AS HISTORY - the American Dream

The phrase 'the American Dream' is generally supposed to have been coined by historian James Truslow, in his book the Epic of America, written in 1931. He said the dream was of an America where life would be better, richer and fuller for everyone. The phrase was new, but the idea wasn't. 

The phrase was taken up by many people. Politicians used the phrase when they were promising to protect rights and freedoms and push for equal opportunites. The phrase was also used in songs, novels and advertising.

However, the ideas of liberty, freedom and justice were only for some people. Abraham Lincoln regularly said that 'anyone' could be president, if they worked hard…