chapter 2 - American Values and Beliefs

Early settlers came to the North American continent and established colonies mainly because they wanted to be free from

• the power of kings, priests, and noblemen.

• the influence of their families

• the problems of poverty and hunger.

There are no titles of nobility in the United States today because

• no one likes aristocrats

• the church does not allow it

• they are forbidden by the Constitution.

The price that Americans pay for their individual freedom is

• self-reliance

• competition

• hard work

The American belief in self-reliance means that

• receiving money from charity, family, or the government is never allowed.

• if a person is very dependent on others, he or she will be respected by others.

• people must take care of themselves and be independent, or risk losing their personal freedom.

The American belief in equality of opportunity means that

• All Americans are rich.

• Americans believe that everyone should be equal.

• Everyone should have an equal chance to succeed.

In the United States, learning to compete successfully is

• part of growing up.

• not seen as healthy by most people.

• not necessary, because Americans believe in equality.

Traditionally, immigrants have been able to raise their standard of living by coming to the United States because

• Americans value money more than anything else.

• There were such abundant natural resources.

• The rich have shared their wealth with the poor.

Americans see their material possessions as

• having nothing to do with social status.

• the natural reward for their hard work.

• showing no evidence of a person's abilities.

A belief in the value of hard work

• developed because it was necessary to work hard to convert natural resources into material goods.

• developed because the immigrants who came here had a natural love of hard work.

• has never been a part of the American value system because people have so much.

In reality, such American ideals as equality of opportunity and self-reliance

• do not exist because there is no equality in the United States.

• are always put into practice in the United States and truly describe American life.

• are only partly carried out in real life, but are still important because people believe in them.