a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success James Truslow Adams (1931, Epic of America): „life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth“

the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence: "all men are created equal" and „they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." an iconic symbol of the United States and of the American Dream

The first mentions of the idea are older than the United States, dating back to the 1600s - the idealistic vision for the new and largely unexplored continent which included: owning land and establishing prosperous businesses which would theoretically generate happiness classless society no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin => anything is attainable through hard work

Since 1776, when the USA has been founded, it has regarded and proclaimed itself as The Empire of Liberty – the land of opportunity and prosperity the turn of 19th and 20th century: the largest emigration boom associated with the American dream – the misinterpretation of the idea of American dream as to „get rich quick“

James Truslow Adams: „The American Dream, that has lured tens of millions of all nations to our shores in the past century has not been a dream of material plenty, though that has doubtlessly counted heavily. It has been a dream of being able to grow to fullest development as a man and woman…“ „ “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are capable.”

The meaning of the "American Dream" has changed a lot over the course of history and has become a part of the American culture and lifestyle In the past the nation was characterized by the strong sense of individuality, thrift, hard work, and craftsmanship The big rise of industry (boom of the assembly lines and new machines replacing skilled workers), together with the aftermath of the World War II. and the Great Depression caused a big change in the work ethic of the Americans and gradual blossom of consumer culture

Nowadays Americans became preoccupied with material goods, desires for status and acceptance. There is a loosing sense of individuality, thrift, hard work, and craftsmanship that had once characterized the nation. There is massive marketing effort that legitimizes the message that wealth can be obtained quickly and easily, most commonly through a new wave of television game shows, lottery luck, and lucrative lawsuits => the quest for „easy“money

Literature Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Edward Albee: The American Dream Francis Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath , Of Mice and Men Toni Morrison: Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eyes Norman Mailer: An American Dream

Film Music American Dream (1990)- an Accademy Award winning document American Dream (album) - Neil Young, Nash, Crosby and Stills The American Dream (album) – Mike Jones American Life (song) –Madonna

Politics Benjamin Franklin Abraham Lincoln Henry Kissinger Hillary Clinton Barack Obama (best-selling 2006 memoir, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/American_Dream.htm http://francishunt.blogspot.com/2010/12/american-dream.html RenátaĎurčová, Oktáva