The American Dream And The First Great Awakening

Success, a state of being, does not come easy or fast, and most people will do anything to achieve it. Some people find this success through themselves or through the cooperation or influence of others. Specifically in America, the most popular perspective of success lies in owning a nice house, car, and having a family. All of which consists of an independent effort, but the beginning of American time seemed a lot more about cooperation with their community. Over time, the American Dream has evolved through Puritans, Revolutionaries, and transcendentalists to form an American Dream revolving around personal interest with a cooperative foundation.

In the colonial times of America, Puritans came to the New World in hopes of achieving religious

Hand in hand with the first Great Awakening, Puritanism influenced people to believe in a higher authority than themselves where they believed in their church and a supernatural God who can take their life at any moment. Religion rallied people together in one body to grow progressively, because they believed “there is no Fortress that is any defense from the power of God”, and with that, people drew away from idolatry and did not oppose the strength of God (Edwards). Furthermore, Puritanism created an early stage of the American dream where the responsibility to achieve success lied on all the shoulders of the Puritans. Prosperity did not exist until everyone thrived because they were unable to put themselves higher than one another since they believe God is the Almighty. This form of the American Dream relied heavily on relations with other people and advancing their well-being based on others. On the other hand, today's version lies in that modern society cares less about religion or community and more about their selfish needs or wants. It is less likely to find a person who see success through the unification of the community, but instead of being entirely fixated on them self and who they are. However, the foundation for cooperating with others, and seeking prosperity

The Revolutionary American dream consisted of getting their country's Independence and gaining much money people do not feel so pressured to work with one another since not government is above church, and less American see no purpose and staying in the status quo. The reason for unification was a lot more politically where they decided that joined as one full body will lead to Prosperity against England or else everyone will die along their aspirations (Franklin). Compared to today's society, Americans advocate for unification occasionally and only at times were it seems necessary. Modern America finds itself and unification when political interest class, but comparing to the revolutionaries modern America separates more than it unites. The American dream cannot be hand-in-hand with anyone anymore and it is more dependent on their own interest and ideas. Revolutionary America and modern America find themselves with similar and contrasting values. Both Americans find success with their Nation comes together, but modern America is more so on an individual's interest in ideas were revolutionary America is more on the whole