How Americanism Is The American Of American Imperialism...

Americanism is what Americans believe in, their values. Due to the nature of America’s foundation defining a clear-cut characteristic of an American and the motivations behind his actions is difficult. Yet the uniqueness of identifying only some factors of the incentive behind American expansionism and success is definition of an American. In the 1800s Americans wished for westward expansion—an idea of a frontier. Expansion had not been a new idea, but continuing the pattern of American history beginning when the first settlers arrived on shore. The drive for westward expansion was influenced by Puritan utopianism, revolutionary republicanism, and the economic growth of the mid-1800s. Many Christian sects fled to America to be able†¦show more content†¦It was at first a means of survival, but then a way of life as good land was easily obtained. The farmer thus became a â€Å"Jack-of-all-trades† due to the fact that he could live completely off his land and depend only on himself. He attained skills needed and learned to fix problems and was an inventor when new challenges arose. Soon though, religious indifference took hold of the colonies and the people became more concerned with making money once they understood that crops could grow and the colonists could become successful. The first Americans were all similar in rank—no nobility lived in colonial America. The early colonist could not relate to European customs after some time; in Europe the colonist had nothing. However, in America he had opportunities that would never arise in Britain. Through hard work, a man could rise in the ranks of America and become successful. As Puritans arrived and encountered Native Americans, the idea of a perfect society founded on Puritan beliefs compelled many to attempt converting the natives. Puritans developed an imaginary ideathat natives voluntarily invited them to North America. Native people were reluctant to give u p their language, culture, and family for a new religion imposed upon them by foreigners. Tribes would fight against the expanding Atlantic colonies hoping to encourage the colonists to leave the land.