Although I'm Canadian, I had to make a presentation on what it means to be American for U.S. History.

What does it mean to be American?

Everyone has different understandings of what it means to be American. Some believe that it is to be free and independent, others believe in the literal meanings of the law that dictates one has a citizen of the United States of America. Both of these answers are right in their own way but are based on the opinions of the different people. I myself as a Canadian outsider see the meaning of what it means to be American in a different way but is surely as correct as the previous answers. After being taught the colonial origins of the United States of America by Mr. Ware and understanding the causes and ideologies that led to the creating of the country, I consider being American is to believe in the themes of Independence (Freedom and Opportunity), Unity in Independence (Confederation and Federation) and the equality of all men/women and their civil rights.

Independence (Freedom and Equal Opportunity)

Independence in America has always been a major aspect of it's origins. Unlike other countries, the United States of America's National day is even called Independence Day to celebrate their freedom and independence from Great Britain. So it makes sense that Independence and freedom play a major role in what it means to be American. And after all, in the 1600s the first British colonies in the "New World" was created by young men looking for new opportunities and Puritan pilgrims looking for religious freedom and a new better, independent society. John Winthrop sums it up quite well in his sermon, "City Upon a Hill" to the Puritan pilgrims on their voyage "New World" where he encourages the people to come together and build a better society that would rival even the English. This sentiment would carry on to 1776 Declaration of Independence, probably the most renowned document in American history. In which the 13 colonies unite and officially declare their independence after being oppressed and used by the British for many years. This national incentive of independence derives from the freedom received after separating from Great Britain and continues to be 1 of the 3 main factors that make up being American.

Unity in Independence (Confederation and Federation)

Unity comes with independence. That might seem contradictory but it’s true. America would have never been independent if not for all the colonies coming together and uniting against their common enemy Great Britain. That is why I believe that unity in independence is another major aspect of being American. Thomas Jefferson made sure to portray the Declaration of Independence as “the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America” to emphasize the unity and strength of the states combined. Had the decision not been unanimous, they would have had to fight the enemy at home and abroad and look undecided to other nations who may aid them in the process. Quickly after declaring independence they formed the Articles of Confederation, a union in which each state was considered an independent country but shared a few common aspects. After being unsuccessful, the good aspects of the Articles of Confederation were taken and formed the federalist republic the U.S. has today in which the constitution grants specific powers to the federal government while retaining others for the state governments. Ever since the Declaration of Independence, the American states have been able to be united while still being able to retain their own independence. And as such being American is being able to feel independent in this unity.

Equality (Civil Rights)

One of the main reasons that the British colonies declared independence was because the colonists were not receiving the same rights and fundamental needs that the British people were receiving back home. In the Declaration of Independence, this theme of inequality was discussed at great length and stated, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." With the new independent states they created they were able to offer citizens with equal civil rights and encourage democratic governance. Although equality was different back then as it only offered the same civil rights to citizens, it gradually developed into the equality we know and strive for today. For the reason that it has always been an objective that the U.S. strived for and as such it makes up a huge part in what it means to be American.

Conclusion - What does it means to be American?

Added together, these themes of Independence, Unity in Independence and equality make up the very essence of being American. The three themes were prominent during the creation of the United States of America and still are to this very day. All the way from Jamestown to Obama but who can tell after November 8th.

Thank you for listening!