Americanism (ideology)

Americanism is not merely nationalism and can carry two different meanings: the defining characteristics of the United States, or loyalty to the United States and defense of American political ideals. These ideals include but are not limited to independence, equality before the law, freedom of speech, democracy, and progress.

For example, according to the American Legion, Americanism is an ideology, or a belief in devotion, loyalty, or allegiance to the United States, or respect for its flag, its traditions, its customs, its culture, symbols, its institutions, or its form of government.

Theodore Roosevelt wrote that "Americanism is a question of spirit, conviction, and purpose, not of creed or birthplace."

Though once used in sneering context by British monarchy loyalists in 1779 to describe the American revolutionary spirit, Thomas Jefferson used it with appreciation in a letter in 1808, stating to the recipient ". . . that you ever participated in any plan for a division of the Union, I never for one moment believed. I knew your Americanism too well."

Ideology

According to Wendy L. Wall in her 2008 book Inventing the "American Way": The Politics of Consensus from the New Deal to the Civil Rights Movement, Americanism was presented by a national propaganda campaign to contrast with Communism, and Fascism, during the Cold War, with the benefits of Americanism being promoted through the ideals of freedom and democracy.

Professor of political science at Clemson University C. Bradley Thompson stated that

The meaning of Americanism today, however, is very different. To the extent that the term is even still used, its meaning has been hijacked by both the Left and the Right. The Left most often identifies Americanism with multiculturalism, relativism, environmentalism, regulation, and welfarism — in other words, with progressivism. The Right typically identifies Americanism with Christianity, school prayer, tradition, family values, and community standards—in other words, with social conservatism. None of these values are, however, uniquely American. In fact, in one form or another, they all have a distinctly European provenance that is set in direct opposition to the native meaning of Americanism.

Some organizations have claimed to embrace Americanism, but have taken positions contrary to the general trend of the founding era and its documents codify enforcement of white supremacist ideology: For example, the Ku Klux Klan officially adopted the American Legion's goal of Americanism ensuring (purity of white American) and of American Protestantism.

In a 1916 essay devoted to Americanism, Agnes Repplier emphasized that, "Of all the countries in the world, we and we only have any need to create artificially the patriotism which is the birthright of other nations."