American Exceptionalism Research Paper
American Exceptionalism
"Understanding the meaning of American exceptionalism is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand what it has meant to be an American." (Charles Murray) American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is exceptionally different then other countries in qualitative ways. This theory can be traced to writer Alexis de Tocqueville who was the first to state that America is 'exceptional. ' Many historical figures have used this term in speeches, writing, etc. A popular saying that demonstrates American exceptionalism is "city upon a hill" which was stated by John F. Kennedy. There are two sides to this concept: those who agree and those who disagree. Where does this idea of being genuinely different play a role in the controversial issue of intervening in Syria? …show more content…
It is overall fundamentally different then other nations around the world. People from all across the globe have dreams of moving to America and creating better lives in a more diverse and free area. In John F. Kennedy 's "City Upon a Hill" speech he described the country as a model to others and a beacon light due to the quality of people and leaders that inhabit it. When Ronald Reagan addressed the American Bar Assn. he discussed the issue of terrorism and how people wish to take America down because of its potential threat. Even Admiral Yamamoto warned Japan that he feared "we have only awakened a sleeping giant" after Pearl Harbor. Within the first century after the Constitution went into effect, European observers and Americans alike saw the United States as exceptional, with political and cultural aspects like no
"Understanding the meaning of American exceptionalism is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand what it has meant to be an American." (Charles Murray) American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is exceptionally different then other countries in qualitative ways. This theory can be traced to writer Alexis de Tocqueville who was the first to state that America is 'exceptional. ' Many historical figures have used this term in speeches, writing, etc. A popular saying that demonstrates American exceptionalism is "city upon a hill" which was stated by John F. Kennedy. There are two sides to this concept: those who agree and those who disagree. Where does this idea of being genuinely different play a role in the controversial issue of intervening in Syria? …show more content…
It is overall fundamentally different then other nations around the world. People from all across the globe have dreams of moving to America and creating better lives in a more diverse and free area. In John F. Kennedy 's "City Upon a Hill" speech he described the country as a model to others and a beacon light due to the quality of people and leaders that inhabit it. When Ronald Reagan addressed the American Bar Assn. he discussed the issue of terrorism and how people wish to take America down because of its potential threat. Even Admiral Yamamoto warned Japan that he feared "we have only awakened a sleeping giant" after Pearl Harbor. Within the first century after the Constitution went into effect, European observers and Americans alike saw the United States as exceptional, with political and cultural aspects like no