The American Dream

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The American dream

America as a country is interesting for me. The problem «American Dream» attracts me as well. I always wanted to know more about the country, it's history and people.

Not long ago I watched a play «Of Mice and Men» written by John Steinbeck. I enjoyed it very much and decided to read the book. Reading the book I compared my impressions got from the play with those I got while reading.

As far as I know the program of this school year, the topic «American Dream» is the one we are going to learn. That's why i have chosen to write this work to improve my knowledge in the subject and get to know more about the problem.

The American Dream is based on an ideology that everybody can be successful through his own efforts. The belief held by many Americans is that individuals themselves have the ability to choose their own destinies. The American Dream encapsulates that work ink-class people and not just the rich can look forward to steadily increasing the Standard of living and achieving a better future for themselves and their children.

The people all over the world dreamed of America where everybody could be free. The American Dream is absolutely unique, because the settlers from Europe had fled the nightmare of European history in order to make a new beginning in a new country. The Dream of all people involves a longing for wealths: independence, land, good prospects, popularity of fame and self - determinication. Historians believe that three main elements contributed to the development of the American dream are:

the early settlers' dream of personal advancement and general progress,

the Puritan vision of a new heaven on earth created with God's help by a new raise of man devoted to personal charity and goodness,

the belief in the value of dignity and equality of individuals among whose inalienable rights was the «pursuit of happiness».

All people have the right to pursue their goals with a minimum of state control. The belief in the rights and the responsibilities of the individual accounts for the United States' reluctance establish state welfare programs ant to restrict free enterprise. There are many aspects that are closely related to the basic idea of the American Dream. The idea of the American Dream has tended to remain constant, the manner of it's self changes. It turns of religion the American Dream portrayed America as a form of paradise where people could start anew and live in harmony with God and nature. America was seen as offering and opportunity to correct the mistakes of the «Old World». The New World supposed to be a more equalitarian and moral society. Here, people of different races, origins, or religions would form a new classes society, spreading democracy throughout the world. America, in the minds of Europe's poor and disowned was the land of milk and honey. Promising abundant natural resources, free land to cultivate, and no oppressive masters or faxes.

American was constructed as a positive counterpart to the Old World.

The American Dream is represented by many symbols and icons. The statue of liberty and the American flag have become the most popular ones symbolizing freedom and democracy. California, the «Sunshine State «and, particularly Hollywood reflect the idea of material success. The Western film portrays the West as a mythical place where the individual has no past but can prove or find himself. The frontier as it moved westward, came to represent mobility; and important characteristic of American society still valid today. Of course there are other ideas that Americans have in mind when they refer to the «American Dream». The idea of American Dream is one shared by all Americans although Americans, each in their own way can pursue the American Dream. Even if not all of them believe in it, they are able to comment on it. The American Dream itself has come to be seen more critically. A considerable number of cities regard the American Dream as an illusion, as not everyone has access to the possibilities usually associated with it.

There are a lot of examples when people ended up living in city slums, and no matter how hard they worked, most of them could not escape from poverty. For them the American Dream turned out to be a nightmare. But things get better and the Dream does not die out. However, the Dream depended, and it still depends on the continuing increase of national wealth's. During the years of nowadays crisis the American economy went down but the belief in American Dream has survived. It does so even more strongly the more people live in misery, in numerous countries worldwide.

Great Depression

The Great Depression was a worlwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War 2.

It started in most countries in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It was the longest, most widespread and deepest depression of the 20^th century. The Depression started with a fall in stock prices which began around September 4, 1929 and became Worldwide news with a stock market crash of October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday). From there, it quickly spread to almost every country in the world, rich and poor. Unemployment in the U.S. Rose to 25% and in some countries rose as high as 33%.

Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those depended on heavy industry. Farming suffered as crop prices fell by a approximately 60%. In many countries negative effects of the Great Depression lasted until the start of World War 2.

Economic historians usually attribute the start of Great Depression to the sudden divesting collapse of US stock market prices on October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday; some dispute this conclusion, and see the stock crash as a symptom, rather than cause, of the Great Depression. The American economy lost it's position. A lot of people lost 10 times more as they put in. People wanted their money out and went bust. A lot of farmers had to move onto the cities, leave their old life behind, start something new and go into an industrial job. Great Depression was the time of inequality. Women were a low position.

John Steinbeck in his book «Of Mice and Men» shows the migration and poverty of George and Lenny. As an example of woman's position he describes Curley's wife.

Great Depression

The Great Depression was a worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War 2. It started in most countries in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It was the longest, most widespread and deepest depression of the 20^th century. The Depression started with a fall in stock prices which began around September 4, 1929 and became Worldwide news with a stock market crash of October 29,1929 (known as Black Tuesday). From there, it quickly spread to almost every country in the world, rich and poor.

Unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25% and in some countries rose as high as 33%. Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those depended on heavy industry. Farming suffered as crop prices fell by an approximately 60%.

In many countries negative effects of the Great Depression lasted until the start of World War 2. Economic historians usually attribute the start of Great Depression to the sudden devastating collapse of US stock market prices on October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday; some dispute this conclusion, and see the stock crash as a symptom, rather than cause, of the G.D. The American Dream economy lost it's position. A lot of people lost 10 times more as they put in. People wanted their money out of banks. Banks ran out of cash and west bust. A lot of farmers hat to move onto the cities, leave their old life behind, start something new and go into an industrial job. Great Depression was the time of inequality. Women were in a low position.

John Steinbeck in his book «Of Mice and Men» shows the migration and poverty of George and Lenny. As an example of woman's position he describes Curley's wife.

dream american future goal

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