The Protestant Work Ethic associates with the American dream. The American Dream is the idea held by many people in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. It comes from the Protestant Work Ethic. The attitude toward work reveals that work means salvation, such prosperity approves the grace of God. It inspires and accomplishes American Dream, which was described as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone.” The Protestant Work Ethic also establishes the basis of American democracy. The first Puritans coming to America signed the Mayflower Compact; the compact reflects the principle that the minority is subordinate to the majority. They practice the autonomy, and everyone has the rights of equality and liberty. Gradually it becomes the groundwork of American democracy.
The Protestant Work Ethic influences the American colonial history a lot. The Great Awakening, which designed by ministers to restore spiritual intensity to church life and authority, reinforces Protestant Work Ethic by attacking complacency of the soul, feels free of the material world and urges individuals to refrain from sinful activities. The Great Awakening not only revives people’s religious convictions, but also energizes people to speak for themselves and to rely less on the traditional authority of ministers and books. It relates to the Protestant Work Ethic because it also believes people get thrive only through their hard work, not rely on others. The Protestant Work Ethic also affects Benjamin Franklin. He believes that through hard work and clean living, a person from a humble background could prosper, maybe even become rich. He deems “rags to riches” and personifies hard work, self-discipline, convincing American colonists of the economic opportunities available to them. The Protestant Work Ethic influences a lot of people and plays an important part in the growth and development of America.
The Protestant Work Ethic spurs Americans to entertain a vision for the future that includes time, sweat, and ultimate success. Americans realize the road to the financial success of the American Dream is more a matter of hard work than luck; hence they keep the Protestant Work Ethic and engage in working to get prosperity. For example, students study hard in order to find a decent job, so that they can get prosperity to lead satisfying lives. Due to the economy crisis these days, many companies reduce their staff. In order to hold their job, many Americans work even harder than they used to, because they think hard work is the best way to lead their way to prosperity. The Protestant Work Ethic accounts for a large part of American success and also permeates Americans’ thinking now. In all, Protestant Work Ethic affects both the historical development of the United States and America today; it plays an important part in the growth of America.
