The American Dream A Dynamic Concept

• The American Dream is a common

concept, but is an individual goal
The Dynamic
American • Ideal American Dream has shifted
with cultural norms over history
Dream
• Evidence provided with texts from
important historical figures
 The American Dream of Ben
Franklin

• Success through perseverance

• Responsible for own actions

• Self betterment through adversity

• Charity to local community

The American Dream
of Alexander
Hamilton
• Financial Independence

• Responsible use of Resources

• Accountability of Action
The American Dream of
Abraham Lincoln

• Peaceful, diplomatic society

• Conversation-oriented compromise

• Non-interventionist government and free will

 • Focuses on Lincoln’s
Emancipation
Proclamation
• Lincoln wanted every
American to in charge
of their own future, and
for the first time
included slaves as
Americans
• Overarching theme is
freedom from any other
man or entity dictating
The Smithsonian Museum on what can be done
with individual life
on the American Dream
 • The ideal by which equality of
opportunity is available to any
American, allowing the highest
The American aspirations and goals to be achieved.
Dream Today • Broad application, allows anyone to
attain the American Dream
• A broad concept with individualistic
details
The American Dream Concluded
• A dynamic concept with many interpretations

• Has core principles

1. Equality of opportunity
2. Freedom of choice/free will
3. Independence from outside entities

The American Dream changes on the Individual level as time changes culture,
but the collective American Dream never changes. The idea of a person having
complete control over their destiny is an idea that transcends time.