Question

What happened to the American dream in the early twentieth century?

Answer 1

 The American dream has long been an ideal of prosperity not just for Americans, but for people across the globe. The promise of freedom and a better life drew hopeful immigrants before there was even a country to call home, and has continued to draw countless millions ever since. In the 1900s, the backgrounds of people dreaming the dream had never been broader. The economic ups and downs of a century had never been sharper like this before.  But from 1900 to 2000, the notion of the American dream assumed more forms, affected more dreamers, and encountered more backlash than ever before. In the twentieth century, Americans dreamed of the same things as their forebears—things such as freedom, wealth, and meaning. It is hard to say whether twentieth-century Americans were any more or less successful achieving their wishes than the generations that came before them. The undercurrent of disappointment explored in these few titles should not be taken to mean that the American dream has been rejected. Whether their dreams led to joy or heartbreak, the fact that writers return to the theme again and again with new aspects to explore and new perspectives to present tells readers that Americans continue dreaming the dream.

Answer 2

The idea of the American dream refers to a myth about what the United States represents as a country. For many people, America is the land of opportunity. This is a nation that promises freedom of religion, freedom to pursue your passions and the possibility to create enormous wealth.

This myth played an important role during the early twentieth century. During these years, many immigrants decided to come to America to look for a better life. They were inspired by the notion of the American dream. However, life was not easy for them. Many immigrants lived in terrible conditions, struggling to find work and integrate into mainstream society. This meant that during these years, the American dream was significantly damaged as the promises of freedom and riches were not realized.