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The true meaning of the American Dream: How has it changed history?
The term "American Dream" represents the national spirit of the United States, claiming that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and achieve a better life. The concept was popularized by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 work The American Epic, and its meaning has changed over time. Originally this dream emphasized democracy, freedom and equality, but more recently it has focused more on the acquisition of material wealth and social advancement. Adams defined this dream this way:
"This is the dream of a land where everyone's life should be better, fuller, richer, with opportunities provided to each person according to his ability or achievement."He also pointed out that this is not A dream not merely of cars and high wages, but of a social order where everyone, regardless of the accidents of birth or status, is able to realize their inherent potential and receive the recognition they deserve.
The cornerstone of the American Dream can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence, which states that "all men are created equal" and have the inalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Preamble to the Constitution also states that part of its purpose is to "secure the blessings of liberty" to us and our descendants. These concepts include representative democracy, rights, freedoms and fairness, prioritizing opportunities for individual prosperity and success, and opportunities for social advancement based on hard work. In recent decades, however, declining social mobility and rising income inequality in the United States have prompted a rethinking of the idea.
Social mobility in the United States is actually lower than in many European countries, especially the Nordic countries. Despite this, many Americans still believe they have better opportunities for social mobility than Europeans, and even in a 2020 survey, 54% of American adults believed that the American Dream is achievable. Notably, black and Asian Americans, as well as younger generations, are relatively less confident. Women are more skeptical than men about achieving the American Dream.
Critics point out that mainstream American culture is often focused on materialism and consumerism, and places the blame for personal failures on individuals themselves. Even so, the trade union movement was once considered an important driving force in the realization of the American Dream. However, by 2024, only 10% of American workers are union members, a significant drop from 20% in 1983.
The historical evolution of the American Dream
The meaning of the American Dream has changed throughout history, and it encompasses both personal dreams, such as home ownership and social mobility, and aspirations for global cultural hegemony and diplomacy. In the 18th century, this dream originated from the myth of pioneer life. John Murray, the governor of colonial Virginia, noted that Americans “always fancied that the land further away was better than the present land.” He added,
“If they reach heaven, they will do so because they have heard that it is better. The place is just in the west and continue to migrate.”This shows that the American dream is an idea that continues to evolve and change.
The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 symbolized the creation of the United States government. Jim Cullen points out that since then, this declaration has become the banner of the American Dream, and many social movements, such as women's rights activists, populists, the gay community, etc., have used this banner to pursue their dreams. No matter how much disagreement there is about the scope or character of this dream, most Americans agree that seeking a level playing field is the basis of their government's legitimacy.
German immigrants who entered the United States, especially those after the failed revolution of 1848, viewed the United States as a freer place than their homeland. An immigrant expressed this sentiment:
"German immigrants came to this country and got rid of autocracy, privileges and monopolies. Everyone here can travel and settle freely."Indeed, the pursuit of the American dream began in the 19th century This was intensified by the gold mining boom of the century, which led to the birth of the California Dream, the desire for instant success and wealth. Historian H.W. Brandon pointed out that after the gold mining boom, the California Dream expanded across the country, and the contrast between the new dream and the old dream revealed the tension between material pursuits and inner growth.
The American Dream in the 20th Century
In the 20th century, as James Truslow Adams popularized the term "American Dream" in his work "The American Epic," this idea became even more profound in American culture. Adams emphasized that this is a dream that encompasses everyone's abilities and achievements, not just the pursuit of material benefits. Rather, he saw it as a dream that promoted a social order in which everyone could fully develop themselves, regardless of their birth or status.
When talking about social inequality, Adams pointed out that extreme wealth inequality is the biggest enemy of realizing the American dream. He emphasized that only the sublimation of ideas can overcome the expansion of matter,
"As long as we ourselves are only satisfied with the expansion of material existence and possess more and more material wealth, it is meaningless to expect those who can use this public attitude to obtain People with unlimited wealth and power would give it all up."He praised the library as a symbol of democratic management and the potential of the American dream to uplift and equalize.
In his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King rooted the pursuit of the civil rights movement in African Americans' desire for the American dream, emphasizing that this was not only a call from society, but also an extension of faith. In literature, many writers such as Alexandre Dumas, Scott Fitzgerald, and John Steinbeck have taken the American Dream as the core theme of their works and discussed the difficulties and challenges of achieving it.
In general, whether it is the analysis of history, the evolution of literature, or the reflection of social reality, the American Dream has profoundly affected the development of this land and people's beliefs. However, with the changes of the times and changes in social structure, where has this dream been pushed?
