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American identity

Definition

American identity refers to the shared values, beliefs, and characteristics that define what it means to be an American. It encompasses ideals such as freedom, democracy, equality, and individualism.

Related terms

Patriotism: Patriotism is a deep love and devotion towards one's country.

Melting pot: The melting pot concept represents the idea that America is made up of diverse cultures blending together to create one unified society.

Manifest Destiny: Manifest Destiny was the belief in the 19th century that it was America's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast.

"American identity" appears in:

Practice Questions (4)

Which aspect of American identity persisted during both World War I and II?
What factor contributed most significantly to the development of a distinct American identity during the Revolutionary War and Early National period?
Which author's work in the mid-19th century was a prominent reflection of transcendentalist thought and American identity?
What central component of American identity solidified during the Cold War and remains influential today?

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