Final answer:
The concept of 'being American' has evolved throughout U.S. history, often tied to race and particularly to the category of being White. Over time, the definition has expanded to include more ethnicities, though it has also been influenced by ideologies like Manifest Destiny. In contemporary times, the idea of being American has had to contend with diversity of the nation's populace.
Step-by-step explanation:
The identity of 'being American' or what constitutes the definition of 'American' has shifted and evolved in the United States throughout its history, particularly in relation to the racial category of White (or White Americans). Historically, being American was often equated with being White, as demonstrated by the 1790 Naturalization Act, which defined citizenship in stark racial terms that largely excluded non-White people. Men, in particular, largely agreed on who qualified as a citizen, with the consensus favoring 'free White people' of 'good character.'
As the American identity evolved, the definition expanded to include certain ethnicities not originally considered 'White.'
Furthermore, the concept of 'American' has been influenced by ideas like 'Manifest Destiny', where the belief of bringing Protestant democratic values to the unsettled lands shaped the definition of 'American'.
In more recent times, the notion of 'being American' has been challenged by the nation's increasing diversity, with some elements working to entrench American culture as one of European heritage, such as by making English the official language. Yet, the country has been reminded time and time again that 'to be an American is about something more than what we look like, or what our last names are, or how we worship.'
Learn more about American Identity