American History Examination Essay

It is the intent of this paper to prove that the "American Dream" can


best be explained as a "ciity upon a hill."   "Ciity upon a hill" meaning


being above and superior over those below. The Civil War, the imperialistic


race of the 19th century, the Korean War, the KKK, and the Gulf War are all


examples of the "American Dream" of superiority playing a part in American


History.   Each American has a different idea of this superiority, but


nonetheless strive to achieve it, whatever it may be in.




    The Civil War which split the United States, was a clash of two


aspects of approaching the "American Dream" in a young America.   Both sides


felt their idea's and philosophies were superior to those of the opposing


side and therefore would benefit the country more and make it superior.


Both North and South wanted to better the country to have it achieve the


"American Dream".   Unfortunately, each side had a different perspective on


how to approach it.   Slavery was a major issue, the North against, the


South pro.   The disagreement on slavery lead to difficulty in the issue of


Westward expansion.   Both agreed to it, but whether to admit them as free


or slave states was where the split occurred.   The compromise of 1850


stated that California enters free, and New Mexico and Utah decided on


their own which is giving them more state rights in which the South heavily


supported.   This compromise did not satisfy each side fully.   The issue of


State rights intensified by the issue of slavery because the Southern


states felt they had the right to decide on their own about Slavery without


Federal intervention. It seems the Southern states felt that the "American


dream" was out of their reach because they felt powerless and inferior with


the Central government.   When the American revolution was fought to break
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