Title: American Dream in History - The American Dream
Headings: American Dream In History
American Dream In History
Content: So in 1776, Thomas Jefferson and other authors of The Declaration of Independence defined the American Dream as "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" (Jefferson). The economic boom caused the American Dream to become convincing
In the 20th century, the thriving economy in this new country strengthened the impacts of the American Dream on people's minds. Both Americans and other foreigners started to view the United States as "a land of unparalleled opportunity" (Kiger, The Origin). Since this country was so young and free, people were able to discover millions of business ideas and ways to bring them into a higher level. No matter what people did, it was highly possible for them to work hard and to achieve the success both financially and socially. Thus, after traveling in the United States in the early 1800s, Alexis De Tocqueville, a French writer, named this American spirit as "the charm of anticipated success" (Tocqueville). Those economic opportunities in this country significantly elevated the morale of the Americans and made them to believe that they can accomplish everything and be successful be working hard. Henry David Thoreau, a great American thinker and writer described the economic opportunities and the American belief in Walden: " ﻿
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours" (Thoreau). From Thoreau's words, we can learn that the idea of American Dream became really well-supported and prevalent in this new nation, although the words "American Dream" was not invented yet.