6.3 Nation-Building Narratives and Patriotic Literature

The early republic saw a surge in patriotic literature that helped shape American identity. Writers celebrated the nation's values of liberty, democracy, and individualism, fostering a sense of unity and pride among citizens. These works laid the foundation for American exceptionalism.

Songs, poems, and other writings played a crucial role in defining what it meant to be American. Authors like Philip Freneau and Joel Barlow crafted works that praised the new nation's achievements and criticized British rule, helping to solidify a distinct national character.

American Identity and Exceptionalism

Defining American Identity

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• National identity refers to the shared sense of belonging and collective characteristics that define a nation and its people
• American identity in the early republic was shaped by the ideals of liberty, democracy, and individualism enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution
• Civic virtue, the notion that citizens should prioritize the public good over personal interests, was seen as a key component of American identity (selfless service to the nation)
• Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur, a French-American writer, explored the concept of American identity in his work "Letters from an American Farmer" (1782), describing America as a land of opportunity where people from diverse backgrounds could forge a new, shared identity

American Exceptionalism

• American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is unique and superior to other nations due to its democratic values, individual liberties, and economic opportunities
• This idea was rooted in the notion of America as a "city upon a hill," a phrase used by John Winthrop in 1630 to describe the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a model of Christian charity and community that would inspire the world
• The American Revolution and the establishment of a republican form of government further reinforced the idea of American exceptionalism, as the United States was seen as a beacon of freedom and progress in contrast to the monarchies of Europe
• American exceptionalism influenced foreign policy, as the United States saw itself as having a special mission to spread its values and way of life to other nations (Manifest Destiny, interventionism)

Patriotic Literature

Patriotic Songs and Poems

• Patriotic literature, including songs and poems, played a significant role in fostering a sense of national pride and unity in the early republic
• These works often celebrated American values, heroes, and achievements while criticizing British tyranny and oppression
• "Yankee Doodle," a popular song during the American Revolution, mocked British soldiers and became an anthem of American patriotism
• "The Liberty Song" (1768) by John Dickinson, with its refrain "In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll live," encouraged colonists to resist British oppression and fight for their rights

Prominent Patriotic Writers

• Philip Freneau, known as the "Poet of the American Revolution," wrote numerous poems celebrating American independence and criticizing British rule, such as "The British Prison Ship" (1781) and "To the Memory of the Brave Americans" (1781)
• Joel Barlow, a poet and diplomat, wrote "The Vision of Columbus" (1787), an epic poem that portrayed America as a land of promise and progress, destined to surpass the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome
• Barlow's "The Columbiad" (1807), an expanded version of "The Vision of Columbus," further developed the theme of American exceptionalism and the nation's divine mission to spread freedom and enlightenment throughout the world
• Mercy Otis Warren, a poet, playwright, and historian, wrote patriotic poems and plays supporting the American Revolution, such as "The Adulateur" (1772) and "The Group" (1775), which satirized British officials and Loyalists while praising American patriots like George Washington and John Adams