The American Dream’s history can be traced back as far as the 17th-century Puritans who arrived in America seeking religious freedom. John Winthrop delivered the speech “city upon a Hill” sermon to Puritan settlers on his 1630 journey to Massachusetts. Although he did not call his belief a “dream”, it is true that he spoke of an ideal nation where everyone has equal chances to succeed by putting their best effort. The American Dream began to change as the world changed. The Founding Fathers of America believed the American Dream was a natural right that every person should have. This belief was reflected in the American Revolution. John Winthrop delivered the speech “city upon a Hill” sermon to Puritan settlers on his 1630 journey to Massachusetts. While he may not have called his belief “dream”, he nonetheless spoke of an ideal nation that offers all people equal opportunities for success by giving them the best possible effort. The American Dream gradually changed as the world evolved. The Founding Fathers of America believed that everyone should have the American Dream during the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson, among others, wrote The Declaration of Independence in 1776. The American Dream was defined as “life and liberty with the pursuit of happiness”. The American Dream’s impact on people was strengthened by the new nation’s thriving economy during the 20th century. Americans and foreigners alike began to see America as “a land with unparalleled opportunity.” The country’s youth and freedom allowed people to find many business ideas and ways of bringing them up to a higher standard. No matter what they did, it was possible to work hard to attain success. These economic opportunities made it possible for Americans to believe they could achieve anything and that hard work was possible. Henry David Thoreau (a great American thinker/writer) described the economic opportunities. Thoreau’s words show that the American Dream idea was very well-supported in the new nation. The words “American Dream”, however, were not yet invented. American literature and news used “the American Dream” extensively from the mid-1800s to the late-1800s. These words often referred to ambitious Americans who moved to America from Europe to seek better living conditions. The American Dream was popularized before the beginning of the 1900s as a way to promote people’s social class and make them wealthy. Adams published the Epic of America in 1931. The American Dream thrived into the 1900s.

However, the Great Depression shattered the American Dream in 1930s America by removing wealth and leaving people homeless. Many Americans were forced from homes and left with little to no means of living. The American people were in a very bad economic position and couldn’t achieve their American Dream. Franklin D. Roosevelt took over as president and attempted to save the country with the New Deal. The government could help save the American Dream, and there would be more job opportunities. The American Dream began to come true after the recovery of the economy from the financial crisis. Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to save America’s economy and improve people’s lives through the 1934 National Housing Act. This increased the number of homes built. In the end, owning your home was an integral part in the American Dream. The American Dream was fully restored after World War II. America became the most prosperous and strong nation in the world. American Public Media’s website states that by 1960, 60 percent of Americans had homes. This is twice the number in the 1930s. The economy was growing and unemployment was low. The United States had many things to look forward too in its future materially. Despite being only 6 % of the entire world’s population, Americans used one-third the Earth’s natural resources and products. People felt confident about their future and knew that they would enjoy more happiness and wealth if they worked hard enough. People were also excited about the American Dream and believed it.

The 1960s American Dream was characterized by money, happiness, and a house with “white picket fences.” In the 1990s, however, the government attempted to increase real estate purchases. The idea that houses were the best way to preserve their money was believed to be the American Dream. House ownership became an additional element to this original American Dream. It’s clear that people were desperate when faced with inflation and that investing in property was the best way to continue living lavish lifestyles. The “Great Recession” of 2009 brought about huge problems for banks and led to a significant drop in stock prices. Americans who placed money on financial and real estate sectors suffered severe losses and morale in the United States was once more at its lowest. People also began to question the American Dream and discuss it. Is there still a American Dream? How can the American Dream be revived? These questions have been the subject of many discussions and people continue to search for answers.

Thomas Jefferson and other Declaration of Independence authors defined the American Dream in 1776. It was “life, liberty, happiness, and pursuit of happiness”. The American Dream’s impact on people was strengthened by the new nation’s thriving economy during the 20th century. Americans and others from abroad began to see America as “a land with unparalleled opportunities”. This country was so young, free and open to everyone. People discovered millions of business opportunities and ways to elevate them. It was possible for anyone to work hard to achieve financial and social success no matter what they did.

Alexis De Tocqueville described this American spirit after visiting the United States early 1800s. These economic opportunities made it possible for Americans to believe they could achieve anything and that hard work was possible. Henry David Thoreau (a great American thinker/writer) described the economic opportunities. Thoreau’s words show that the American Dream idea was very well-supported in the new nation. The words “American Dream”, however, were not yet invented. American literature and news used “the American Dream” extensively from the mid-1800s to the late-1800s. These words often referred to ambitious Americans who moved to America from Europe to seek better living conditions. The American Dream was popularized before the beginning of the 1900s as a way to promote people’s social class and make them wealthy. Adams published the Epic of America in 1931. The American Dream thrived into the 1900s.

However, the Great Depression shattered the American Dream in 1930s America by removing wealth and leaving people homeless. Many Americans were forced from their homes and had to rely on the streets for food. The American people were in a very bad economic position and couldn’t achieve their American Dream. Franklin D. Roosevelt took over as president and attempted to save the country with the New Deal. The government could help save the American Dream, and there would be more job opportunities. The American Dream began to come true after the recovery of the economy from the financial crisis. Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to save America’s economy and improve people’s lives through the 1934 National Housing Act. This increased the number of homes built. In the end, owning your home was an integral part in the American Dream. The American Dream completely recovered after World War II. The United States was the most powerful and prosperous country in the world. American Public Media’s website states that by 1960, 60 percent of Americans had homes. This is twice the number in the 1930s. The economy was growing and unemployment was low. The United States had many things to look forward too in its future materially. Despite only being 6 percent of total world population, Americans used one-third the Earth’s natural resources and products. People were confident that they would be rewarded for their hard work and had no concerns about their futures. People believed that the American Dream was unachievable and exuberant because of the boom in the economy.

The 1960s American Dream was characterized by money, happiness, and a house with “white picket fences”. In the 1990s, however, the government attempted to increase real estate purchases. The idea that houses were the best way to preserve their money was believed to be the American Dream. House ownership became an additional element to this original American Dream. It is evident that people were desperate in the face of inflation. Therefore, investing in property was the best way to continue living lavish lifestyles. The “Great Recession” of 2009 brought about huge problems for banks and significantly lowered stock prices. Americans who placed money in the real estate or financial sectors suffered severe losses and the morale of America was again thrown to the ground. People also began to question the American Dream and discuss it. Is the American Dream still possible? How can we revive America’s Dream? These questions have been the subject of many discussions and people continue to search for answers.

gabrieldillon