1. Unit 8: The American Dream Lesson 8.3: The attainment of the “American Dream”

2. Setting the stage In this lesson, we will evaluate the extent to which a variety of groups and individuals have had the opportunity to attain their perception of the “American Dream” through Reconstruction.

3. WARM UP What is your “American Dream”?

4. transcendentalism Among the transcendentalists' core beliefs was the inherent goodness of both people and nature. Transcendentalists believed that society and its institutions—particularly organized religion and political parties—ultimately corrupted the purity of the individual. They had faith that people are at their best when truly "self-reliant" and independent. It is only from such real individuals that true community could be formed. The major figures in the movement were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau According to Transcendentalists, what must an individual do in order to achieve the “American Dream”?

5. activity Class will be divided into 5 teams. In your team, you will research particular aspects of “The American Dream” from the perspective of your assigned group. In your poster, you are to promote the successes and failures in regard to achieving the American Dream. Group 1 = African Americans Group 2 = Women Group 3 = Irish Americans Group 4 = Chinese Americans Group 5 = The middle class Be prepared to present your poster to the class.

6. Reflection In your Journal,summarize the extent to which a variety of groups and individuals have had opportunity to attain their perception of the “American Dream”.