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American Exceptionalism. ... Puritans were not only the founders of the nations as
a whole, but the mother of American exceptionalism as well. ...
... I believe one of the most fundamentally important facets that contributed to
the American exceptionalism spirit this time was the frontier. ...
... in the US and on it’s establishments abroad, Andrew Kohut writes about the need
for an end to the long standing idea of “American exceptionalism”. ...
... with the worldwide view of America?s benevolent intervention has been best defined
and articulated by Henry Luce as ?American exceptionalism.? Thus far ...
... American exceptionalism caused the industrialization of America and the rise of
immoral, exploitative big businesses, consequently inciting class conflicts and ...
Submitted by loliboski on April 18, 2006
Category: American History
Words: 723 | Pages: 3
Views: 102
Popularity Rank: 73,527
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The term “American Exceptionalism” refers to the historical perception of the United States as an inherently idiosyncratic nation, because of its unique origins, national principles, historical evolution, distinguishing political and religious institutions. It is an ethnocentric idea that places the United States and the American people at a special place in the world by offering opportunity and hope for humanity and uniquely balancing public and private interests governed by constitutional ideals that are focused on personal and economic freedom. It is also seen as the presence of traits unique to the United States, such as the tradition of individualism, the failure of socialist parties, and high levels of religiosity. Some interpret the term to indicate a moral superiority of Americans, while others use it to refer to the American concept of itself as an exceptional ideal, which is not necessarily upheld by the people and government of the nation. Others claim “American exceptionalism” is common ethnocentrism and merely propaganda that justifies a chauvinistically America-centered view of the world. American exceptionalism also refers to some case of American uniqueness without implying that an innate superiority of Americans resulted in the development of that uniqueness.
While uniqueness does not imply superiority, I do think that our privileged nation has established itself as a global force because of the power it has been able to assert and the reverence other nations have for the American way of life, which has made it superior in some senses. While American exceptionalism in some ways argues an innately distinctive and individual status, I believe it to be a prominence developed throughout the course of United States history, rooted in the original colonization by the Puritans, furthered by the American Revolution and immigration, and maintained in our political stability.
Puritans were not only the founders of the nations as a whole, but...
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