As the United States emerged as a new nation, writers began to explore what it meant to be American and how American culture and values differed from those of Europe. This theme is evident in many literary works of the period, including:
- Phillis Wheatley's poetry: Wheatley, an enslaved African American woman, used her poetry to express her pride in her American identity and to challenge the institution of slavery.
- Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence: Jefferson's document, which proclaimed the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," laid the foundation for the idea of a distinctly American identity based on individual freedom and equality.
- Washington Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.: Irving's collection of stories and essays celebrated the unique character of American landscapes, customs, and traditions.
- James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans: Cooper's novel portrayed the conflict between European settlers and Native Americans as a clash of civilizations, highlighting the challenges of forging a new identity in a land with a complex and contested history.