James Truslow Adams Definition Of The American Dream

271 Words2 Pages
The American dream is a term which was first coined in 1931 by James Truslow Adams in his historical novel The Epic of America (1931) when referring to "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement." (Lee, pp. 231- 232). The term is often referred to as the United States of America's ethos which influences national pride, it is also used to describe the aspirations of what the founding fathers believed their nation should aspire to achieve upon writing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The idea that an American should aim to pursue happiness while promoting equality, freedom and the right to be successful regardless of what class