1. American
Dream
&
Values 静莹
陈艺婷
王燕莹

2. A m e r i c a n
D r e a m
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work.

3. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "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 idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

4. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live up to the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.”     I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.     I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.     I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color if their skin but by the content of their character.     I have a dream today.     I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.     I have a dream today.     I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
I HAVE A DREAM

5. "I Have a Dream" is a public speech by American activist Martin Luther King. It was delivered by King on August 28, 1963, in which he called for an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.

6. American Values in Different Time Periods
Traditional Value
Modern Value
Postmodern Value

7. Traditional Value
The time frame of traditional value is up to 1700s. Priests are the most influential people for those who hold this belief . They believe that human being is God’s creation. So they are inclined to preserve the past and obey The authorities. Generally speaking, traditional value is more conservative and hierarchical.

8. Modern Value
Modern value started from 1875 and now is very common in American. They believe in science and treat scientists as the most influential people. Comparing to traditional value, they think that human beings are just random chance beings, instead of being created by God. So they want to improve the past by their own thinking.

9. Postmodern Value
Post modern value begins in It is also called Pop culture, because some rock stars lead the fashion and influence people quite a lot. For these people, they are inclined to ignore the past and they don’t count on authority for obtaining knowledge. They treat themselves as their own authorities, so they do not need to obey other’s orders.

10. Core Value Freedom Equality. Democracy. Champion of the little guy.
Helper of the oppressed.
Defender against tyranny.
Capitalism.
Independence.
Strength.
Rightness and righteousness.
Manifest destiny.
God.
Freedom of religion.
Family.
Wealth.
Faith.
Entertainment and happiness.

11. Equality
Equality is the basic belief in American values, just as the Declaration of Independence said, “ All men are created equally that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. So in their eyes all people are equal and have their own values, and no one is born superior to anyone else. Once a baby is born, he begins to have value. God creates him, so he is unique in this world.

12. Liberty
Liberty, is also the basic point in the Declaration of Independence and American history.
Since Christopher Columbus discovered the new land in 1492, American people have been suffering a lot from colonial rule for nearly 300 years, however they never stopped their struggle for liberty during this period of time. America gained independence from colonial rule.

13. Independence and Individualism
For most people, independence and individualism are the first two words that come into their minds when they talk about Americans. The one values that nearly every American would agree upon is individual freedom.
The concept of individualism also affects the type of government so much that individual rights are also guaranteed in the United States Constitution.

14. The Origins of American Values
The Immigration of
Puritans
The
Declaration of
Independence

15. The Immigration of Puritans
In 17th century, a Group of people thought that the Church of England was too Catholic and they wanted to purify the Church. However their beliefs were heretical to the Church of England, so they had to leave there because they were Religiously persecuted. In 1620, one hundred and two People reached North America and began new life there.

16. The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declares that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

17. Chinese Values
Ritual
Benevolence
Justice

18. In traditional Chinese culture, the value of "ritual" requires people to behave in a civilized manner. How to enjoy a meal is considered a personal freedom, but each country has its own table manners. Likewise, people have the right to choose what to wear, but they cannot walk naked in the street.

19. Benevolence is also a value emphasized in equal opportunities for the stronChinese culture. In my view, "fairness" should be emphasized over the value of "equality" touted in Western nations. The concept of equality is that society should provide g and the weak, instead of protecting the weak. In contrast, fairness includes the concept of protecting the more vulnerable group. For instance, equality gives priority seating to people who get on the bus first, but fairness requires stronger people to give the seats to people who are weak.

20. Finally, righteousness, or justice, is an important value in traditional Chinese culture. Democracy can protect an individual's political rights, but cannot ensure that people use their power to do the right thing. What democracy ensures is the legality of resolutions, instead of justice for people.
In Chinese culture, the legality and morality of procedure as well as the result are both important.