The American Dream By John Winthrop - 1168 Words

What is the â€Å"American Dream†? The American Dream has always been characterized by a thriving job market, opportunities for advancement, stability, etc. It is â€Å"the pursuit of individual achievement without consideration for moral or legal restrictions† (Angulski, 2013). This idea dates back as far as 1630 to the puritan colonists. It was first established within a sermon given by John Winthrop while sailing to Massachusetts. This sermon set into motion the ideals that we have adapted today enveloping the â€Å"American Dream†. From then on Americans put their faith in the theory that if you work hard and do the right thing you will manifest your goals and eventually attain success and comfortability. The dream of the time was to live in a land where there existed a right to religious freedom and opportunity. This ideal has stuck to this day, however the validity may is no longer intact. The American Dream is a mere afterthought within today’s soc iety, overtaken by massive debt and loss of opportunity. The American Dream is the greatest asset we as a country possess, â€Å"the fact that people from across the world still want to come to America to fulfill their dreams, to join a society that they see as dynamic, exciting, and full of potential, is a testament to the great potential of America to improve lives and offer opportunity for all† (Ross, 2016). America is a substantially different world now than it was at the time of the initial â€Å"American Dream†. â€Å"The optimism of theShow MoreRelatedBenjamin Franklin And John Winthrop1651 Words   |  7 PagesBenjamin Franklin and John Winthrop, men with different ideals, present the same notion that America should be presented as a â€Å"city upon a hill.† Franklin believed that the American dream should be presented as an ideal where men and women are equal and can both move up in social class on their own, practicing any religion they desired. On the other hand, Winthrop believed that the new world was a religious safe haven only for the Puritans. American Exceptionalism was overall the main focus, guidingRead MorePuritan Beliefs Of The Massachusetts Bay Colony1236 Words   |  5 Pagesfaces of many of God s worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into Curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are a going (City Upon A H ill, Winthrop). When presented with conflicts threatening the harmony of a community and the possibility of dissenters, Governor John Winthrop and his ministers had no issue removing nonconformists to preserve the best interests of the larger community. A well known dissenter, Roger Williams, came from England with a strongRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Reagans Farewell Address1653 Words   |  7 PagesIn Reagan’s address, he uses many rhetorical devices to advance his purpose of unifying America, for instance, Reagan utilizes tone, syntax, and pathos to portray his pride, hopefulness, and patriotism for America. He uses these devices to show Americans of the unification America needs. Throughout the text, Reagan uses tone to express his pride for America. When he says â€Å"But oddly enough it starts with one of the things i’m proudest of in the past eight years: the resurgence of National Pride thatRead MoreForced to Choose Between Morals and Society in The Puritan Dilemma by Edmund S. Morgan600 Words   |  3 Pagestheir societies. Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson were banned since they had refused to accept the Puritan rules, and John Winthrop believe he could not continue in a country where the church remained tainted. The Puritan Dilemma indoctrinated the people, claiming we are all sinners other than the puritans. Everyone is sin and Puritans are saintly. Starting with John Winthrop, a man who was stubborn and strict in the manner he worshipped God, and devoted his life. Making it known that nothingRead MoreThe American Dream: Colonial Period2656 Words   |  11 PagesThe American Dream: Colonial Period The colonial period gave birth to an idea that would go on to cultivate itself into the minds of all people. Regardless of race, religion, or gender, the American Dream became an embodiment of the goals set forth in society for all individuals. Variations of this dream arose from person to person as the dream took on several different forms. As Jim Cullen states in his book, The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea That Shaped a Nation, â€Å"†¦there is no oneRead MoreColonial America: Founding the Dream Essay example1742 Words   |  7 PagesWorld also led to the discovery of the American Dream which became defined by the colonial Americans and generations to come as a second chance for economic opportunity and religious freedom. The first colonists to arrive in America established Jamestown, Virginia and sought new economic opportunities away from Europe. After the Spanish discovered the West Indies and the rich mines they held, young English men also sought these riches on the North American mainland (Byrd 131). Unfortunately, goldRead MoreThe American Dream Essay1480 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream is a concept that has circulated around the world and has caused people from other countries, and those who live in America, to come to our nation and take advantage of the opportunities in place to better their lives. The definition of the American Dream, provided by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America (1931), is â€Å"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 not a dreamRead MoreThe Impact of Puritans on the Development of America and Its Influence on Modern Society1141 Words   |  5 Pageswhere they could practice their religion without persecution or interference. The new world in the American colonies provided a great opportunity for the Puritans to branch out and form their own communities with their own religion and government. During this time there were two prominent figures in the growth of the Puritans movement in America, Jonathon Winthrop and Roger William. Jonathon Winthrop was the first governor of Massachusetts and served as such for twenty years. Winthrop’s brand of PuritanRead MoreAmerican Exceptionalism: The Destiny of America603 Words   |  2 Pages What was the destiny of America viewed by American Exceptionalis? All along as time has advanced, travelers have come here in great hopes to establish a great country, escape from persecution, to become rich, and many other ideas of the American dream, so to speak. After many years these ideas of what America should be has accomplished great achievements and perhaps combined the d estinies of many exceptionalist. There are three separate ideas of destiny that I am going to discuss and how they combinedRead MoreAnne Hutchingson and Freeborn Garrettson1207 Words   |  5 PagesGeneral Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During her examination, she confessed that she had experienced an â€Å"immediate revelation† from God. She described hearing â€Å"the voice of his own spirit to my soul.† After discussion with authorities, John Winthrop concluded that â€Å"†¦this is the thing that hath been the root of all the mischief.† She was found guilty and banished from the colony. In 1775, Freeborn Garrettson had a similar mystical experience. â€Å"In the night I went to bed as usual, and slept