1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
anygoal [31]
3 years ago
10

In what ways did the ideals of America provide an ideal to strive for rather than a lived reality?

History
1 answer:
pav-90 [236]3 years ago
3 0
In many ways, the founding of America represented a radical shift in the course of history. Drawing upon classical principles of democracy in ancient Greece and republic in ancient Rome, the founders of America outlined an ideal of government defined by equality and freedom. This is evident in the Declaration of Independence, which states that "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." The constitution later outlines the specific framework and goal of American government, noting that "in Order to form a more perfect Union. establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States." This gives us considerable insight into the initial goals and ideals of America: freedom, liberty, justice, tranquility,and equality. These frameworks also tell us that the founders intended rights to help secure these principles.

The problem with these ideals at the time they were written is that they did not describe the society that was immediately created by these words. Although the words of the founding outlined equality, slavery was still a massive and profitable industry in early America. Another radical ideas of America's founding-- that the people themselves should get a say in governance which would then help secure their rights--was also severely limited to the realm of white men. Women, people of color, and other disadvantaged groups were summarily excluded from democracy.

While this might imply that we should be pessimistic about how American democracy is able to live up to its goals, we should, however, consider the whole span of American history. Although the founding principles of America may be incredibly lofty--so high that they may never be fully realized--America's democracy and the ability of the people to shape government has throughout history helped expand the rights and freedoms for many groups. So while these ideals may never be a lived ideal, democracy gives us a real mechanism to work towards even the loftiest goals of freedom, equality, and liberty for all.
You might be interested in
What is the main reason the untied states entered the war according to Wilson ?
VikaD [51]

Answer:

What is the main reason the United States entered the war, according to Wilson? Wilson believed that the United States is determined to protect democratic ideals.

3 0
2 years ago
Read 2 more answers
How did religion guide the lives of both rulers and ordinary people in ancient Egypt?
vichka [17]

Answer:

Religion was extremely important to ancient Egyptian society, and very closely intertwined with the pharaoh's ruler ship of the nation.

Explanation:

8 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
What was the impact of the 1862 Homestead Act on the West?​
tatyana61 [14]

Answer:

The 1862 Homestead Act accelerated settlement of U.S. western territory by allowing any American, including freed slaves, to put in a claim for up to 160 free acres of federal land.

Explanation:

7 0
3 years ago
How did the decleration of indepence impacted today's society ?
Galina-37 [17]
It impacted today's society because it gave us freedom, it made us a country, it made us able to have our own laws and freedom's
4 0
3 years ago
1 What is Huntington's disease? A a curable, fatal neurological (brain) disorder B an incurable, nonfatal neurological (brain) d
Ilia_Sergeevich [38]

Answer:

Huntington disease is a disease that affects the brain. it is the breaking down of cells over time

5 0
3 years ago
Other questions:
  • How did the union war strategy take advantage of southern weakness to achieve a victory
    7·2 answers
  • In 1921 at age 39, Roosevelt contracted
    8·2 answers
  • What caused growing sectionalism between 1820 and 1850?
    9·1 answer
  • Which method did the Yamato most rely on to build their empire?
    10·2 answers
  • elected members of a represenitive democrocy vote to givr themselves a pay raise is it legitimate or illegitimate
    11·1 answer
  • Please help me on this question
    12·2 answers
  • In the study of history what is one major difference between a region and a period?
    9·2 answers
  • What was President Wilson's plan for the peaceful resolution of World War I called?.
    14·1 answer
  • What effect did European migration have on the indigenous people of the americas?
    6·1 answer
  • Answer the following question in 3-4 complete sentences. A traditional Greek woman painted on a vase. Her body and the vase are
    13·2 answers
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!