The phrase “The Emergence of American Nationalism” is frequently used by some historians to describe a set of political and cultural trends in American History between 1815 and 1840 such as trends in the press, and the rising popularity of republicanism, and the manifest destiny.
Between the years of 1815 and 1840 America was rapidly growing as a nation due to westward movement also known as manifest destiny. As a result, the “Emergence of American Nationalism” was in turn rapidly growing. Nationalism is defined as any situation in which a nation comes together for a specific cause or in reaction to a significant event, this develops a patriotic feeling, principles or mass efforts. This ideal and sense of nationalism spread across the United States following the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The President at the time was President Andrew Jackson whom was classified as a strong nationalist. This classification held true long after his presidency in addition to the continuous era of President Jackson the idea of nationalism was continuously growing.
There are a two types of nationalism; identity nationalism and civic nationalism. The United States exemplifies civic nationalism; for example a state is based on its citizens as opposed to, a dynasty or God whom is said to be above. As a result of pride in both themselves, their country, and their country’s character, Americans viewed the frontier as an opportunity to prove themselves. To further exemplify that their dedication and qualifications were “good” enough to be American. This was a primary explanation for westward expansion, manifest destiny. Westward expansion drew immigrants to migrate to the United States and begin their new lives. As they began their new lives they established new religions. Therefore, as many Americans established new religions the United States began to have extreme variety in both religions and nationalities. Americans believed it was their destiny to migrate farther into the western region. This idea was first expressed by John L. O’Sullivan and continued to be a long held idea. This was the ideal that God was giving Americans the rights to own all of the western area in North America. The western region, previously known as the Louisiana territory, legally belonged to the United States despite the land technically belonging to the Native Americans.The American settlers did not consider anyone else, such as the Native Americans, to be living on the land. Soon enough the east coast became overpopulated, crowded and the appeal of free land, new technology, wealth, adventure, and freedom for most American settlers was too appealing of an offer to decline.
Nationalism was a primary source of Expansionism. Specifically because the early American settlers believed that because this country was built for and around people like them that they hold the right to do as they please. This is inclusive of exploration to any extent of the settlers desires. This mindset was acceptable until the creation of the ‘Indian Removal Act’ this was the point the early American settlers crossed the line.This act in addition to a multitude of others prevented alternative non-white races from gaining “too much” power. Nationalism was a brilliant ideal that supported progress in a growing nation, however, common to most good ideas, an extremist took this ideal in a harmful way and turned something brilliant into something bad. The actions taken by the settlers due to their belief in both Expansionism and Nationalism had both its ups and its downs. It resulted in the deaths of many and near extinction of certain races. With this being said the positive side of things is that the America we know today might night be the same if things had not taken place the way they did.
In the colonies colonists began to take important notice between themselves and the British at this time. This was brought on by ‘The seven years war’ the colonial troops fought alongside the British making the delineation between the two more obvious than ever, the primary result of this was the growth of Nationalism throughout the colonies. During the war the colonists were taken aside by the horrible behavior of the British soldiers while even more so by the brutality expressed by the British officers in the form of punishments. Throughout the war the colonists began to believe that their role in the war was being significantly ignored by the British therefore increasing the growing tensions between the two. Despite the growing tensions between the British and Colonists the colonists were bonding together more so than ever and the up and coming development and improvements to the United States postal services was connecting the colonies more so than ever taking nationalism to a new level.
The press and politics were other trends in addition to the rising popularity of republicanism during this time that strongly influenced the growth of Nationalism. Republicanism is society providing the greatest possible liberty to individuals. Main ideas of this is power too the state, this by nature is a liberty but at the same time it must be limited. The newspapers helped spark Nationalism by signifying a definite line of separation between the British and the Americans and introducing new politics that supported a conditional government as opposed to an absolute government such as republicanism. Editors of newspapers throughout the colonies expressed their nationalism by reaching and pushing the boundaries of freedom of the press. The press continuously published the ideals and propaganda pertaining to a specific political affiliated group. The primary group published in the newspaper was the whigs, in addition too viewpoints of idealists such as John Locke who wrote the three inalienable rights; life, liberty, and property. The result of this was amplification of republicanism. The focus of newspapers was colonial coverage at this time they began the usage of the term ‘American’ when referring to the common identity of colonists hence the growing of nationalism. A boost in the ambitions of the press was the seven years war.