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Qualities of american exceptionalism
Qualities of american exceptionalism
American exceptionalism ideologies and character
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American Identity From 13 colonies to 13 states, America started taking its shape in Jamestown, Virginia 1607. Tedious factors such as, gender, class, ethic, religious and regional view help shape American identity after Revolutionary War. Before the Seven Year War Gender role in America started of simply as the man working in the field and women at home. The seven year war was the catalyst to the revolutionary war Great Britain added levy to everything from mails to goods, which led to a great disagreement between the English colonist and Great Britain. While the men were at war the women took their responsibilities and positions.
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.
Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” is stories centered around the American soldiers in the Vietnam war. O’Brien explains how the harsh atmosphere of war can mentally and physically traumatize a soldier. In order to escape this atmosphere some men fantasize about the women they love. The men do not think of the women as people with their own thoughts and feelings, instead they think of them as forms of comfort or motivation for survival. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and Mark Fossie profess to hate the women they love because the women do not fulfil the fantasies the men have created.
The U.S used American exceptionalism to justify Native American removal by trying to trick Natives into believing they can be “helpful” to each other and by using power that they knew the natives didn’t have. In source C it states, “listened to our professions of friendship; we called him brother, and he believed us.” This shows the trickery used by Americans towards the Natives, causing them to be forced out of land. Similarly it states, “He thought the U.S government would trick, bribe, and bully Indian tribes as it carried out the law. The trickery, He feared, would lure Indians into selling their lands.
03.01 Isolationism, Intervention, and Imperialism: Assignment From 1848 to 1849, Hungary fought for independence against the Austrian Empire. The Hungarians were able to win the revolution therefore becoming independent from the Austrian Empire. The United States declines to give aid to Hungarian patriots in 1849 is an example of isolationism. The definition of isolationism is a policy of refraining from involvement in global affairs.
America’s Metanarrative A metanarrative is a story that unifies an entire culture through its comprehensive account of experiences, historical events, and ideals. America’s metanarrative can be summarized by the idea of the American dream. The American dream is the belief that government should protect each person’s opportunity to pursue their own idea of happiness. The consequences of each person’s pursuit contribute to the culture’s metanarrative.
To Americans, America is a normal, basic country. America is an argumentative and feeling country with debates around every corner; yet somehow it retains a respectable air for a majority of the time. However, to people who live outside of America, the idea of what America is or could be differs entirely.
Native American Circle One of the most controversial parts of American history is the treatment of Native Americans during the colonization of America. Native Americans were enslaved, abused and killed without justification and these horrendous events destroyed part of Native American culture. Breaking the Native American cultural circle, even as early attempts to repair were unsuccessful furthermore breaking the circle, Native American culture is still alive today and slowly but surely the circle is being repaired. Although it realistically will never be fully repaired working to improve it helps not only Native Americans but others learn from the past.
In the aftermath of the Spanish-American War the United States collected its first international territories; Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. United States exerted political, social, and economic control over countries such as the Philippines, Cuba, Germany, Austria, Korea, and Japan. One of the most notable examples of American Imperialism in this age was the Annexation of Hawaii in 1898, where the United States gained the control and possession of all ports, buildings, harbors, military equipment, and public property that had formerly belonged to the Government of the Hawaiian Islands. This eventually resulted in Hawaii becoming America's 50th state in 1959.
What it means to be an American is that you have the freedom to vote freedom of speech. You have the liberty to be what you want in America no one chooses for you. Also have the liberty to work wherever you want not be someone 's slave. Being American means you don 't have to hide your religion, the color of your skin or your sex. You have the ability to speak what you want.
Imperialism In American Policy After reading these sections in Voices of Freedom the sense of conquering came to me. Seeming as if the United States was in a state of becoming the strongest and securest country at the time. The United States economy needed foreign markets to other words keep alive and progress as a country. Seemed like the federal government was under pressure to secure its power. Also be a prestige country in the world.
Imperialism once troubled America; and is still the case with many regions around the world. Efforts to secede from ones country have been accomplished many times throughout humanities history yet the same efforts in other regions often developed to nothing but further friction and division. Groups of people deserve to decide whether they choose to remain a part of a country or be self-determined. Instead of being tormented with the possible social, economic, political, aggression, and cultural issues that could potentially come from imperialism.
To be an American Americans often look to the American flag when thinking about what defines Americans. Despite that, being an American is much more than the flag. Various authors around America write about their experiences in America and how different people are treated. “America and I” by Anzia Yezierska and “Growing up Asian in America” by Kesaya E. Noda both write about their different experiences moving and growing up in America. “America'' by Walt Whiteman, however, talks about people in America being treated equally despite having differences.
The definition of greatness is, "chief or preeminent over others; remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness; markedly superior in character or quality". Is America preeminent over others? Perhaps, but so are nations like China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. Is it remarkable in magnitude and effectiveness?
What does it meant to be american? In america we might have conflicts like diversity, political problems, and more. America also has some amazing aspects to it we have freedom. With us having freedom that means that we can believe in any religion, have freedom of speech, and much more. In america we have a great military, army, and marines.
