American History

Americanization has been part of American history from the early approaches applied to the natives of America in helping them to embrace the new culture from the immigrants from Europe. Thereafter, the term was used in reference to approaches employed in early 20th century to help immigrants become part of American culture through acquisition of citizenship (King, 2002). Today, the term has continues application in reference to the approaches applied in present day to help other people adopt American character in ideals, beliefs, customs, methods of conducting business, politics and social way of life. This forms the aspects that have continued to identify American from other people in the world (Lemay, Barkan, 1999). The measures were and continues to be employed to help people embrace the American values and share part of American dream by feeling comfortable to live and work in America.

Americanization
The Americanization movement has not come without challenges on its way. In the period following the First World War, the movement was seen as one that promoted the embracing of a particular version of Americanization as opposed the open system which embraced national and ethnic diversity that existed at that time (King, 2002). In this case, the movement was seen as one that had a preference to Anglo centric conceptualization of America. However, it remained consistent with the intentions of the Anglo-Saxon organizers of the Americanization. This concept was by no means inclusive to all members of the society as it excluded the African Americans, Chinese, Japanese Americans and some whites who were not taken as to have a significant role in the politics of the time (Duncan, 2010). In part of its lack to ensure freedom, the movement required people who wanted to become a part of American culture to set themselves apart from their ethnic groups and have a single allegiance to a national identity. The impact of this approach was that, it downgraded the role of group loyalties through its definition of individual commitment to United States which had to rise above the aggregate identities to the ethnic affiliation of a person (King, 2002). The aspect of immigrants living in cultural groupings was highly discouraged to live in ethnic seclusions which could be seen as foreign colonies other than assimilating themselves with the bigger national family.

However, the reference of Americanization has in some instances created mixed reactions to those people in other nations who have some pessimistic thoughts about America. To some the ideology seems to put America on a higher ground by portrays its superiority and a show of loyalty to America. To some African Americans, the process seemed to mean that they required to be put through a process that would make them equal to other Americans since they lacked skills and adequate knowledge in comparison to other Americans.

Greater effect of Americanization was achieved through civic education, programs and official state ceremonies which were intended to make the values of ethnic groups less legitimate in comparison to values of nationhood (King, 2002). The ideal of Americanization was well elaborated during the Americanization of Pennsylvania where the intention was to make America be a state that constituted of one language, one flag, for natives born in America or foreign immigrants who dwell in it (Adalberto, 2008). The immigrants continue to be required to unequivocally embrace the American values.
The success of America has for long been attributed to the warm welcome it gives to immigrants as well as the freedom given to and individual person to peruse his or her own dream. The great number of citizens that were naturalized into the American culture through acquisition of American citizenship has had a significant role in making America stand out as a welcoming nation. The oath of allegiance taken by the people desiring to become American citizens had an assumption that one was ready of taking a national burden by becoming part of the bigger American society (Duncan, 2010). The present day America has been shaped by measures that have helped immigrants to nation to become united, think and work together as one big family guided by similar virtues and loyalties to one nation.

American identity
The approaches of Americanization were part of a broader evolution to formation of American identity. In this basis, the distinction between the Americans who were descendants form early European settlers and the immigrants was formed. The values of these early settlers played a distinctive role in formation of American identity and those of new immigrants who brought with them new values and customs were absorbed and faded into a more dominant identity of socials culture (King, 2002). The immigrants conform to this culture which was and still remains part of their expectation.

The founders of America among them George Washington ad Thomas Jefferson helped to create a foundation upon which the American identity continues to blossom. American society has been known to be tolerant to racial, ethnic and religious disparity of persons under common belief of personal freedom (King, 2002). The identity has become one of the best examples of pluralism which has a lot of respect to the freedom bestowed to an individual through commitment to civic ideals and virtues.

The omission of other groupings in the early Americanization might have helped a lot to shape the identity of the nation. Such approach must have led to the adoption of English as a national language though there were other options that existed has helped the nation have a strong stand in relations to other countries (King, 2002). English language has remained as a significant language throughout the world in business and many other operations.

Another most significant symbol that plays a big role in identity of America in the global arena is the national flag. Even American citizens who have moved to other countries in form of work and foreign missions have never shied away to portray their American identity through their display of American flag (Adalberto, 2008). Americans has therefore remained strongly held together by this flag which is a symbol of a single nation-hood.

We cannot ignore the role that has been played by America as leader in global stage of economic, social and political standing. In the economic field, American companies have continued to spread their base throughout the world caries with them strong brands that identify them far and wide. Companies like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi have by far held the American flag high in the world economic market.

Summary
The act of Americanization traverses beyond the act of adopting the American citizenship. It entails bringing up of the immigrant to the economic, social and moral standards of American way of life. The identity of Americanism is constituted on the values of personal freedom, national flag, American culture and belief. From a global stand, America is identified with various factors depending on the area and perception of individual person. All in all Americanization has achieved its role of uniting a nation full of religious, cultural and ethnic diversity through formation of an embodying identity.