American Exceptionalism refers to the image portrayed by the United States of America as a unique and distinct nation with strong pillars of democracy and liberty. The image stands out globally and defines the U.S. as a nation founded on a viable constitution since its inception in 1776. The other inferences linked to its uniqueness include strong political institutions and the American Revolution. These events happened relatively in the same period according to the American history. Thereafter, they contributed to the modern day American Exceptionalism. In this regard, the American Revolution and the emancipation from the British rule contributed to the American Exceptionalism ideology. However, different schools of thought have emerged that present different views on the subject of Exceptionalism (Shulman 2011). For example, others argue that the sense of Exceptionalism is a far reaching ideology and diverts from the political aspect. They suggest that the American uniqueness comes from the vast wealth and resources possessed by the nation. Another different theory explains that the Exceptionalism comes from the freedom enjoyed by the Americans. Moreover, others argue that it is as a result of North American inheritance of resources that are depicted partially by Canada. Therefore, there is a need to clarify the American Exceptionalism ideology, its resources and influence on the American society and the world at large (Bacevich 2008). This paper approaches the matter argumentatively while analyzing the existing schools of thought on the subject matter. Much information has been exempted from the explanation such as the racial aspect, the contribution of different ethnic groups and the issue of slavery. The modern definition fo... ... middle of paper ... ... way. Although other factors contribute to the American Exceptionalism, the political aspect stands out over the rest. Bibliography Shulman, G.. "American Exceptionalism Revisited: Taking Exception to Exceptionalism." American Literary History 23, no. 1 (2011): 69-82. Roberts, Timothy Mason. Distant revolutions 1848 and the challenge to American exceptionalism. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009. Pease, Donald E.. The new American exceptionalism. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2009. Ignatieff, Michael. American exceptionalism and human rights. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2005. Ceaser, James W.. "The Origins and Character of American Exceptionalism." American Political Thought 1, no. 1 (2012): 3-28. Bacevich, Andrew J.. The limits of power: the end of American exceptionalism. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2008.
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
Tindall, George, and David Shi. America: A Narrative History. Ed. 9, Vol. 1. New York: WW. Norton & Company, 2013. 185,193. Print.
African-American labor was beginning to be more valuable than white labor. African laborers were beginning to be looked at as property, as well as being treated that way. By the 1660’s, the status of the African ...
Divine, Robert A. America past and Present. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education/Longman, 2013. 245. Print.
Davidson, James West, et al. The American Nation. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003
There exists a lot of controversy over the term “American Exceptionalism.” Not only was this debate prevalent many years ago, it also exists today. There are many aspects of American culture that can make it seem like the most superior country in the world, but also there exists many that make it seem otherwise. The term American Exceptionalism is a term that is used to strengthen a country. In times of peril and chaos, the most important action a country can do is to come together as one. Exceptionalism is not only a term for leaders to live by, but also is a term that equates to a sense of pride for the entire country.
it's certain characteristics that set us apart from other countries. The fact we are self-reliant, and
An American History of the World. 4th ed. of the book. W.W. Norton, 2012, 591. 6.) Foner, Eric.
On the first day of class, I wasn’t so sure what the term “American Exceptionalism” meant, but by the end I have figured it out. American Exceptionalism is the notion that America is uniquely different from the other nations. The reason America is “uniquely different” from the other nations is because, the world expects America to lead, have values, pursue freedom, be diverse and open, and also practice democracy. Being a democratic nation makes us the city upon the hill. America is like a big brother, other nations look to us for help, guidance, and prosperity. The values and beliefs about politics and the government shape our American culture. The stress on a distinct national identity is appropriate within an increasingly diverse nation state and ever globalizing world. I agree upon this statement, because America deserves to be known as the “it” nation. America is more accepting, we are like a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities.
Tindall, George B., and David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History. 7th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2007.
American exceptionalism is a term suggesting that America was the best or superior; it was a term saying that it was different than any other place. Winthrop talks about the city upon the hill, which suggests America being a model or setting an example for other countries. We were supposed to be a beacon of liberty and freedom. During the founding of America, America was different than any other place. At its founding America was exceptional because it was different in the way people interacted with each other, different in the way the government worked, and different in its aspirations.
George Brown Tindall and David Emory Shi, America: A Narrative History, Ninth Edition, Volume One, (New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013), 504.
Slavery was the core of the North and South’s conflict. Slavery has existed in the New World since the seventeenth century prior to it being exclusive to race. During those times there were few social and political concerns about slavery. Initially, slaves were considered indentured servants who will eventually be set free after paying their debt(s) to the owner. In some cases, the owners were African with white servants. However, over time the slavery became exclusive to Africans and was no limited to a specific timeframe, but life. In addition, the treatment of slaves worsens from the Atlantic Slave trade to th...
“American Crisis.” The American Tradition in Literature, 12th ed. New York: McGraw Hill 2009. Print
American exceptionalism is a belief that the United States is different from other nations around the world and as such superior; the term was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1831, yet the philosophy of American superiority can be traced all the way back to the days before the United States was even an idea. They saw their new culture as “A city upon a hill” and sought to achieve moral and spiritual perfection. With this moral superiority the colonists, later Americans, saw a duty presented upon them by God and nature to instill such superior values into other cultures and the world. One such example can be clearly seen in the work of St. John de Crèvecoeur in Letters from an American Farmer where the narrator “Farmer James” states his belief