle total control → NSA ● ● Slavery • Segregation/ discremination of minority (between 1865 and 1980s but still there) Police brutality against African-Americans BLM fight for their rights • Gap between rich and poor get bigger • segregation Ist more a dream for people who life in the upper income househould than for once who get low paid (minimum pay) • For poor people ist almost impossible to live the dream because you have to add money . Most oft he people will never reach their aim/dream • You can quickly lose everything you have build up though hard work Become homeless over night No health insurance • No welfare (social welfare problems/ social justice problems) • Ameica is seperated in republicans and democrats and rich and poor → No unity POSSIBLE QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT - How many people today can say they are actually living the American Dream? What do they say? - Is the American Dream altered by celebrity statuses in life? - How do we create equal access to the American Dream? - What in popular culture exemplifies the American Dream? - Do you think that the American Dream can be achieved without hard work or do you need to be 100% on top of the progress of your dream?