1. The American Dream
In the 1930s and today

2. 2016 American Political Rhetoric
Trump: dream
Clinton:
Obama:

3. Discuss:
According to a recent New York Times poll, more than half of Americans still believe in the American Dream.
What is the “American Dream”?
Where did the American Dream come from (historically)? Why do you think this belief is so persistent in America?

4. Discuss:
Is the “American Dream” specific to America, or is it a “human dream”?
Is there a distinct “Canadian Dream”? If so, what is it? Are there certain things that you think most Canadians dream of?

5. The American Dream in the 1930s
An excerpt from James Truslow Adams’s The Epic of America (1931): The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position. ( )

6. New York Times news stories: 1933 and 2009
Read James Truslow Adams’s article “America Faces 1933’s realities” individually and answer the multiple choice questions.
When you are done, compare answers with other students in your group. If your answers are not the same, re-read and discuss until you can come to a consensus.
Watch the 2009 news story by Shayla Harris and respond to the synthesis question. Can you back up your answer with evidence from the video and the article?
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