[Buckeye McFrog]

To be historically accurate though, there was a fair amount of vilification of the rich during the first half of the 20th. Century (Progressive Era through the New Deal).

[LucianOfSamasota]

I don’t disagree;

But part of the American view of the rich emanated from our Judeo-Christian heritage; the idea that the Lord is our provider, and a wealthy man is blessed by the Lord. Hence, rather than envy the rich, we work hard “as unto the Lord”, and expect God to bless us. This might also be called the ‘Puritan work ethic’.

Marx could make small inroads until this aspect of our weltanschauung was eliminated.