“Promised Land”:
 escape from
oppression and
persecution
 seeking a new and
better life
 “New World”:
aspiring to build a
country better than
than the “Old World”
 create a role model
(“City upon a hill”)
Manifest Destiny:
belief that it is the
settlers God-given right
to extend their territory
and civilisation to the
west
Frontier Spirit / Pioneer
spirit
 frontier = border between
western civilisation and
wilderness
 often refers to the decades
from 1860 to 1890
(=westward movement)
pioneers were transformed by
frontier life; frontier mentality:
 independent
 optimistic
 eager for material success
 scornful of rank
=> vision of a better life
beyond the horizon
today: space as „the
last frontier“
longing for equality,
democracy
( Declaration of
Independence;
Constitution) and a
classless society, in
which everyone can
realize one´s potential.
American Dream
Personal aspect
Political aspect
 democracy
 equality
 mistrust of
government
 sense of mission
 hospitality /
immigration
Social aspect
Economic aspect
 freedom and
equality
 upward mobility
 individualism
 “from rags to
riches”
 If you work hard,
you will be
successful
 (“ladder of
success”) and can
become anything
in American
society
 gain a certain
standard of living
including economic,
industrial and
medical progress
 reach personal aims
such as family,
property, freedom,
happiness, health
( Declaration of
Independence:
“Pursuit of
happiness”)
At the core the American Dream consists of the notion that if a person works hard, that
person will achieve his or her goals and improve his or her position in life.