ACCORDING TO CREVECOEUR,WHAT DISTINGUISHES AN AMERICAN FROM A EUROPEAN?WHY?
HOW DID LIFE IN THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES TO THE CREATION CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF A UNIQUE AMERICAN IDENTITY?GIVE EXAMPLES
For your information, please use lower-case letters. Using capital letters is considered impolite in computer language, like SHOUTING. In addition, it is so much more difficult to read that some of us will not attempt it.
Sra
is that SRA as in Silk Road academy???
To find an answer to the first question, you can refer to the writings of Michel-Guillaume Jean de Crèvecoeur, a French-American writer, who addressed this distinction in his book "Letters from an American Farmer" (1782). He observed that being an American is distinguished from being a European primarily through the process of cultural assimilation and the relationship with the land.
Crèvecoeur argued that the American experience transformed immigrants who settled in America into a new type of person, different from Europeans. He believed that the American environment, particularly the vast and unexplored land, presented unique opportunities for individuals to cultivate their own existence and to forge a new identity. In contrast, Europeans were often confined by established social structures and limitations.
Crèvecoeur emphasized that the American character was molded by the freedom and independence that frontier life offered. He saw Americans as an amalgamation of many different cultures and nationalities, brought together by shared values and the pursuit of liberty. This blending of diverse backgrounds, combined with the transformative power of the American environment, led to the emergence of a distinct American identity.
Moving on to the second question regarding the influence of life in the British North American colonies on the creation of a unique American identity, it is essential to highlight several key factors:
1. Diverse Colonial Society: The British North American colonies attracted immigrants from various European countries, creating a melting pot of cultures. This diversity laid the foundation for a society that valued multiculturalism and the idea of a "melting pot" identity.
2. Religious Freedom: Many colonists came to America seeking religious freedom. The colonies provided an environment where different religious groups could practice their faith without persecution. This emphasis on religious freedom became a fundamental principle in the American identity.
3. Self-Government: The British North American colonies initially operated under various forms of self-governance, especially in New England. These early experiments with self-government, such as the Mayflower Compact and the establishment of colonial assemblies, planted the seeds of democratic principles that would later shape the American political system.
4. Frontier Spirit: Life in the colonies often required self-sufficiency, resilience, and adaptability, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by the harsh environment and Native American interactions. This frontier spirit fostered a sense of independence and a can-do attitude, which became integral aspects of the American identity.
5. Revolutionary Ideals: The British North American colonies' experience with British rule and subsequent conflicts, like the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, served as catalysts for the forging of a collective American identity. The colonies came together to embrace ideas of liberty, equality, and self-determination, leading eventually to the creation of the United States of America.
Overall, the combination of cultural diversity, religious freedom, self-governance, the frontier spirit, and revolutionary ideals in the British North American colonies significantly contributed to the formation of a unique American identity.