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Pilgrims/ Puritans/ Plymouth
These groups of settlers from England were in search of religious freedom in the new world. They were sick of being persecuted in their home country. image source: http://www.sfpnn.com/TravelbyPatty/1Patty2010/PLYMOUTH%20ROCK/PLYMOUTH%20ROCK.htm -
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The American Dream Through the Years
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John Winthrop "City Upon a Hill"
Winthrop's quote meant the Puritans and him wanted to make a magnificent land to live in and have all the freedom in the world in Massachusetts. He wished for their land to be envied by everyone who wanted freedom like the had obtained. image source:http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/people/john-winthrop.html -
Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Franklin
This book written by Benjamin Franklin explains the valued way of life in the 1700s. Hard work and dedication lead to a successful life is the American Dream in his eyes. Image source: http://guy.com/2011/05/03/don%E2%80%99t-skip-this-poor-richard%E2%80%99s-almanack/ -
The American Revolution
The colonists in America began their fight for freedom from British rule to pursue their own dreams for the future. image source: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/03/201137124724236938.html -
The Declaration of Independence
The colonists declared independence from Great Britain to live their lives how they wanted to with complete freedom from British rule. image source:
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/declaration-of-independence-2/ -
The U.S. Constitution
This document created the foundations for the U.S. government but also established the guaranteed rights of all Americans which they had always dreamed of. image source: http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/4302 -
Manifest Destiny and the Pioneers
This is the American belief that the nation had the right to expand its boundaries all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Americans wanted to take advantage of these new opportunities to make a living by themselves in the new lands. The pioneers were the first people to move to the land in the west in search of a new beginning and a new life to support themselves and a family. image source: http://www.historyonthenet.com/American_West/manifest_destiny.htm -
Gold Rush of 1849
Once gold was discovered in California thousands of people around the world came to the West in search of striking it big and becoming rich by digging up gold. image source: http://my-ecoach.com/modules/custombuilder/popup_printable.php?id=10575 -
Abraham Lincoln Presidency
Abraham Lincoln felt strongly towards the importance of industry to the North. It allowed for all men to be equal in the sense of having a job and opportunity to support a family. Lincoln said, "This is free labor, the just and generous, and prosperous system, which opens the way for all." In his mind the key to the American Dream was industry. image source: http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/presidentsday/pages/lincoln.htm -
Aftermath of the Civil War
Industrialization after th Civil War created more jobs for Americans and let people prosper through their hardwork at their new jobs. These jobs allowed for economic independence a dream of all Americans. image source: http://www.soldierstudies.org/index.php?action=webquest_1 -
FDR's New Deal
Franklin Delano Roosevelt established several relief programs during the Great Depression to try to revive the economy and to aid all people in the country. His programs especially targeted the poor who he gave more chances to have a job and to make money during the hard times. All Americans dream of having a job and prospering economically and FDR gave them this opportunity. image source: http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/lost_footage_of_fdr_found_in_new_michael_moore_film -
Aftermath of World War Two
After World War II ended the American Dream became focused on material goods as the consumer culture began. Americans became obsessed with obtaining more and more material goods to show their financial superiority compared to other Americans. image source: http://quincyww2.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/short-history-of-wwii/ -
50's Suburbia
William Levitt created the first suburban houses and towns in America. These houses became the dreams of all Americans who wanted to buy one and get out of the cities. Americans wanted to be able to say they owned their own house and live better lives outside of the cities. Unfortunately, at first the suburbs wouldn't allow anyone besides the whiteman to buy a home therefore re-segregating the blacks and whites once again in American history. image source: http://www.suburbanpermaculture.org/ -
The Credit Card
The credit card allowed Americans to better there lives by buying material goods on credit and having to pay for it down the road. This caused a lot of Americans to have major debt but this became accepted by all Americans. So Americans bettered their standard of living while putting themselves in serious debt. image source: http://www.creditcardchaser.com/liberty-bank-credit-card-review/ -
State Lotteries
The beginning of the idea of getting rich quick started with the state lotteries. Americans dreamed of picking the right numbers that would be drawn to make loads of money so they wouldn't have to do anything for the rest of their lives. The idea of hardwork is lost. image source:http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/2004/0401sum.htm -
Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
With the invention of game shows Americans became obsessed with the idea of getting rich quick. Americans now dream of getting picked to be on a game show to win easy money instantly. image source: http://armygk.com/2012/02/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire/ -
Compensation Lawsuits
These legal cases are another way to get rich quick and achieve this new American Dream. If a person sues for large sums of money and can prove why they deserve the compensation people can become very rich instantly. Americans are now looking for the easy way out of everything and becoming super lazy not valuing work at all. image source: http://www.cellinoandbarnes.com/Personal_Injury_Attorneys.aspx
