unit2 American Character.pptVIP

One of the main reasons why the early settlers came to America was to escape the controls they had experienced in Europe. There, small groups of wealthy people prevented them from moving into a higher social position or becoming wealthy, and government-supported churches controlled their religious practices and beliefs. Because these early settlers wanted to be free from such controls, they brought to America the view that the individual was supremely important. The settlers were against the efforts of the church, the society, and particularly the government, to control their actions. These controls came to be viewed as “un-American”. Influence of Puritanism The puritans hoped to build “a city upon hill”—an ideal community. Since that time, Americans have viewed their country as a great experiment, a worthy model for other nations. This sense of mission has been very strong in the minds of many Americans. The Puritans also have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, and respect of education owe every much to the Puritan beliefs. The Puritan theology To say Puritanism lay foundation of American culture, then we have to study The Puritan theology: They believe the basic sinfulness(有罪) of humankind; but it also that God had determined that some people, the elect, would be saved despite their sins. The Puritans who regard themselves the elect adhere to the advocacy(支持, 拥护) of sobriety [?’bra??ti:, s??-]节制) , diligence, thrift, and lack of ostentation (炫耀,卖弄) . The pioneering Spirit The Puritan regarded contemplation as mere laziness, the poverty either as punishment for sin or evidence that one did not have God’s grace. They sing highly of “entrepreneurship --- a pioneering spirit”. Every man for himself, and God for us all. (人人为自己，上帝为大家。) Every man is the architect of his own fortune. (自己的命运自己设计。) 美国人在创造自己文化的同时，也创造了许多表现个人主义的词汇。最有代表性的如： Self-absorption (自我专注)； self