1. The American Dream and Capitalism
Syllabus area 3: Ideologies – the USA

2. EQUALITY Responsibilities DEMOCRACY RIGHTS
The American Dream
CAPITALISM
RIGHTS
FREEDOMS

3. The American Dream
The American dream is the idea held by many in the USA that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations.

4. Capitalism
The USA is a Capitalist country. Capitalism is an ideology which describes the way a country organises its economic activity.
In a capitalist country individuals own businesses. These businesses compete with each other. Successful businesses make profits. It is individuals and not the government that owns businesses.
Under capitalism, people can set up their own companies. They can invest their money, talents, abilities and their hard work and if they are successful they will achieve the American Dream.

5. What are the main features of capitalism in the USA?
Privately owned businesses – not owned by the government.
The ‘Profit Motive’ – set up businesses to make money.
Competition and choice – consumers having choices of goods and services.
The Market system – supply and demand.
Non-intervention – Government will not interfere to much in the running of the economy.

6. US based Multinational companies
COMPANY
PRODUCT
PRODUct
Microsoft
Levi Strauss
Nike
Boeing
Colgate-Palmolive
Kodak
Ben & Jerry’s
Heinz
Xerox
Coca-Cola
Ford
Motorola
MAC
Gap

7. People who have achieved the American Dream
William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates) born October 28, 1955 is an American entrepreneur and the chairman of Microsoft. Recent estimates put his net worth near $56 billion.
Oprah Gail Winfrey born January 29, 1954 is the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in TV history. She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century and the world's only Black billionaire for three straight years. She is also, according to several assessments, the most influential woman in the world.

8. Continued
Jennifer Lynn Lopez born July 24, 1969, popularly nicknamed J.Lo, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated, five-time ALMA Award-winning American actress, Grammy Award and Latin Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, dancer, and fashion designer. She is the richest Hispanic in Hollywood according to Forbes magazine and also the most influential Hispanic entertainer in America according to People en Español's list of 100 Most Influential Hispanics which pays tribute to Hispanics who have had an impact on their communities.

9. What am I learning today?
What is meant by the ‘American Dream’
The meaning of capitalism

10. The American Dream (1) Everyone born equal
Democratic country and any American citizen can be elected President
Free to live their lives the way they want to
The USA is full of wealth and opportunities
Anyone can be successful if they work hard

11. The American Dream (2)
Image of the USA to the rest of the world is a land of wealth, opportunity and where people could improve their living standards with hard work.

12. CAPITALISM Ideology - USA
An ideology is a set of beliefs or ideas about something – such as political systems, religions etc.
The ideology of the USA is:
CAPITALISM

13. Capitalism
Capitalism describes the way a country organises it’s economic activity.
In capitalist countries you can invest in any business - if successful they will make a profit and become wealthy.
Competition is seen to be good. This forces firms to cut prices and provide better services.
People can set up own companies and invest their money.

14. Bill Gates
Donald Trump
Steve Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg

15. Give two reasons why many American people have started up their own businesses (4)

16. Answer Scheme
People want to become rich by working hard and making a success of their business. Eg Bill Gates and Microsoft.
• America is a capitalist country which encourages people to start their own business.
• Taxes are low meaning that people can keep most of the profit they make.
• It is part of the American Dream.

17. Model Answer
There are many reasons why American people have started up their own business. First of all, America is a capitalist which country which means people want to become rich by working hard and making a success of their business. For example, Bill Gates is a successful entrepreneur who has multi-billion dollar company.
Secondly, Capitalism encourages competition between businesses meaning that it is possible to make a good profit. In addition taxes are low in America so people are encouraged to set up their business as they will get to keep a lot of the money they make.

18. US based Multinational companies
COMPANY
PRODUCT
Microsoft
Levi Strauss
Nike
Boeing
Colgate-Palmolive
Kodak
Ben & Jerry’s
Heinz
Xerox
Coca-Cola
Ford
Motorola
MAC
Gap

19. People who have achieved the American Dream
William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates) born October 28, 1955 is an American entrepreneur and the chairman of Microsoft. Recent estimates put his net worth near $56 billion.
Oprah Gail Winfrey born January 29, 1954 is the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in TV history. She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century and the world's only Black billionaire for three straight years. She is also, according to several assessments, the most influential woman in the world.

20. Continued
Jennifer Lynn Lopez born July 24, 1969, popularly nicknamed J.Lo, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated, five-time ALMA Award-winning American actress, Grammy Award and Latin Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, dancer, and fashion designer. She is the richest Hispanic in Hollywood according to Forbes magazine and also the most influential Hispanic entertainer in America according to People en Español's list of 100 Most Influential Hispanics which pays tribute to Hispanics who have had an impact on their communities.