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The American Dream: Andrew Carnegie And The American Dream

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Fabrizio Moreira, an Ecuadorian politician, defined the American Dream: "The American Dream is that any man or woman, despite of his or her background, can change their circumstances and rise as high as they are willing to work" (BrainyQuote 2018). According to this definition, Andrew Carnegie undoubtedly lived the American Dream. Raised in a poor, Scottish family, Carnegie moved to America in hopes of a better life. Harnessing his determined and optimistic spirit, Carnegie rose through the workforce. Incredibly, in the 15 years since he moved to America, Carnegie created and owned one of the most efficient and prosperous businesses in America. Carnegie began his life as a destitute boy, but amassed a fortune as he grew up, and gave most of his profits away to help those like him when he was a child. …show more content…

His father was a weaver who had fallen on hard times. Unfortunately, Carnegie 's mother also had to work in order for his family to have food and a home. In 1848, hoping for better business, his family moved to the industrial Allegheny, Pennsylvania. When his father didn 't have much luck, Carnegie worked to help support his family. First, he was hired as a bobbin changer, working 12 hours a day, 6 day a week, only making $1.20 a week. Then, in 1849, he became a telegraph messenger in the Ohio Telegraph Company, making $2.50 a week. Carnegie worked hard, and could soon determine morse code by ear, and quickly became an operator (Wikipedia

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