Material Wealth and Hard Work

American Continent has always been seen as a land of opportunity where constant progress is a way of leaving and hard work is rewarded with material wealth. As history shows us, early settlers came to the North American Continent to start a new life where people don’t have hereditary aristocracy and no church or king’s power was established. The arrival of new immigrant settlers was in continuous progress, and so by the end of nineteenth’s century different racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious groups came together to achieve desired goals. The United States has always been energized by its immigrant population where men and women, poor and middle class, different races and beliefs came to this country to work hard, gain material wealth, and eventually progress.

American land appeared to be a “land of opportunity” with its incredibly abundant natural resources that served as a prime reason why immigrants, tired of their old land’s rules, decided to make a new start. But the abundance of natural resources was not the only reason why the United States progressed. The main secret of its wealth was the beliefs, determination, hard work and desire to progress; although, these qualities did not made them “rich overnight”, Americans worked hard constantly looking for ways to better their lives. A good example of how American people tried to contribute to social life will set women of those times. Women were the once that were taking care of the household, kids and plenty of times dealing with a small home business. It required a lot of skills, effort and time to just maintain a stove in that times, it meant dealing with kindling, coal, ashes, and rust. Women churned butter, tended chickens, grew flax, sewed garments, processed meats, made candles, and helped their neighbors with childbirth and sickness. As the time passed and there were renovations and new ideas, women would try to keep an ideal household. Some women, in order to boost household income, often took in boarders or helped operate family stores, small shops or mills. These women desire of bringing some contribution to their social life by working and helping men, shows the true American spirit and desire to work hard and be rewarded materially.

The aspiration to material wealth was one of the main reasons why immigrants came to the United States; they wanted to raise their standard of living through hard work even if that would be possible only for the next generations. The phrase “going from rags to riches” was certain evidence that many immigrants viewed America as a place where they could end poverty and have a chance to do wonderful things. This phrase was often thought to be tied to the idea of “American dream”-an idea older than the United States, dating back to the 1600s, when people began to come up with all sorts of hopes and aspirations for the new and largely unexplored continent. As immigration accelerated rapidly between 1880 and 1920, millions escaped the economic dislocation and political situations in Southern and Eastern Europe. Growing numbers from Italy, Latvia, Russia, Greece and elsewhere sought to make futures in the United States. In the early 19th century there were about 3.000 Jews in the United States. Between 1820 and 1880 some 200.000 Central European Jews, mainly young, poor and from rural areas-emigrated to this country. The majority came from places that are now part of Germany, Poland and Czech Republic. They sought escape from anti-Jewish attitudes and laws worsening economic conditions in Central Europe. After sometimes long struggles to achieve financial security, these immigrants managed to create a good life for themselves. Strong economic and family networks, traditional elements of the Jewish Community, helped them adapt to American business and society. This shows how people can succeed through hard work, and that all people have the potential to live happy, successful lives.

As the time passed, and young, elaborate, hard working Americans engaged into new concepts of life, where change comes as an inevitable reality, the United States staked out a brave new world of technological advancement. Americans lived to see themselves more as producers than consumers, especially after the invention of the radio and television; also, the term “time is money” became their famous logo. Historians agree that the period between 18th and 20th century was the period in which the greatest economic and technological progress occurred. For instance, in the early years of motoring, not all Americans were convinced that the “new wagons” were here to stay. But, as people came to value the convenience of the car, and as they adapted it to their own needs, cars became a significant part of everyday life. To cope with the changes that “automobility” brought, the nation developed an elaborate system of legislation, commerce, and custom. Gas stations, tire shops, garages-sprang up to supply driver’s needs. By 1930, 23 million cars were on the roads, and more than a half of American families owned a car. Although, science, technology, and industry have profoundly shaped America’s economic success, it also contributed to its distinct institutions, social structure, educational system, and cultural identity. Thanks to its Puritan work ethic, Americans lived to see great results of their restless work and continuous progress.


As a result of the great diversity, where different ethnic groups are still distinct but unique in their desire of prosperity, American society benefited economically and scientifically. There isn’t a greater nation where people gathered in their hard work for a better future and continuous progress.