I think Americans are more aware of their short history than countries who do not study American history. I know the same is true for us Canadians. Really our history here in North America is not as deep in comparison to countries in Europe for instance who have had civilizations living there and recording history before North America was even discovered by the early settlers. Unless your blood line is part of the Native American inhabitants who lived here before early colonization of the eastern seaboard I don't think Americans are really American and they recognize that on a sub-conscious level. As for everyone else they recognize Americans as just that because of our recent history and I think the technological era has helped in spreading the word. Not to mention the strong patriotism American have at home and abroad. Also a symptom of having such a short heritage, in my opinion a defense mechanism in order to feel like their staked claim in this nation is legitimate and solid enough to say that they are truly from America.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I am Canadian and we do the exact same thing and people outside of Canada only think of us as Canadians.

Good question.

S

I find it amazing that being a country founded and formed by immigrants that (at least in the area I live) there is such a strong opposition to "foreigners" and other immigrants coming to this country today. We remember our heritage, but we forget that we are all the same.

I disagree with Shane. Americans are really Americans, and this has nothing to do with the amount of history behind them. Americans are really Americans because they value freedom and independence more than the citizens of European countries who have subjected their freedom to the collective will of a social democracy, and their independence to being taken care of by the state. A European does not immigrate to America in order to subject himself to a new queen or another social democracy. The original reason was freedom to practice religion. But those who migrated west had a strong independent spirit that had no need of rationalizations concerning a lack of heritage. If they lacked one, they were willing to work hard and build one for future generations, and that's precisely what they did.

I have to disagree Malenor.

I would have to say that your wrong in saying that Europeans do not value freedom as much as Americans. If it is the case that Europeans do not not have much freedom because they are subjected to a social democracy then wouldn't they appreciate freedom even more than real Americans. As the saying goes, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone."

S

The United States is truly a melting pot, nowhere in the history of civilization have you seen such a conglomeration of people do so well. We are the most prosperous country in the history of world. That is due directly to this influx of many cultures. That being said, it has not been a easy path for many immigrants arriving here. Slaves were brought in against their will. Apart from that the Irish were looked down upon when they first arrived. The Italians were treated as second class citizens when they began immigrating. The Chinese were treated especially bad. And look at the imprisonment of the Japanese during World War 2. But in spite of that we have for the most part come together as a people. We still have our differences and there will always be some problems. But you can find no other country in the world with this many cultures and ethnicities that gets along this well.

I agree with Shane's answer. We do have a relatively short history compared with the rest of the world. Where I live, on the East Coast, especially in the Philadelphia, New York areas, neighborhoods are clearly defined by heritage and ethnicity. Some of those lines are beginning to blur, but for the most part, that is how I grew up. Most big cities do have a China Town, Little Italy, etc. These little sections developed because as immigrants arrived, they stayed close by those who spoke the same language, cooked the same way, etc.

My husband's mom was first generation Italian. Philadelphia is a port city, so she met and married someone from the Navy who was from American Indian heritage. I am Scottish and German. It is funny,my kids are really mutts, but they still tell everyone all of the different nationalities they come from.

When we do leave the country though, you really get a sense of being "American". I always feel more American outside of the US. I think that is because people outside of the US really don't care what your background is. They just see the traits that clearly define us as being American.

Of course they are - "One nation under God".

But a gloriously diverse one.

I find it amazing that being a country founded and formed by immigrants that (at least in the area I live) there is such a strong opposition to "foreigners" and other immigrants coming to this country today. We remember our heritage, but we forget that we are all the same.

I think it really depends on where you live. On my block, the majority of the people are immigrants. There are Mexicans, Koreans, Japanese, Indians, and Vietnamese in addition to the whites, blacks, and latinos that were born here.

Out of many, One!

Your heritage is where your ancestors came from, and for most Americans that is a collection of foreign countries.

For most people in Europe, Africa, China, and South America, recorded history runs out before their first ancestors arrival.

But the prevailing opinion (based on genetic studies and archaeology) is that we're all "Africans" (despite the creation mythologies that have grown up in various places to compensate for the lack of recorded history).

I find it amazing that being a country founded and formed by immigrants that (at least in the area I live) there is such a strong opposition to "foreigners" and other immigrants coming to this country today. We remember our heritage, but we forget that we are all the same.

One of the traits that makes us "all the same" is the desire to not be at the bottom of the heap (social ladder). Because of its history of accepting ("welcoming" is too strong a term) immigrants, the people of the U.S. have long had a substantial group of "newcomers" to look down on/oppress/take advantage of and they have consistently done so. More recently many European countries have experienced large influxes of people from southern countries and from eastern Europe. It would appear that they, too, have been very quick to learn to discriminate/oppress/take advantage of their "recent arrivals".

The original reason was freedom to practice religion.

As far as I know, this is an American myth. The early settlers (especially the "Pilgrims") were paragons of intolerance. Their motive was to practice their own brand of religious intolerance. They were persecuted in Europe, not so much because they wanted to practice their own flavor of religion (although that was a factor) but because they insisted on (loudly) condemning other peoples' religious beliefs. The most astonishing historical result was the incorporation of the "separation" of church and state that was written into the Bill of Rights. The "average" citizen (in those times) would not have approved and, since that time huge numbers of "average" citizens have attempted (not without success) to restrict/remove that separation.

All of our "blue" laws" and our laws against gambling, prostitution, adultery, homosexuality and drugs are based on religious beliefs (more accurately, Judeo-Christian beliefs [and, more accurately still, the beliefs of some self-styled Christians]).

I wouldn't call it patriotism, more like snobbishness. But who visits those resorts except rich snobs? - Malenor

I have never heard such utter nonsense in my life...I guess I have but this is one example .

Eddy had a visit to Mexico booked and he had to cancel it in the end...rich snob our Eddy

Alas, some of that "strong patriotism" USA "Americans" display abroad can be embarrassing.

That's one reason I shy away from resort areas while in Mexico.

Your heritage is where your ancestors came from, and for most Americans that is a collection of foreign countries. My parents have family bibles and letters from when my some of my ancestors first came to this country about 150 years ago. . .other ancestors fought in the War of Independence. There are only a few countries where the majority of the population immigrated within the relatively recent past. For most people in Europe, Africa, China, and South America, recorded history runs out before their first ancestors arrival.

Well, this ended up a very interesting conversation. Thanks everyone!

I have native american in me from my dad´s side,but I am as pale as my mom. haha If you saw my dad you´d be surprized!