Module 1: Nascent American Identity
Essential Question: What impact did the first immigrants have on the creation of an American Identity?
Diversity in North America was here from the beginning, and such diversity makes us uniquely American. The majority of colonists were the outcasts of Europe, most of whom were seeking economic, religious, and political freedom from the shackles of European governments. When they landed in America and were forced to deal with the decidedly un-European factors of forests, Native Americans, wild territory, unlimited land, and the chance to become wealthy, they developed a uniquely individualist, entrepreneurial, "leave me alone while I make a buck" attitude.
American national identity in the mid-1700s focused on language. The language spoken in the colonies ceased to be pure British English and instead became a mixture of English with French, Dutch, German, and Native American.
Contributing to the emergence of a shared identity in the mid-1700s was the end of the British policy of salutary neglect. With the passage of the Sugar and Stamp Acts, the British crown was becoming more involved in the colonists’ lives. The colonists resented this intrusion and began to see Britain as the enemy and united around that cause.
American national identity in the mid-1700s focused on language. The language spoken in the colonies ceased to be pure British English and instead became a mixture of English with French, Dutch, German, and Native American.
Contributing to the emergence of a shared identity in the mid-1700s was the end of the British policy of salutary neglect. With the passage of the Sugar and Stamp Acts, the British crown was becoming more involved in the colonists’ lives. The colonists resented this intrusion and began to see Britain as the enemy and united around that cause.