American Exceptionalism

PowerPoint by Mr. HatawayCreated September 15, 2011

Essential Question

What were the five values crucial to America’s success according to Alexis de Tocqueville?

Key Terms

Constitutional Republic: a nation where the officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.

Beliefs: Something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction.

Values: Important and enduring beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture.

American ExceptionalismAmerica was founded on principles, a

vision of what’s possible, making it unique among nations.

Other nations found their identify and cohesion in ethnicity, geography partisan ideology or cultural tradition.

America, by contrast, was founded on ideas about freedom, about human dignity, about social responsibility.

American Exceptionalism

Alexis de Tocqueville coined the term in his work Democracy in America. Based on his observations on a trip

to America in 1831. Identified five values crucial to

America’s success as a democratic republic.

Tocqueville’s Five Values Crucial to America’s Success

Liberty – individuals are free to purse their own work.

Tocqueville’s Five Values Crucial to America’s Success

Egalitarianism – there is no social class distinctions; the poor do not defer to the rich and vice versa.

American values reinforce and reward the spirit of hard work and money making.

Herman CainPresident and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza

Tocqueville’s Five Values Crucial to America’s Success

Individualism – everyman has the same opportunity to succeed or fail. Joke, you

can laugh now!

Tocqueville’s Five Values Crucial to America’s Success

Populism – all individuals are allowed an opinion and are able to voice it.

Tocqueville’s Five Values Crucial to America’s Success

Laissez-faire – hard work and money making lead to success.

Meaning of Historical U.S. Mottos

E PLURIBUS UNUM

“Out of many, one” Proposed to Congress

in 1782 as the unofficial motto.

Appears on most government tender and seals.

Symbolized the 13 original States uniting together to form on compact and represented body.

Meaning of Historical U.S. Mottos

IN GOD WE TRUST

Became the official motto of the U.S. in 1956, the motto can be found on U.S. coins dating back to the 160s and paper currency since 1956.

Americans: Our Common Bond

The belief in the Constitution and the rights in the Bill of Rights helps bond Americans together and gives the hope of liberty and a better future for themselves and their children.

Create a web diagram

Directions: create a web graphic organizer including examples of each of Alexis de Tocqueville’s five values of America’s success as a constitutional republic: liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire.