Foundations of the American Dream
What year did James Truslow Adams coin the term "American Dream"?
1931
Who wrote "Letters from an American Farmer" and presented visions of America as a land of opportunity?
J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur
What were the two major influences on the American Dream during the 19th century?
The Industrial Revolution and Westward Expansion
Which major economic event in the 20th century severely tested the American Dream?
The Great Depression
Which movement in the 1950s and 1960s redefined the American Dream to include racial equality and justice?
The Civil Rights Movement
What three key ideals does the American Dream traditionally symbolize?
Freedom, equality, and opportunity
Which early American poet critiqued the emerging ideals of the American Dream while being both a slave and a scholar?
Phillis Wheatley
How did the Industrial Revolution redefine the American Dream?
It introduced challenges like labor exploitation but also embodied the promise of prosperity through hard work.
What was the New Deal, and how did it relate to the American Dream?
A series of programs aimed at restoring economic stability and ensuring the American Dream was accessible to all.
Who delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington?
Martin Luther King Jr.
Which author's work in 1931 defined the American Dream as the ability to achieve success through hard work and determination?
James Truslow Adams
What does Benjamin Franklin's "Autobiography" illustrate about the American Dream?
It serves as a manual on self-improvement and embodies the spirit of personal freedom and economic self-sufficiency.
What doctrine encouraged Americans to expand westward during the 19th century?
Manifest Destiny
Which literary work by F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the material excess of the 1920s?
"The Great Gatsby"
What major legislative acts in the 1960s expanded the legal foundations of equality?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
"Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone." This quote represents which concept?
The American Dream
How did early American texts contribute to the national identity of the United States?
By cultivating principles of liberty and personal success, persuading both domestic and international audiences of the virtues of American life.
Who wrote "Democracy in America" and observed the fluidity of social classes in America?
Alexis de Tocqueville
What societal changes were spurred by the New Deal and World Wars?
increased roles for women and minorities, and a more collective responsibility for individual success.
Name one piece of literature that challenges the racial inequalities in America during the Civil Rights era.
"Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison or "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
Which historical ethos of the United States is central to the idea of the American Dream?
What contrast did early American literature highlight between America and Europe?
The contrast between the oppressive regimes of Europe and the democratic promise of America.
Name one author from the 19th century who critiqued America's industrial progress and moral decay.
Herman Melville or Nathaniel Hawthorne
How can literature today influence or reflect changes in the American Dream?
By serving as a mirror to society’s values and struggles, literature can drive societal change and reshape the American Dream for future generations.
How did television and media impact the Civil Rights Movement and perceptions of the American Dream?
By bringing the struggles and injustices faced by African Americans into living rooms across America, hastening legislative changes.