The American dream was exactly what it says in the title, it is a dream an American has. The reason it is called that way is because we as Americans have the freedom of being able to have our own dreams and not have someone else choose it for us. It may be different for many people, but during the 1920s and the 1950s, they were very similar. “The American Dream is a crucial thread in this country’s tapestry, woven through politics, music and culture” (Ari Shapiro). It can be very much influenced by the things around us. Although American dream was hard to achieve, it didn’t stop people from trying. These two decades had two wars, World War I and World War II. These wars had major impacts on their American Dream.
During the 1920s, the war created
…show more content…
It was called this way due to economic growth after the war. Even though they had this economic growth, it was leading them away from their traditions and doing things differently. “America stood at a crossroads between innovation and tradition. Many Americans were looking boldly ahead, but just as many were gazing backward, to cherished memories of a fabled national innocence”. (Joshua Zeitz). This quote explains a little on how much money was getting in the way of them thinking straight. The roaring twenties also made women realize that they do not need to have as many children as their ancestors would and that these children brought on more economic problems than help. (Joshua Zeitz) “We think of the twenties as an era of prosperity, and in many respects, Americans had never lived so well” (Joshua Zeitz). The twenties are known for their liberty, explorations and excitements. They were living up their full potential. “It was a decade of technological wonder” (Joshua Zeitz). Joshua Zeitz explains how due to all the economic growth they were able to improve in the technology …show more content…
“For many American families, this was an era of unprecedented prosperity” (Carl Fillichio). Carl Fllichio said in simple words how much money this era had and how it was extremely unique. “The "American dream" has powered the hopes and aspirations of Americans for generations. It began as a plain but revolutionary notion: each person has the right to pursue happiness, and the freedom to strive for a better life through hard work and fair ambition” (Ellis and Ellen). This era was focused on trying to find what they loved and what made them feel pleased. They also wanted everything to be fair and equal. Discrimination was highly fought for. The American Dream for this era and for most of the average civilian was to be able to live in the land of free with the feeling of blissfulness. The 1950s were so wealthy they created the social security. Social security was also part of this American dream. It allowed people to save money along the way of working, so that once they weren’t able to work anymore, they had a sense of security with the money they have saved over their lifetime of working. Many say that the 1950s was the best decade to live in. All they worried about was trying to achieve their American dream. They worked so hard to be able to buy it. They wanted the big house with the perfect family and the nice cars in the beautiful city. Cars also became a big part of this era. They were so popular especially because how
Are group was given the time period between 1900-1920. This time period was a sad but prosperous time. The idea of “The American Dream” then is different from what we perceive it today, it was imagining that everyone was equal and that money had no sway on who you were. During this time period one of the biggest wars called World War 1 took place, supplies were being used up quickly. Men were sent overseas to fight leaving women and children behind to fend for themselves. Women began joining the workforce doing the jobs that men would have done originally, such as working in munition factories to make ammo for the soldiers, this was a big step to equality because before, women’s main role in society was to take care of the children and to
The perfect American lifestyle of the 1950s started with the ability to earn money as Coontz notes “it’s easy to see why people might look back fondly to a decade when real wages grew more in any single year than in the entire ten years of the 1980s combined” (Coontz). Growing wages allowed for more spending and more spending created for a better economy. However, Coontz says that the feeling for the 1950s was more than just money. As according to Coontz “it’s more than just a
Previously, in the 1920’s “The American Dream” used to be conclusive among the majority of the people of which it effected. However, as time progressed new religions began to show up, new laws passed and different forms of people began to join together, which was the beginning of change. Back then everyone envisioned the same dream. Which was possibly to be rich, successful, live in fame, and to be known. In today’s society we still want to be rich and successful but things have been a bit altered.
The American dream is a unique thing to think about, some say it is exists, and they want to live the American dream while others think it is a glorified idea of a good life. The two words, American Dream, is such a broad statement and holds a different meaning for every individual. What people thought the American dream was in the 1920s is different from what people think it is now. In the ‘20s the dream was living a lavish lifestyle, with lots of money and a high social ranking. Now the dream is the opportunity for everyone to be equal, and live a life that has shared options for everybody to achieve.
The American dream is the idea held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity.
