Unit 8: The American Dream

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

2. 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. Setting the stage

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

4. 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”? transcendentalism

5. 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. activity

6. America the Story of us = Westward Activity

7. 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”. Reflection