The Founding Myths of American Society

1.      Freedom and the American Dream

The concept of freedom is 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.”

Americans perceive their country as :

·         A God-given haven

·         A Land of opportunities

·         A new Promised land

·         Equal opportunities

·         Prosperity and a better life

“From rags to riches”

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)

Statue of Liberty: a suggestive symbol

·         Raises flaming torch at the entrance of NY

·          Attracted millions of newcomers

·         American dream still alive in minds of refugees

·         Attracted millions of newcomers

·         American dream still alive in minds of refugees

2.      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. »

However:

·         USA was not founded by people of all nations.

·         Founded by European Puritan settlers: WASPS

·         WAPS became the norm : Assimilation

·         Ethnic groups, minorities

·         Pluralism, multiculturalism (languages)

·         Separatist movements

·         “Salad bowl”

3.      Frontier Traits: Pragmatism and Individualism

·         18th and 19th Centuries: The frontier period

·         Movement to the West

·         Americans developped adaptability to survive in the wilderness.

·         Pragmatism, individualism, and Self-reliance 

Freedoms Reverse Side:

Those who fail are considered as :

Responsible for their destiny

Guilty of unachievement

Lazy

4.      Mobility

·         American society very mobile

·         Geographically: 10% 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