Summary
Highlights
Another element of national identity was religious toleration. Post-Revolution, most states created a separation between church and state, defunding state churches to keep religion a private matter. However, regional variations persisted, such as Massachusetts mandating church attendance while also emphasizing freedom of worship, reflecting its historical connection to the Congregational Church.
American national identity was also expressed through cultural forms. Artists like Charles Willson Peale and John Trumbull used the neoclassical style to romanticize revolutionary heroes and events, glorifying figures like Washington and depicting historical moments like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, thereby shaping national narratives. In literature, Hector St. John de Crèvecœur's 'Letters from an American Farmer' presented the 'American' as a 'new man' blending European roots with frontier opportunity, while also acknowledging the reality of slavery. Architecturally, the U.S. Capitol, built in the federal style (an American adaptation of neoclassical Greek and Roman designs), symbolized order, democracy, and a deliberate break from the British Georgian architectural style.
The American Revolution was a pivotal event that fostered a more distinct American identity. However, it's crucial to remember that strong regional cultures and identities persisted. While modern Americans often identify nationally first, people of that era felt a stronger attachment to their regional identity, even as events like the First Great Awakening and the Revolution itself pushed towards a unified national identity. This identity was a layered one, much like a lasagna.
A defining characteristic of American identity in this period was the idea of liberty. The Constitution's opening 'We the people' emphasized possessing 'the blessings of liberty,' making Americans a 'free people.' This was illustrated by the abolishment of aristocracy, a direct rejection of European hereditary power structures. States mandated that government existed by consent and prohibited noble titles, promoting meritocracy where individuals could advance based on talent and education, not birth. Regional variations existed, however, particularly concerning who truly experienced this liberty.
The concept of liberty and meritocracy did not extend to all Americans. Women, despite political democratization movements, lacked legal standing and were seen as dependents. Their political participation was encouraged through 'Republican motherhood,' raising virtuous sons. A more significant regional variance was slavery. Northern states moved towards emancipation, with Vermont banning it immediately and Pennsylvania enacting gradual abolition. Southern states, however, relied heavily on enslaved labor and maintained the institution, denying liberty to a significant portion of the population. Enslaved and free Black Americans, like Gowan Pamphlet, actively formed their own notions of American identity through religious communities and mutual aid societies.