The Self-reliance Value in The USAA famous quote by Benjamin Franklin expresses this idea well: "God helps those who help themselves." Starting and going on with their own life by helping themselves just means, self-reliance. After a brief understanding of American culture, the self-reliance value is the most impressive word for me. Because, you know, in China, some are accustomed to depending on their relatives especially parents not only in childhood but the adult stage. But in America, it is completely a different scene. How comes the self-reliance? What is its accurate meaning?First of all, just let us explore the history of America. The earliest settlers came to the North America continent to establish colonies that were free from the controls that existed in European countries, such as the controls from kings, government, priests, church, noblemen and aristocrats. After their consistent struggle and fighting, America finally declared their independence from European setters and establish a totally new polity ----democratic public. In the new-born country, everybody had individual freedom,which is the wellhead of any other human right. By freedom, American citizens began to operate the rudder of their life. That means, they can control their own destiny without any interfering from dark powers, without any bound by traditional thinking, just following their heart to find their true world. As a consequence, a value of self-reliance gradually spread.In addition, we should not ignore the Western Development that formed an important part in American history. As American settlers moved west in the early and mid-19th century, they had to depend on themselves to create a new world in the completely unfamiliar and strange West. There were many new problems and difficulties waiting for them to overcome. There were countless resources and opportunities for them to discover and take advantage of. For them, the West was like a blank paper to write words. In the case of no comforts from their homes back East , Americans gradually developed a value similar with self-reliance. It means, they can do anything as long as they dare to challenge and work hard by themselves. It is an optimistic and brave attitude towards future and life.Furthermore, we cannot neglect the development in thinking and literature. From my point of view, the most popular content and type of book in specific period can reflect what value matters most in that period. Meanwhile, the book and thinking can take effects on values. So if we want to explore the history of the self-reliance valuedevelopment, it is unavoidable to speak of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous writer and philosopher in America. He expressed the American pioneer spirit in his 1841 essay, "Self-Reliance." In this essay, Emerson stated that people should be independent, not conforming to the opinions of others. Emerson believed that each person should be content and at peace within himself. To a great extent, it contributed to the spread of the self-reliance value.So we can see that the self-reliance value roots deeply in the American history and it also thrives in the mind of every American nowadays. After searching the Internet, I am attracted by an interesting phenomenon in American bookstores. Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing washing machines to planting a garden. By contrast, the similar kind of books can only be found in a nook hard to take notice of. Why? Chinese are not all thumbs. Americans are not all handyman. The big difference just comes of the value difference. For Americans, exploiting their potentials in a new field means pursuing happiness and inspiration. They are willing to use their own hand to create a new world, handle problems and jump out of comfort zone. They enjoy relying on themselves in a free world.Other than the daily life, we can still find the footprint of the self-reliance value in the superstructure like the measures of government, lows, polities, etc. As Jefferson, the American president, wrote the oath for American schoolchildren, "I promise to use my critical talent, to discover my independent thought, and to accept education so that I can judge." The oath was personally written by Jefferson, the third President of the United States, for American schoolchildren. As is known to all, the guide thinking of education not only reflects but also contributes to the spread of main value. The oath declared by American president just delivers a attitude, which is that the aim of education is to educate the youth how to depend on themselves to own an independent thinking. In a word, to learn is to be ourselves. To live is to find ourselves. There is no dependent thinking.But there is one point we should remember. Self-reliance is not rejecting any help from others. Americans still need to depend on others. Well, you know, in America, there are many charity institutions which aim to assist those who are in need. People do not admire the rich, but the rich who give back to society. In every company, employees need to work together and coordinate to accomplish tasks. In every community, members are responsible for helping and caring for other memberswhen he or she is in need. Furthermore, most Americans rely on God. But it doesn’t contradict with the common self-reliance value. The truth of pursuing the self-reliance is to own an independent thinking and a unique and precious way of living while accepting love and giving love. As the saying goes, one tree doesn’t make a forest. When everyone hold with each other when relying on themselves and holding an independent thinking, the power of the whole country will be much stronger.Now it is time for us to go back to the original topic: what is the accurate meaning of the self-reliance value? I can use three key words to summarize it, which is exploiting potentials, independent thinking and challenging. But it can changes to fit in with the society. But the saying will not change---- God helps those who help themselves.。