Alongside with the previous theme, Franklin was very ambitions with the outlook and concept for a greater America. America in the 1700's was not quite developed as a nation yet, but it has become more than just the original cluster of thirteen colonies in the East. People during this time, as they start developing their legal systems, are debating on what kinds of rights they want and think they need. Many people had their own opinions, but Franklin's opinion favored more toward developing communities into a stronger and thought-out civilization. This autobiography shows an America with opportunity and idealized thinkers with a budding start of the American Dream. Franklin lives in Philadelphia for the majority of the book but he doesn't quite
The idea of an “American Dream” is that dream of a land in which life should be better, richer and fuller for everyone and opportunities for each according to ability or achievement (Amadeo). People in the 1950’s tried to pursue this dream as best as they could. They were buying everything they could get in order to achieve the dream (The American Dream in the 1950’s). The American dream for families across the country meant owning houses, having an education and jobs, children and the desire to be successful. However, the American dream in the 1950s turned out differently for every race.. In the 1950’s the idea of the American dream was attained because of aid from the government, a secure job and a comfortable, stable household.
1. We are reading a book written in the 1920 's because it has a message that everyone should know. What gives the book longevity is that the message it conveys is very remarkable.
For some the American dream is the value of hard work. To others it's a huge emphasis on material possessions. So, the American dream is no longer the American dream. It is a dream that anyone and everyone can relate to. This dream is the idea of having what ever you want. May it be material goods, ideas and values, or freedoms and rights. This idea also represents the uniqueness of America. It is a dream a lot of people around the world don't get to enjoy;
After World War II, America had to take a step back and take a look at their country. The American Dream had been restored upon the atrocities of the war. In the 1930’s the American Dream was primarily focused on working hard, men providing for their families, and trying to rise from the depression. In the 1940’s, post World War II things changed and consumerism and feminism began to play a key role along with many other factors. There are many ways to describe the American dream and what aspects were influential to it, such as World War II, modernism, new technology and entertainment.
This quote was said by Nick describing the atmosphere of Gatsby’s parties. The quote demonstrates the American Dream and prosperity of the 1920’s. Nick was formally invited to one of Gatsby’s extravagant parties. After the war, men returned to the working force creating goods and buying goods. This moved the economy very fast and people made a lot of money. Some people made their money from working but others made it by engaging in illegal activities such as bootlegging to gain this wealth. People were meeting their needs and with the extra money left over, they would spend on going out to parties and movies. Right away, Nick notices the music playing from the mansion. There’s excessive spending for Gatsby’s party and excessive spending led
The term “American Dream” was originated form a Historian James Truslow Adams for popularizing the idea in his 1901 book “The Epic of America”. Adams explained that the dream of life should be richer and fuller for everyone, and the opportunity for each and every one to have the ability to achieve it. The word American dream gradually appeared in books and articles in the mid to late 1800s but had a different meaning, but not till the 20th century it was a substitute for an upward economic mobility. Most would say a typical family lifestyle should be lived as the American Dream. The American Dream is national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals in which freedom includes an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved
The "American Dream" is an idea that has always been different throughouttime. It changes in diverse forms and in the end involves success. The "American Dream" was a phrase used by the American people and peoplewanting to become American. It was always the idea that you can become a success. This is true in a partial way, but the true "American Dream" is that with somework and determination anyone can build themselves up in the economic classsystem.
The term “American dream” is relatively new and can stand for different connotations depending on the context. It was created by James Truslow Adams and written down in his book, The Epic of America, which was published in 1931. He states that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). However, the basis for the foundation can be traced back to the sixteenth century Puritans. The Puritans did not call it the American dream, but their attitude towards religion and work ethic is similar to the term. They believed that for every single person there was a destiny. James Truslow Adams was a writer and stated that “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). America
The idea of the American Dream has been around since America was founded, but until 1933, it was not put into words. In the article American Faces 1933’s Realities, by James Truslow Adams, he defines the American Dream as “ ...a vision of a better, deeper, richer life for every individual, regardless of the position in society which he or she may occupy by the accident of birth” (1). The American Dream does not have to be described as having copious amounts of wealth. To some, it is only a vision of a better life for themselves and their families.