The Changing American Character From 1588-1700.

"Some historians have seen the first hundred years of the colonial experience mainly as preparation for the last fifty" (White, 209). This quote from Our Colonial Heritage displays the authors viewpoint on the formation of the American identity. In the first hundred years of this country the settlers who arrived were British, but 100 years later, by the Queen Anne's war, they had become American. While there were many changes that the settlers went through to form …

…Atlantic ocean, they evolved from being simply English settlers, and became Americans. While England would struggle to keep a firm grip on the colonies, it was only natural that they would eventually create their own identity, and these first 100 years were the perfect stage for this. Through separating by distinct cultural differences, a unique government, and new religions preaching hard work, the settlers created this identity which would begin the complete separation from British roots.