What Does It Mean to be an American?

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at American identity and how it has evolved over the past two centuries. The author discusses that the United States is a nation of immigrants that came to build a country where everyone would be equal. The author discusses how Abraham Lincoln and Richard Nixon are examples of presidents whose actions and fates are a reflection of this notion. The author finds that Americans are introspective and are constantly comparing themselves to others and they believe that every individual can make a difference. This is reflected in literature, film and other mediums.

From the Paper:

"But who are we as Americans? First, we must always remember that we are a nation of immigrants and descendents of immigrants, and that no person is more equal than any other not by wealth, not by bloodline, nor by political or religious affiliation. We are a classless society that promotes the individual's inalienable rights of freedom. President Richard Nixon, a man who abused his executive power and resigned in disgrace, said that the "greatest of America does not like in our economic strength or in our unequaled wealth. It cannot be measured by military power or diplomatic prestige. Other nations have been wealthy and powerful. But their wealth was for the few. The remainder had duties rather than rights, favors rather than privileges. It took daring on the part of our founding fathers to say that all men were created equal".In America, there is no forgotten man, no common man, no little man, no average man. There is only our fellow-man.?"

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