This patriotic flag, designed during the dawn of the revolution in 1775, is known as the Gadsden flag. Adopted by the early Continental Marines, it is an allusion to Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" cartoon. It depicts America unified as one snake, poised to strike, and determined to fight off anyone who encroaches on it. This flag relects the early feelings of nationalism and fighting spirit at the very beginning of an American national identity
This quintessential American revolution painting shows George Washington crossing the Delaware river in 1776 to ambush and defeat the British at Trenton. It was painted in 1851 by Emanuel Leutze. It depicts hardworking, valiant American soldiers working hard for their country. This reflects the attitude of pride and courage, the never surrender aspect of American identity by depicting Washington going against all odds to pull off a victory against the oppressor.
The United States Constitution is the foundation of the American Identity. Since its inception in 1789, it has defined American identity and the fundamentals of what it means to be an American. It unites all people under the same rights and laws, and dictates how the government operates.
This representation of Andrew Jackson rallying troops at the battle of New Orleans in 1815 is indicative of the emerging American Identity at the time. It was painted by Edward Percy Moran in 1910. Bodies of the enemy lie scattered on the ground, as American soldiers fight bravely without hesitance, again showing the "don't tread on me" mentality. Andrew Jackson, the honored war hero, stands unafraid in the front of the action, urging his troops on, dominant over the scene. Soldiers of all different classes, both black and white, fight together, united. American identity at this time consisted of national pride, unity, and independence.
This pamphlet from the time of the California gold rush shows the early American desire to expand and explore the new frontier. It's representative of the concept of being able to make a new, prosperous life in a free land, a idea embedded deep in the Identity of America. It also embodies the idea of honest, hard, physical work that America is built on.