New American Identity

In the time period before the American Revolution, the people of the American colonies would proudly call themselves British. However, as the mid 18th century rolled around, these “bloody Americans” began to develop their own identity that was separate from that of the British. They viewed the British as uptight and snobbish, and then saying that they must be represented before Parliament could pass acts and laws upon them. In short, the Americans had carved out a new identity for themselves at the dawn of the American Revolution that helped to spurn their desire for independence.

Seeing as Great Britain had its own troubles much closer to home than the New World and the colonies seemed to not be imploding on themselves, the British government adopted a policy of salutary neglect toward America during the early 18th

In fact, nearly every colony had a representative assembly with elected officials. It was partially due to this political independence that Americans to began forge a distinctive identity that was separate from Britain’s Parliament. However, there were other factors that contributed to the growth of a new American identity.

The American and British victory in the French and Indian War was a sure sign to the Americans that is they were to unite together they could manage to defeat their enemies. The victory provided a huge boost American morale and promoted patriotism throughout the colonies. The British, however, did not have such a positive view of the Americans. The British officers believed the Americans to be poorly trained and rather beneath them. Parliament wasn’t all too happy, either. In an attempt to help pay for the cost of the war, Parliament tightened British control over the colonies and enacted taxes in order for the colonists to pay for their fair share of funds. In 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act which placed a tax on most