American exceptionalism reconsidered: Anglo-Saxon ethnogenesis in the “universal” nation, 1776–1850

摘要: The history of nativism in the United States has received considerable scholarly attention, yet few systematic attempts to explain it have focused predominantly on psychological or economic causes. This article asserts that such explanations fail address crucial cultural dimension issue, which must be analyzed through prism historical sociology. Specifically, this argues American cannot understood without reference an “American” national ethnic group whose myth–symbol complex had developed prior large-scale immigration mid-nineteenth century. Without understanding social construction, is difficult subsequent defend it. article, therefore, does not seek retrace nativism. Instead, focuses period 1850, when was its infancy. It examines development Anglo-American ethnicity during 1776–1850 and delineate structure. myths symbols, with attendant set life-style images narratives, shown conform more generally models recently presented by theorists nationalism. Finally, argued may exhibited a very different pattern if taken root.