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What are the first five words that come to your mind when you think of America?
Word size corresponds to frequency of response
“freedom” (26%) “liberty” (16%), “democracy”, “patriotism” and “red,
white and blue” (10 %). (survey conducted by the Pioneer in 2011)
An article published by a Mormon website
www.thefamily.com January 1st 2016
FREEDOM AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
An influential value in founding the American Nation.
Declaration of Independence (1776) “We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
How do Americans perceive their country ?
A God-given haven A Land of opportunities A new Promised land Equal opportunities Prosperity and a better life “From rags to riches”
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Started as a farm boy
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Walt Disney was also brought up in a farm – he used to draw pictures for his neighbors for money.
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Jobs was given away for adoption by his biological and had to drop out of college, because his education was costly for his foster parents
Top Rags-To-Riches Success Stories
Born to a housemaid and a coalminer, Oprah lived a life of poverty, where she used to have to wear dresses made out of potato sacks.
Freedom is not all that it takes:
America provides opportunities but, Work ethics Personal merit Hard work (inherited from the early
Puritan settlers)
God rewards those who work hard
Importance and legitimacy of material possession for Americans
Status symbols indicate one’s personal worth
No shame of being rich (nor showing it)
The Statue of Liberty: a suggestive symbol
The Statue of Liberty
Raises flaming torch at the entrance of NY
Attracted millions of newcomers American dream still alive in minds
of refugees
The “Melting Pot” theory
US: A country of immigrants
American Unity is born out of diversity
E pluribus unum
« Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of man. »
The Melting Pot theory challengedHowever:
USA was not founded by people of all nations.
Founded by European Puritan settlers: WASPS
WASPS became the norm : Assimilation Ethnic groups, minorities Pluralism, multiculturalism (languages) Separatist movements “Salad bowl”
Pragmatism and Individualism
18th and 19th Centuries: The frontier period
Movement to the WestAmericans developped adaptability to survive in the wilderness.Pragmatism, individualism, and Self-reliance
Pragmatism and Individualism
Power of the individual to control destiny
Pragmatism: Do-it-yourself mentality Opposed to government intervention Promoting private initiative No reliance on the State in times of
crisis Volunteer associations & charities
Freedom’s reverse side: Social Darwinism
Those who fail are considered as :
Responsible for their destiny Guilty of unachievementLazy
Mobility
Mobility American society very mobile
Geographically: 13 % of Americans move every year.
Socially: Upward mobility is the expectations of all Americans. Absence of a rigid class system.Vast middle class. The only criteria is income distribution
Manifest Destiny American dream to be shared by all
mankind America has a mission: export its
model civilization abroad Westward expansion: Land either
bought or took by force Once the continent entirely settled:
American expansionism abroad and leadership role
