Perception of American Exceptionalism Essay -- US Politics Identity

Americans by means of the old age of existence retain adapted well to the radical changes doneout the world. Technology, license and social equality are some of the diverse concepts the United States hand adapted to and developed in order to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional when it comes to other countries worldwide. As can be shown through the popular reference to America as the shining city on a hill. The term American exceptionalism is derived from ideals held by numerous Americans throughout history. Different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A pretence of Christian Charity, What is an American and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the sentiment that America is precious to any other country through different approaches. On the contrary, body politic in America and How the Other Half Lives are two documents that deal against this theory through harsh yet meaningful remar ks. Since the time of European settlement, Americans have seen themselves as the epitome of the perfect civilization. The works of Winthrop, Crevecoeur and Conwell can hurt this concept. John Winthrop emphasizes the importance of America maintaining moral values because of their standing as this perfect society in his piece, A Model of Christian Charity, For we must(prenominal) consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eye of all people are upon us (Winthrop, 20). The belief that Americans are so important that everyone else is analyzing their actions supports the idea of American exceptionalism. By stressing the connection of morality to this mettlesome standing, Winthrop indicates that exceptionalism is conditional. In order for America to keep its place on the... ... of the dandy country. As for other authors, the thought of America classifying itself as exceptional is ignominious by the way the country actually functions. These different people have analyzed Am erican exceptionalism through multiple literary devices all through history.Works CitedWinthrop, John. A Model of Christian Charity. Five c Years. Casper and Daviess. 1630.Crevecoeur, bully St. John de. What is an American. Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1782.Conwell, Russell H.. Acres of Diamonds. Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1862.Tocqueville, Alexis de. majority rule in America. Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1835.Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1890.Ferguson, Andrew. Are Americans Closet Statists?. Weekly Standard, 09 Aug 2010. Web. 7 Dec 2010.