History of the American Dream

The 'American Dream' is an idea of a liberal and prosperous America. The term 'American Dream', was coined by James Truslow Adams, a writer and historian.

What is the American Dream
The following quote by Mr. Adams provides us with an insight of his idea of the American Dream.

The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.

The United States has always been considered a land of opportunities. Many people, from the world over, have migrated to US, in search of employment and freedom of religion.

History of the American Dream
There is no particular or single definition of the American Dream. Different people in US perceive the idea of American Dream in different ways. The American Civil War helps in understanding the two different views regarding the American Dream. All the thirteen colonies of the pre-independence era, of America, fought together against the British. After the end of the American Revolution, however, things changed. The southern colonies had some views that didn't match with the northern states. The northern states were against slavery, and wanted a federal government to rule the US. They also favored the growth of industries in America. The southern states, however, wanted a sovereign state for them, and also supported the system of slavery. Their interests lied more in the agricultural development as against the industrial development. These clashes and differences in opinions, finally culminated into the Civil War.

Many Americans today, have lost their faith in the concept of the American Dream. The imperialistic policies of US might have been responsible for this. The efforts of US to establish superiority over other countries, was perceived to be a part of the American Dream by many. After the formation of Canada, there was no territory left in the continent of North America for the US to expand. Thus, the US turned to the east and supported South Korea against North Korea, in an effort to weaken China's influence in the region. After helping South Korea in regaining its territory from North Korea, the US decided to invade North Korea. Chinese authorities warned them against doing the same. However, the tensions between the two countries, China and the US rose, and the Korean War broke out. The 200,000 strong Chinese force attacked the UN (United Nations) forces that supported US. Fearing the intervention of USSR, the UN forces retreated back to the south.

Barack Obama and the American Dream
President Barack Hussein Obama, the current president of US, has voiced his opinion about reviving the American Dream. The following quote made by President Barack Obama speaks a lot about his determination and resolve to build a 'New World'.

The time has come to bridge the growing divide between Main Street and Wall Street. The American Dream is slipping out of reach.

The American Dream in the President's view incorporates the following points or policies.

• Provision of a universal health care cover.
• To bring about reforms in the unjust lending practices.
• To make college education affordable.
• Expansion in number of paid sick days.

Even in today's times of financial turmoil and the global economic recession, US holds key to solve many problems of the world. Let's hope that the American Dream is fulfilled under the new leadership.