Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang

Our topic is: American Identity - Views of the American national character and ideas about
American Exceptionalism. Recognizing regional difference with the context of what it means to
be an American.

I. American Exceptionalism
A. This is the belief that the US is basically different from other nations
B. The belief itself stems from the fact that the US was born by revolution as the
first new nation
C. It developed into a unique American ideology, Americanism, marked by
liberty, egalitarianism,individualism, republicanism, populism and laissez-faire
II. Early British Colonization (beginning with the Jamestown Settlement)
A. There was not a large American identity at this time, as the colonists were still
fundamentally British
B. However, they showed difference from the British in their form of government,
representative legislative assembly. This showed in multiple colonies as forms of
self-government
C. The Plymouth colony was also a way to establish the American identity: its strict
religious ideas created deep American ideals of morality, community, and hard
work (the Protestant work ethic)
III. Later British Colonization (Massachusetts Bay Colony)
A. By this point in time, the British government had taken an interest in the
colonies, rather than allowing joint stock companies to set them up
B. At this point, the colonies had each taken stands against American Indians. This
created an American identity of being a rugged, frontier-like people
C. At this time, Americanism had developed into Puritanism, but religious
extremists or separatists had created a culture of revolution in America
D. The first Great Awakening was the first mass movement of the American
colonists that united them as Americans for the first time.
IV. Near the Revolution
A. Americans (as we can now call them) had formed a (semi) national identity of
rebellion and resistance to the British
B. They pushed against British taxes, soldiers, and those forces that sought to
oppress them
C. Americans had also began a culture of freedom and self-rule, as opposed to the
controlling British monarchy
V. During the Revolution
A. This was the advent of American Exceptionalism, as the Americans were
becoming the forerunners of modern democracy while also becoming separate

Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang
from their British motherland
B. At this time, the American Identity was muddled, as Loyalists sided with the
British while the Patriots fought for American freedom
VI. Following the Revolution
A. Americas system of government was kind of working, but it was sidelined by the
Articles of Confederation
B. Loyalists either got in, or got out and left for Canada. Thus, the country was
further unified
C. However, this did show America to be ruled by multiple states who collectively
made decisions (although differences in population affected this), instead of an
oppressive central government that held ultimate power
VII. Antebellum Period (before Civil War)
A. The US had moved to the far more successful Constitution, and was expanding at
a crazy rate
B. America now had an international image as a rapidly advancing and growing
nation, as well as one who was removed from European affairs.
C. The second Great Awakening created many uniquely American sects of religion,
including its first native religion, Mormonism.
D. The American identity was weakened as slavery split the country into sectional
identities.
VIII. Civil War
A. The American Identity was split into two as the pro-federal government and
anti-slavery North fought against the pro-slavery and pro-state South.
B. Despite the external view of the United States of America as united no longer,
the citizens of America were still bound by the ideals of moral righteousness,
perseverance, and lack of fatalism no matter how misguided their beliefs were.
C. The gusto to protect what is treasured: for the North, liberty; for the South, way
of life, still moved Americans on both sides and served to embody the national
identity of Americans.
IX. Reconstruction
A. The divided beliefs in society, government, and economy that ruptured the nation
in the first place were soon fixed by the federal government, albeit outwardly
only. Though the American Identity appeared to be relatively unified to outside
spectators following years of reconstruction, internal turmoil still lurked.
B. Tensions regarding race brought forth the physical manifestation of the beliefs of
white superiority and equality: the KKK and federal troops, respectively.
C. Though in general Americans believed they were unified once more, the racist
beliefs of Southerners and the disfranchisement of African Americans appeared
to tarnish the American Identity of a unified agglomeration of cultures and

Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang
steadfast beliefs in liberty, justice, and strong spiritual values.
X. Gilded Age
A. Americans grew to become an internationally recognized force of nature, as the
rapid industrialization occurring in American society drew millions of immigrants
from around the world and further created a mixed culture within the United
States and precipitated a national identity of determination, hard work, and
perseverance.
B. Harsh urban life as well as economic troubles led to American families all
placing effort in working, thus creating the American Identity of a rigorous work
ethic.
C. Reform brought by prohibition, womens suffrage, and civil service reform all
created a more democratic America and showed the earnest will of Americans to
live a life of liberty and purity.
D. American identity also saw the manifestation of the supposed rags to riches and
American dream ideas with figures like Rockefeller and Carnegie rising from
humble origins to great wealth.
E. Scandals and abuse of wealth and lack of government strength damaged faith in
the country and its ability to keep order
XI: Progressive Age
A. Following the corruption and the excess of the gilded age, and the scandals that
came with it, America turned toward a more humanistic view.
B. The era of reform and change showed a renewed vigor in the American people
after a long time of stagnation
C. Renewed faith in government by the people with strong leaders like Teddy
Roosevelt gave America national unity that it had missed since the Civil War
D. The quest for empire and the victory in the Spanish American War also
strengthened the support for the country and the hope of the people
E. Government reforms by Progressive leaders to favor the people improved the
condition of the common man helping heal gilded age wounds
F. For the first time America was beginning to rise and take a role in international
affairs and appearing on the world stage as a real and significant player
XII: World War I
A. Americans unite to stay neutral through the European conflict.
B. American generally stick to the same identity and support entering the war in
Europe in order to spread democracy.
C. Marks the first time that America has impacted greatly a major world conflict,
American people now realized their potential and power in the world stage and
this paved the way to eventual dominance
D. On the home front, building the machine of war was taxing but uniting, as well

Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang
as change inducing, and it gave the womens rights movement and the
prohibition movement a springboard to use to build momentum.
E. America realized its prowess on the international stage, but also the cost of
world conflict, and so turned away from the war and world affairs for a time,
shell shocked by the awesome toll it took on the populous and the country

XIII: The Roarin Twenties
A. Isolated in the temporary post war prosperity, American consumerism began its first
major period of growth, giving rise to what would become modern materialistic culture
B. Prohibition was in effect, but the policy backfired and the populous enjoyed relatively
easy access to alcohol.
C. The quest for pleasure and experience, hedonism and disillusionment, led to throwing
caution to the wind and a greater degree of freedom and daring in the population
D. Advents of modern society such as cars and clubs increased the pace of life and the
pace of growth.
E. Also a time of great artistic growth, beginning of modern literature and art, the age of
anxiety and the unknown, a lot more fear and a lot less hope in artistic expression of
writers such as Hughes, Fitzgerald and Hemingway
F. The shallowness of the consumer identity was a major factor in shifting American
mindset from idealism to disillusionment
XIV: The Great Depression
A. The manifestation of the undercurrent of disillusionment as well as the popping of the
bubble of roaring twenties prosperity
B. The sudden collapse furthered the emotional strain on the populous
C. The shirt and want for action, any action, allowed for an unprecedented amount of
reform from FDRs government.
D. Almost Era of Good Feelings esque lack of resistance but yet nowhere near the same
amount of good feelings.
E. The consistent hand of FDR with fireside chats and the long tenure in office restored a
degree of faith in the government and its ability to lead the people
F. Poverty and hardship steeled American identity and struggle and adversity tempered it
as the spectre of war loomed on the horizon
XV: World War II
A. Towards the beginning of the war isolationist mentality prevailed as American mindset
was turned toward ignoring the problems of the outside world.
B. Gradual steps made by the administration began to subtly prepare America for its role in
the war such as media usage and the lowering of trade tariffs
C. The attack on Pearl Harbor awakened a dormant beast in the Americans and the massive
level of support, enlistment and industrial surge showed America just how powerful the

Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang
country really was
D. Almost single handedly holding off Japan in the Pacific while still funding and carrying
the Atlantic and North African wars began to spell the end of the old colonial order and
the beginning of the modern age.
E. The ideological nature of the conflict further aided the national unity as the quest
became about protecting freedom and democracy for the world.
F. The birth of the American superpower and the undisputed leader of the world became a
reality and the pride was obvious.
G. XVI: The Cold War
A. Americans after World War II were united against Communism and the threat of the
Soviet Union
B. The American Identity was threatened during the Vietnam War, as the country was very
divided over it.
C. basking in their victory, the hegemony of American business and politics led to pride and
an ego boost for the people
D. The constant threat of nuclear war in the atomic age however did lead to a degree of
caution and anxiety heightened by the suspicion and tension in the air with diplomatic
crises, McCarthyism and the like.
E. America had reached its zenith, but the tax it took was also staggering as its heavy
handed actions abroad with Vietnam and at home took a toll and eventually led to
massive unrest with the civil rights movement and the anti war movement.
F. Stronger out of the chaos America would rise united into the modern age a more whole
country overall
XVII: After the Cold War
A. America had triumphed and the people were jubilant and the prosperity of the 90s
showed it.
B. Stability was overall the trend and despite some tragedies, the sentiment was one of
jubilant victory and rejoice
C. the long nightmare of the war was over and the war of ideologies was won, democracy
was strongest and communism had fallen, no great enemy stood to challenge American
might any longer.
XVIII: Post 9/11
A. The tragedy and the fact that it was on American soil shook America to its core and
punctured the perception of invulnerability and safety that had reigned, the people had a
new enemy and a new threat
B. Fear and hysteria once more worked its way into mainstream culture as reactionary
responses and cries for blood filled the air and the rage of America was felt at home and
abroad.
C. The false pretenses of the war saw the movement become unpopular and major public

Neel Deshpande, Kiyaan Parikh, Josh Klyde, Keon Tsang
backlash as well as a stagnant economy towards the later half of the decade fostered
dissidence and unrest leading to the great recession and the housing market collapse.
D. Moving forward, a staggering national debt, foreign unrest and disdain for heavy handed
policies, general discontent, and the greatest military machine but flagging economic
machine forms the core of Americas situation, and a people swamped with technology
and the challenges of a new world are the people who make it up.