7 American Values Beliefs and Religions7 American Values Beliefs and Religions.docVIP

American Society Culture Lecture 7 Traditional American Values and Beliefs Outline The traditional American values The most important American value The reasons for developing those American values The need for new national values New national values 9 cultural regions in USA The Context of Traditional American Values: “The land of opportunity” The values of the people who went to America for a new life developed into the traditional values of American today: Individual ________________ Self-reliance __________________ of opportunity Competition Material ________________ Hard work The most basic and most strongly held of all American beliefs The belief in _________________ of individual The desire and the right of all individuals to control their own _______________ without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized _________________. Individual Freedom Early colonists came to America to escape ___________________ at home (Europe) by kings, governments, churches, etc. British colonists declared independence in 1776 In 1789 the constitution was written which separated _____________ from state Titles (Lord, Duke, Sir) were _______________ to prevent an aristocratic society from developing Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance This created a “_______________ of freedom” where the individual was most important. Individual _________________ (i.e. you can do anything you want to do) is probably the most basic of all the American value. This “freedom” has attracted many immigrants to America. How can the American achieve individual freedom? They needed to be “self-____________” in order to achieve “individual freedom” Financial / emotional independence from parents Americans believe they should take care of themselves and solve their own problems They owe nothing to any man, they expect nothing from any man; they acquire the habit of always considering themselves as standing alone, and t