Behold, America : a history of America first and the American Dream
Churchwell, Sarah Bartlett, 1970-2019
Book
What does America stand for in the twenty-first century? Behold, America confronts this urgent question by looking at the story behind two of the most contentious phrases in the American political playbook: the 'American dream' and 'America first'. What do these phrases tell us about America's idea of itself? What does it mean to put America first, and what exactly are Americans supposed to be dreaming of - personal wealth, public power, racial equality, political refuge, individual freedoms? What happens when these values collide? 'America first' and the 'American dream' were born nearly a century ago and instantly tangled over capitalism, democracy and race. Invoked most recently in Donald Trump's presidential campaign, they came to embody opposing views in the battle to define the soul of the nation. Behold, America recounts the unknown history of these two expressions using the voices that helped shape that debate, from Capitol Hill to the newsroom of the New York Times, students to senators, dreamers to dissenters. As America struggles again to project a shared vision, to itself and to the world, Sarah Churchwell argues that the meanings and history of these terms need to be understood afresh so that the true spirit of America can be reclaimed. Insightful and revelatory, Behold, America overturns everything we thought we knew about the American dream, America first and the battle for the identity of modern America.
Main title:
Behold, America : a history of America first and the American Dream / Sarah Churchwell.
Imprint:
London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.©2018.
Collation:
ix, 356 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.
Linking notes:
Available in other form: ebook version Behold, America : a history of America first and the American dream
Contents:
Machine generated contents note: pt. ONE 1900--19201.The American Dream 1900--- 1916: The Spirit of American Dreams2.America First 1900--- 1916: Pure Americanism Against the Universe3.The American Dream 1917---1920: What Do You Call That But Socialism?4.America First 1917---1920 We Have Emerged from Dreamlandpt. TWO 1920--19305.The American Dream 1921--1923 Salesmen of Prosperity6.America First 1920--1923 The Simplicity of Government7.The American Dream 1924---1929: A Willingness of the Heart8.America First 1923--1929: A Super Patriot Patriotpt. THREE 1930--19409.The American Dream 1930--1934: Das Dollarland10.America First 1930---1934: The Official Recognition of Reality11.The American Dream 1934---1939: The Pageant of History12.America First 1935--1939: It Can Happen Here13.America First and the American Dream 1939--1941: Americans! Wake Up!.IntroductionPrologue: First, America firstPart one: 1900-1920 (1. The American dream, 1900-1916: the spirit of American dreams ; 2. America first, 1900-1916: pure Americanism against the Universe ; 3. The American dream, 1917-1920: what do you call that but socialism? ; 4. America first, 1917-1920: we have emerged from Dreamland)Part two: 1920-1930 (5. The American dream, 1921-1923: salesmen of prosperity ; 6. America first, 1920-1923: the simplicity of government ; 7. The Amwerican dream, 1924-1929: a willingness of the heart ; 8. America first, 1923-1929: a super patriot, patriot)Part three: 1930-1940 (9. The American dream, 1930-1934: das Dollarland ; 10. America first, 1930-1934: the official recognition of reality ; 11. The American dream, 1934-1939: the pageant of history ; 12. America first, 1935-1939: it can happen here ; 13. America first and the American dream, 1939-1941: Americans! Wake up!)Epilogue, 1945-2017: still America firstingCoda.
ISBN:
9781408894774 (pbk)1408894777 (pbk)
Dewey class:
973.9306.0973
LC class:
HN57
Language:
English
Added title:
Subject:
Umschulungswerkstätten für Siedler und Auswanderer BitterfeldNational characteristics, American -- History -- 20th centuryNativismSocietySocietyGroup identity -- United StatesNationalism -- United States -- History -- 20th centuryNativistic movementsSocial conditionsAmerican DreamPolitics and governmentRêve américainAmerican dreamMouvements nativistes -- États-UnisNativistic movements -- United StatesIdentity (Psychology) -- Social aspectsKonservativismusAmerican DreamUnited States -- Social conditionsUnited States -- Politics and governmentUnited States -- Civilization -- 21st centuryUSAUnited States -- HistoryÉtats-Unis -- Conditions socialesÉtats-Unis -- Politique et gouvernementUnited StatesUnited States -- Social conditions -- 20th centuryÉtats-Unis -- HistoireHistoryHistory
BRN:
2861255