What is the American Dream?

What is "The American Dream"?

• Okay so for my U.S. History project I have to compose a survey/interview based off the following questions: 1. What is your vision or definition of "The American Dream"? 2. How does a person achieve "The American Dream"? 3. Who or what influences a person's vision or definition of "The American Dream"? 4. Which famous person has achieved "The American Dream"? please lend me your opinions, it'd be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  1. As a non-American (I'm British, if you're interested), I'd see the American dream as the idea that anyone (not everyone) may rise from the lowest of society to the highest, and by doing so benefit not only themselves, but everyone in society. 2. By working hard, coming up with a great idea or getting lucky. 3. Their place of birth. Y'see, here in Europe we have a rather perverse idea that the American Dream and the pursuit of profit or self-interest in general is evil. Americans, Asians and Africans tend to have a much more balanced opinion than we. 4. Gatsby. lol, seriously though, just look around at all the amazing companies and individuals that have flourished under the American system. Bill Gates brought home computing to the masses (my dad often tells me that he saw him in an article 30 years ago, and that he'd be a millionaire now if he'd only invested £5 in Microsoft!). Steve Jobs brought amaxing technology in the form of the Ipod and Iphone to those on low-to-median incomes. Henry Ford brought affordable automobiles to the world. The American Dream has benefitted not only Americans, but the whole human species.