Americans Quote by John Price
““In 1782 J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, in Letters from an American Farmer wrote: “Whence came all these people? They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes... What, then, is the American, this new man? He is neither a European nor the descendant of a European; hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country. I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations. He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. . . . The Americans were once scattered all over Europe; here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever appeared.””
About This Quote
Early American identity emerged from a blend of diverse European ancestries, shedding old prejudices to form a new, hybrid culture shaped by shared institutions.
In simple terms: America is a mixed, evolving identity.
Key Takeaway
Cultural hybridity defines national character.
Themes
identity
immigration
cultural mixing
nationalism
history
Mood
thoughtful
historical
Type
historical
cultural
When to use this quote
- multicultural education
- immigrant community events
- national holidays
- policy debates on assimilation
Key Concepts
social integration
collective memory
Practical Applications
- Promote narratives highlighting shared heritage
- Design inclusive civic curricula
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a 'new man' mean for contemporary societies?
- How can societies balance unity with distinct cultural histories?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks tensions and power imbalances among groups that persist despite a shared identity.
