1. From Pilgrims & Puritans…to us!
The American Dream
From Pilgrims & Puritans…to us!

2. FOLD PAPER so that you have 8 sections
I believe it is called hot dog and hamburger?
Title it THE AMERICAN DREAM (write it small at the top)

3. 1a. What was the “American Dream”…
For the Pilgrims & Puritans?
Why were they here?
What were they hoping to find?
Think:
“City upon a Hill”

4. 1b.What was the “American Dream”…
For the colonists?
Why did people move west? What challenges did they face?
Think –
captivity narratives
Mary Rowlandson

5. 2. What was the “American Dream”…
For the Native Americans after the colonists came?

6. 3a. What was the “American Dream”…
For soldiers during the American Revolution?
(why were they fighting?)
For women during the American Revolution?
(take a guess…)
Think:
Thomas Paine
Ben Franklin
Boston Tea Party

7. 4. What was the “American Dream”…
For soldiers of both sides during the Civil War?

8. 5a. What was the “American Dream”…
For manufacturing workers in , who were working 60-70hrs a week, 12-19hrs a day (Economic History Association)…
For child workers in the US during the industrial revolution?

9. 5b. What was/is the “American Dream”
For women in the 1800s and 1900s?

10. 6. What was/is the “American Dream”
For minorities (and their supporters) during the Civil Rights era…and still today…?
Former Alabama Governor
George Wallace apologizes
for his “racist acts” and
“[advocated] racial and
religious tolerance” (BBC).

11. 7. What was/is the “American Dream”
For immigrants?
For refugees/asylum seekers (people facing persecution by unjust governments)?

12. 8. What was the “American Dream”…
For Gatsby?
For Janie?

13. VOTE on Optimism
1. Do you think you will achieve the “American Dream” in your lifetime? 2. Will your children be better off than you?

14. Do you need to add anything to your dream?
Equality Education?
Political freedom Car?
Religious freedom House?
Representation (the right to vote) Friends?
Fair wages for time at work Pets?
Voting Vacations?
Travel Happiness?
Health care House?
Car

15. Optimism

16. Home ownership?

17. Car?

18. Education: The great equalizer…

19. YOUR DREAM
We have considered many ideas about the “American Dream.” It’s time for you to show what that means to you.
Create a picture, or a series of pictures that represents your future.
Name and self-portrait
where you might want to live
what your house might look like
what kind of vehicle you might want to drive
the material items you would like to own
where you will work
what your family will look like
the steps you’ll take to achieve this (education, job, etc.)
Put your name on the front.