The American Dream
and Capitalism
Syllabus area 3: Ideologies –
the USA
Responsibilities
EQUALITY
DEMOCRACY
The American Dream
RIGHTS
FREEDOMS
CAPITALISM
The American Dream
• The American dream is the idea held by
many in the USA that through hard
work, courage and determination one can
achieve prosperity. These were values
held by many early European settlers,
and have been passed on to subsequent
generations.
Capitalism
• The USA is a Capitalist country. Capitalism is
an ideology which describes the way a country
organises its economic activity.
• In a capitalist country individuals own
businesses. These businesses compete with
each other. Successful businesses make
profits. It is individuals and not the
government that owns businesses.
• Under capitalism, people can set up their own
companies. They can invest their money,
talents, abilities and their hard work and if
they are successful they will achieve the
American Dream.
What are the main
features of capitalism in
the USA?
• Privately owned businesses – not owned
by the government.
• The ‘Profit Motive’ – set up businesses to
make money.
• Competition and choice – consumers
having choices of goods and services.
• The Market system – supply and demand.
• Non-intervention – Government will not
interfere to much in the running of the
economy.
US based Multinational
companies
COMPANY
PRODUCT
COMPANY
Microsoft
Levi
Strauss
Nike
Boeing
ColgatePalmolive
Kodak
Ben &
Jerry’s
Heinz
Xerox
Coca-Cola
Ford
Motorola
MAC
Gap
PRODUct
People who have achieved the
American Dream
• William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates) born October
28, 1955 is an American entrepreneur and the
chairman of Microsoft. Recent estimates put his net
worth near $56 billion.
• Oprah Gail Winfrey born January 29, 1954 is the
host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated
talk show in TV history. She is also an influential book
critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a
magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest
African American of the 20th century and the
world's only Black billionaire for three straight years.
She is also, according to several assessments, the
most influential woman in the world.
Continued
• Jennifer Lynn Lopez born July 24, 1969, popularly
nicknamed J.Lo, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated,
five-time ALMA Award-winning American actress,
Grammy Award and Latin Grammy-nominated singer,
songwriter, dancer, and fashion designer. She is the
richest Hispanic in Hollywood according to Forbes
magazine and also the most influential Hispanic
entertainer in America according to People en
Español's list of 100 Most Influential Hispanics which
pays tribute to Hispanics who have had an impact on
their communities.
What am I learning today?
•What is meant by the ‘American
Dream’
•The meaning of capitalism
The American Dream (1)
Everyone born equal
Democratic country and any
American citizen can be
elected President
Free to live their lives the way
they want to
The USA is full of wealth and
opportunities
Anyone can be successful if
they work hard
The American Dream (2)
Image of the USA to
the rest of the world
is a land of wealth,
opportunity and where
people could improve
their living standards
with hard work.
Ideology - USA
• An ideology is a set of
beliefs or ideas about
something – such as political
systems, religions etc.
• The ideology of the USA is:
CAPITALISM
Capitalism
Capitalism describes the way a country organises it’s
economic activity.
In capitalist countries you can invest in any business
- if successful they will make a profit and become
wealthy.
Competition is seen to be good. This forces firms to
cut prices and provide better services.
People can set up own companies and invest their
money.
Bill
Gates
Donald Trump
Steve
Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg
Give two reasons why
many American people
have started up their
own businesses (4)
Answer Scheme
People want to become rich by working hard
and making a success of their business. Eg Bill
Gates and Microsoft.
• America is a capitalist country which
encourages people to start their own business.
• Taxes are low meaning that people can keep
most of the profit they make.
• It is part of the American Dream.
Model Answer
There are many reasons why American people have
started up their own business. First of all, America is a
capitalist which country which means people want to
become rich by working hard and making a success of
their business. For example, Bill Gates is a successful
entrepreneur who has multi-billion dollar company.
Secondly, Capitalism encourages competition between
businesses meaning that it is possible to make a good
profit. In addition taxes are low in America so people
are encouraged to set up their business as they will get
to keep a lot of the money they make.
US based Multinational
companies
COMPANY PRODUCT
COMPANY PRODUCT
Microsoft
Levi
Strauss
Nike
Boeing
ColgatePalmolive
Kodak
Ben &
Jerry’s
Heinz
Xerox
Coca-Cola
Ford
Motorola
MAC
Gap
People who have achieved the
American Dream
• William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates) born October
28, 1955 is an American entrepreneur and the
chairman of Microsoft. Recent estimates put his net
worth near $56 billion.
• Oprah Gail Winfrey born January 29, 1954 is the
host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated
talk show in TV history. She is also an influential book
critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a
magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest
African American of the 20th century and the
world's only Black billionaire for three straight years.
She is also, according to several assessments, the
most influential woman in the world.
Continued
• Jennifer Lynn Lopez born July 24, 1969, popularly
nicknamed J.Lo, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated,
five-time ALMA Award-winning American actress,
Grammy Award and Latin Grammy-nominated singer,
songwriter, dancer, and fashion designer. She is the
richest Hispanic in Hollywood according to Forbes
magazine and also the most influential Hispanic
entertainer in America according to People en
Español's list of 100 Most Influential Hispanics which
pays tribute to Hispanics who have had an impact on
their communities.