The documents that were made available represent two very different understandings of American Exceptionalism.
In the book American Exceptionalism: How the United States Became the Last Super-Power, Alfred Bester says that “American Exceptionalism is very real” and that it has two parts. First he explains how Seymour Martin Lipset said that because the United States was “created through an explosive revolutionary event,” the only way they could make their nation legitimate was through “strict adherence to the ideological commitments to liberty, equality, and democracy that lay at the nation’s roots.” He then explains how Frederick Jackson Turner said that because the nation possessed “vast tracts of unclaimed land,” everyday people could become
Ehrenreich discusses poverty in the United States and more specifically the “culture of poverty”. Ehrenreich shows the effect of Michael Harringtons’s book “The Other America” and how it shaped the conservative view of poverty. After Harrington’s book, poverty was seen as personal issue not a social issue. The book gave reasoning for sepperating us from them, poor from rich, or educated from non-educated. Many governing politicians used this book to form there view of poverty and to see it as a problem with the person, not a problem with economics or wealth distribution.
Throughout the annals of American history, the advocation for freedom, and the absorption of ideals such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been at the forefront of the American belief. These beliefs were implemented in 1776 through the Declaration of Independence. This document was ratified by recalcitrant Americans who would not tolerate subjection to tyrannical rule. The American people hoped this document would seal their fate in relation to Europe, and prove to them, and frankly the entire world, that they were a separate, sufficient nation. But as the years unfolded, the realization that America would continue to be considered an inferior nation arose.
No matter how hard one tries, a person cannot debate a proven fact. Often times, the use of facts in literature can create a strong, compelling argument. In “Rough Justice: A Caning in Singapore Stirs Up a Fierce Debate about Crime and Punishment” by Alejandro Reyes, the author uses statistics, logic, and facts to build his argument supporting Singapore’s justice system that focuses on “a sense of personal responsibility” (Reyes 182). Unlike “Rough Justice,” the editorial, “Time to Assert American Values,” lacks logic but still attempts to convince readers of going against Singapore’s caning policy. After carefully analyzing the two texts, the reader realizes that the article “Rough Justice” is the most relevant and sufficient argument because of the author’s use rhetorical appeals and
A Debating Democracy America has been built on the principle that everyone has a voice and that everyone should use it, this leads to an innumerable amount of arguments, some that still persist. In The Thirteen American Arguments by award-winning writer, NBC Analyst, and American journalist, Howard Fineman, the author outlines what he believes are the thirteen most fundamentals arguments in U.S history. These thirteen arguments as well the numerous others are the building blocks of democracy and debate in our country. One of the ideals that makes this country unique, is the value of free speech. Everyone has the freedom to make their voice heard to the rest of the country.
The U.S used American exceptionalism to justify Native American removal by trying to trick Natives into believing they can be “helpful” to each other and by using power that they knew the natives didn’t have. In source C it states, “listened to our professions of friendship; we called him brother, and he believed us.” This shows the trickery used by Americans towards the Natives, causing them to be forced out of land. Similarly it states, “He thought the U.S government would trick, bribe, and bully Indian tribes as it carried out the law. The trickery, He feared, would lure Indians into selling their lands.
Famous French historian Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “America is great because she is good. If America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” (qtd. in Carson 651.) In “Recovering America’s Exceptionalism,” Ben Carson explains how we are losing touch with the values that once made America a great country.
The reality during the time was tyranny; liberties being destroyed; rules being broken; people treated unfairly. What better time was it for such meaningful ideas to come forth? “American exceptionalism refers to qualities that were first observed in the opening century of our history” (Murray 6). Throughout this article, Gordon Wood undoubtedly believes that this rhetoric the Americans possessed was a very exceptional trait. While this rhetoric was exceptional over 200 years ago, sadly it has not remained.
Aaliyah Scurry English 1 Mrs. Gray February 1 20203 Essay Both of the authors are really good people. Elie Wiesel accepted the Nobel peace prize for the Holocaust survivors and their children, and Theodore H. White made people understand that some people view America differently than others. Rhetorical devices are verbal techniques that create emphasis, and Rhetorical appeals are the qualities of an argument that make it truly persuasive. In the essay “Keep Memory alive”, and “The American Idea” the author uses rhetorical devices and appeals to show the emphasis in both essays. In the essay, “Keep Memory Alive” it says, “This is the 20th century, not the middle ages.”
What does it mean to be an American today? Being an American isn’t hard,but sometimes people just like to not follow things. First thing is being to say The Pledge of Allegiance in school than sitting down on your lazy butt. Second thing is being yourself. Three thing is if you are at a game standing up and put your hand on our heart for The Star Stander Bender .
The American Experience Throughout history, events have shape the perception of America and the American Experience. Whether shared by the world or only involving the United States, events like the Industrial Revolution, World War I, World War II, and the civil war have had a lasting impact on the country, its communities and its citizens. This impact is seen by the unique depiction of the American experience, which is unlike any other experience in the world.
An American is brave, welcoming, and judgmental. Americans tend to have great qualities, but like anyone else they have a few bad ones. These qualities don’t mean that everyone is brave or welcoming or judgmental. It is just a general statement. I know others might feel differently but in this essay I give my reasoning on why I believe that Americans are brave, welcoming, and judgmental.
These documents are different because the first document which is from a information text that was written after the event is mainly stating facts on how much money the US gave to gain land from other territories. The other text is different from the text from a point of view from an american government official and is giving opinions on the influences that America had on other countries and what happened due to when their former opportunity. However, they both prove that America had some reasonable and unreasonable causes and why they felt these causes were necessary to be able to make America bigger than it already was. This was all to gain land, money, resources, trade routes and opportunity for the future of America. Overall the US expansion was caused by the amount of opportunity that America had, the idea of Manifest destiny, and the amount of power that America used to influence other
What it means to be an American is that you have the freedom to vote freedom of speech. You have the liberty to be what you want in America no one chooses for you. Also have the liberty to work wherever you want not be someone 's slave. Being American means you don 't have to hide your religion, the color of your skin or your sex. You have the ability to speak what you want.
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.
America’s identity is defined differently by every individual. Ideally it was to be a place of freedom and acceptance, identified by its message of liberty and hard-work, however the question arises whether America is a melting pot in which only one culture dominates or it a mosaic of many peoples’ histories. America’s potential and true identity lies within its ability to assimilate and create a natural individualism despite race, class, and immigration standing. A country as powerful and influential as America is within industry, politics, and socioeconomics cannot be abstract in definition.