American Identity

In the colonial era, American identity refers to the idea of shared beliefs and values that made the colonies in the New World feel different and unique from Europe. Many people wanted to move to the New World because of the religious oppression, political instability, and economic hardships they were facing in Europe. The land and opportunities under mercantilism and the Joint-stock companies also gave many Europeans an incentive go to the New World. The idea of religious freedom was also enticing for many immigrating there. Although economics and political institutions played a role in the development of a distinct American identity, religious reasons were significantly influential in leading to the development of a distinct American identity between 1607-1750.

While the colonies participated in the Atlantic trade and gave colonists some experience with self-government, the economical and political factors alone did not create a distinct American identity because Europe controlled most colonial trade through mercantilism and the political institutions were limited to high class members, such as governors and wealthy proprietors. Most trade was controlled by Britain through the Navigation Acts. This made colonies export their goods, like tobacco, and import British goods, displaying how colonial trade was still being managed by Britain rather than having their own unique way. Also, enslaved Africans were used to grow cash crops. However, they still followed foreign practices rather than having their own way of planting. Even though the colonists were able to participate in trade and own more land than available in Europe, the higher class and European officials held more power than laborers. This did not give them a unique American identity distinct from Europe since they still had power over the colonists. Furthermore, the House of Burgesses in Virginia allowed colonists to have a self-governing system, but their decisions made could still be overruled by the King or royal officials, displaying that Europe still had power over them. While Pennsylvania, a colony under William Penn, allowed more freedoms, it still followed English law. This reveals that economics and political institutions did not play the biggest role in shaping American identity since they mostly reflected European practices. 

Religious reasons were the most influential in leading to the development of a distinct American identity. The Great Awakening allowed the colonists to feel a sense of shared experience. It challenged the power of established churches especially when certain preachers, such as George Whitefield, emphasized the significance of individual connections to God, rather than the traditional way the churches enforce. This allowed everyone to practice their own religious beliefs rather than being forced to practice one. American identity today displays a freedom of religion where people are free to worship however they choose, unlike the Middle East where the government controls religious practices and even enforces restrictions on certain beliefs. The American Constitution today includes freedom of religion while many political and economic ideas from colonial times are not continued in America, such as a theocracy based government and owning slaves for inexpensive labor. Additionally, Puritans believed that the Bible should be taught to everyone, leading to the formation of colleges, high literacy rates, and being able to form independent thought. Even though literacy was taught to educate others on God, it also created educated citizens who could engage in their societies to unite over shared values, freedoms, and create a government run by the people. This idea is still seen today where the Preamble of the American Constitution starts off by stating "We the People.” These ideas reveal the significant impact religion had in leading to the development of a distinct American identity since its effects are still held today as a core part of Americans, such as freedom of religion and a government run by its people, unlike political institutions and economics where most of their ideas are not continued today.