Our entire nation was founded on a dream. Even though the actual idea of ​​the American Dream wasn't coined until the 1930s, it has always been there, means something different to everyone, and has continually changed throughout this nation's history. There are three fairly common American ideals that define the American dream. The first is financial stability, and with it comes a nice home, a family, and a fairly relaxed lifestyle. Next is the idea that everyone is equal and will have the freedom to live the life they want however they want in a country that welcomes them with open arms. The latest, and most unique to our nation, is the idea that you can come here with nothing and make something of yourself. You can work hard and end up reaping the fruits you sow. Each of these ideals has remained constant in one way or another, but people cling to certain aspects of the American Dream in certain situations. For example, during the Great Depression people clung even tighter to the American dream because it was all they had left; it was their hope for the future. As long as we hold on to our dreams, we keep the dream alive because if we let go, we will have nothing left to hold on to in the face of difficulty and adversity. The American Dream is a symbol of all that is right in this country, which is why it remains alive in history, current events, and in the hearts of American citizens. The American Dream Throughout History The American Dream has been present and ever-evolving since the discovery of America. You can look in any old US history textbook and see all the basic ideals that America was founded on. America was a place where people could start over and escape things like poverty, rely on… the medium of paper… start over. It could mean that you work for what you get and you get what you work for. It might mean having a nice house with a white picket fence. It might mean doing something for yourself even if you started out penniless. The point is that it means something different to everyone and that's what keeps our hopes up, whatever it is. There have been many moments when the American dream has been threatened. When our nation was falling apart due to the financial crisis, we held on to our dreams and pulled ourselves out of them. We could have given up, but we didn't. We could have taken the easy way out and given up everything this nation stood for when we were about to resort to communism, but we didn't. We kept the dream and let it continue for future generations. It is because we have not given up that we have future, hopeful generations to pass the dream on to.