The American Dream Is Based on Success, Happiness, and Money I believe that the American Dream today is based on success, happiness, and money. The reason i think this is because the reason people go through all those years of schooling is to become succufal, in return for being successful you make money, and because of money you can get and do the things you want, which in return makes you happy. Happiness is not all money, it also has to do with love. Lets first start off talking aboutnthe success, and money part. American children start school at the tender age of fo