American Dream -- surviving highs and lows in history

The term American Dream has withstood the test of time through centuries since the Declaration of Independence. It is a promise to Americans that their hard work will be rewarded. It is a promise that everyone will have a fair chance at achieving his or her personal dream. 

There is no question that the American Dream still persists in the society to this day. So, what exactly makes this ideal so powerful and long-lasting? Why do the American people continue to believe in this dream even during economic disasters such as the Great Depression?

Let’s start answering these questions by defining the American Dream. Historian James Adams described it as a dream of a better quality of life, “with opportunity for each according to ability or achievements” (White and Hanson 3). Accepting his Democratic presidential nomination, Obama also defined the American Dream in his speech: “that through hard work and sacrifice each of us can pursue our individual dreams…to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well” (White and Hanson 5). In essence, it is a belief that the American society provides a fair opportunity for everyone to achieve their dream, in the present and future, as long as they work hard enough.

Both Adams and Obama mentioned the “work hard, and you will be rewarded” promise of the American Dream. This promise is very influential and is critical in making the American Dream long-lasting. It conveys the message that if one does not achieve his personal dream, it is due to his or her lack of effort or ability. This diverts any possible blame for failing toward the individual. “You failed? That’s too bad. You must not have worked hard enough. What? It’s the Great Depression and the economy is struggling so you can’t find a job? Well, millions of people are still employed, why are you not one of them? Right, because you didn’t work hard enough. If you worked hard enough, you could have become successful like Ford, Morgan, and Carnegie.” These kinds of mindsets make the American Dream immune from being responsible for failures.

Another key element of the long-lasting American Dream is the success of people like Ford and Carnegie. Both of them were not born into wealthy families but found their way to the top and became symbols of the American Dream. Their success brings hope to others, giving them thoughts such as “Hey, maybe I can become one of them.” Even during economic turmoils, people can look up to them as proof that the American Dream exists, and know that their children will have an opportunity to become one of them. As Hanson and White state: “Even in the midst of a Great Depression, Americans sensed that their collective futures would be bright, if not for themselves, then surely for their heirs.” Because of the extreme success of people like Ford, people had strong faith in the American Dream, that their children will have a fair chance to succeed.

The American Dream’s ability to remain relevant for centuries is quite amazing, but when people never blame it for failures and always have faith in it, it’s impossible for it to disappear from the American society. In my opinion, it’s a good thing that this ideal is so powerful and long-lasting, as it is very beneficial to society. It generates hope during depressions and motivates people to work harder during times of prosperity. It pushes people to strive for better and in the process make our society a better place.