Essay On American Exceptionalism

Perspectives To imperialize is to take control of a culture or a group of colonies and teach them the value of another culture. Historically, Imperialism began in Europe because of Social Darwinism, the desire for humanity to make the best possible traits. Therefore, Europe began the idea that it was their duty to influence other colonies and help civilize them. However, imperialist took control of the power they gained and it later became a controversial topic. Imperialist gained power and control economically, politically and socially over the colonies while the colonized people lost cultural values and wealth.

Today, our founding fathers are rolling in their graves. July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams believed would be “the most memorable epocha in the history of America.” It was on this date that the newly formed nation of the United States of America formally declared independence from the British Empire. This date marked what would be the beginning of a long and bloody struggle for independence and, more importantly, the natural rights given to us by God. They fought this war knowing that it was very likely that they would all meet their end by British hands, yet they kept fighting.

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.

In the poem “America” by Tony Hoagland, the author discussed the American lifestyle, and the culture presently in his own perspective and opinion. I agree with his opinion about the people in America, and the atrocious reality that we are living in today. This present reality that Hoagland addressed reflects my view and my perspective not just about the people who lives in America, but innumerable people that lives on Earth. Hoagland, not just criticized the lifestyle and the way Americans are living, but also the materialism that exists in most of the people.

P1 Our country went through many different steps to become what it is today. Our government is one of many things that changed. The Articles of Confederation were very weak, and did not change for a long time, even through the Westward expansions. The Philadelphia Convention was a very important meeting to try and ratify the new Constitution. Our government today is much more stable and has a unique structure to keep it in balance.

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 .

While Tyrell states it is impossible to decide whether america is truly exceptional or not due to the fact that there is not enough historiological unbiased evidence. In Lipset’s article,

Austin Rattee Period 3 What does it mean to be American? Im American, your an American, my parents are American, but do we really know what it means is the question. If you asked 20 different people what it means to me American I bet you would get 20 different answer all very different. Being American means you have rights such as The freedom of speech.

The belief that America is an exceptional nation that in several ways does not conform to the norm has been referred to as American exceptionalism. It is our country 's uniqueness that rates it high and special among others. It can be argued out that America is one of the freest nations across the world at both personal and political stories. This is enabled by the fact that the nation is governed by public as well as private interests. These interests that govern the America are based the country 's own constitution, which came to be in order to make each and every individual within the nation a window of success in the ever growing culture.

American exceptionalism, in reference to John Wilsey, author of American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea, is defined as “a unique nation—an exceptional nation—set apart and qualitatively different from, even superior to, the rest of the world.” (Wilsey 15). America, throughout history, has always been viewed as superior to other countries. While this may be true in today’s society, America back in the 18th century acted and answered differently toward certain affairs. In the 1700s, there were events that can be considered exceptional, nevertheless there is a larger amount of negative aspects that occurred.

Great America Brow furrowed in concentration and anxious about the massive crowds, the ticket collector prepares for the crushing energetic onslaught. The sight of excited park goers, lining up, like a slow, slithering, infinite snake brings a sense of anticipation. Like a curious explorer, I absorb the park map, preparing for my enjoyment of this expansive territory. From a distance, the kaleidoscope of structures, both lure me toward and repel me away from this daunting adventure. Towering high above the low clouds, the roller coasters look like giant pinwheels rotating in the sky.

What Does It Mean To Be An American What does it mean to be an american? Isn’t that the question that every american citizen wonders at some point in their lives? It is a simple question that can be taken different ways and answered in many different forms. Some may answer as a personal opinion, others as a factual statement, I however agree with those who see it as an opinion. Every person in America is different in some way.

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.

That’s a fairly simplistic notion and the focus of my essay explores whether this literal interpretation can still apply in today’s more complex society or whether being an American requires more than that. As I try to answer this question myself, I began first by trying to inventory the things I appreciate most about America. I quickly determined that the things I cherish most might be quite different than my other classmates, friends, and possibly my own family and that’s when I realized that the discretion to express your own ideas and to think

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.