Levittown and the American Dream
In Levittown and the American Dream, historian Lucy Worsley discovers how people in the 1950s began to live the American Dream, buying affordable housing in the suburbs. We learn firsthand from Pat Heagan, what it was like to move from an apartment in the city to a house in the suburbs. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
Lesson Express
Q: Why was Norman Rockwell an important figure in American history?
A: Norman Rockwell’s paintings and illustrations captured the perception of American values. Rockwell is noted as one of the most recognized artists of the 20th Century. His art showed images of family, freedom, and happiness, a depicted idealized version of what America represents.
Q: What is the meaning of the American Dream in the past vs. the American Dream in the present time?
A: In the past, the “American Dream” was about achieving success through hard work, often symbolized by owning land, having a good job, and becoming financially independent. Today, the American Dream still involves success and opportunity, but it also depends on a person's values and idea of success.
Q: Why was Levittown a representation of the “American Dream”?
A: Levittown represented the "American Dream" because it offered affordable, single-family homes for middle-class families. It symbolized the desire for homeownership, suburban life, and a better future for certain populations.