Cultures and Commons

For most of the eighteenth century, the majority of colonial Americans considered themselves English and Virginians or Marylanders or Pennsylvanians or New Englanders first, and Americans second, if such a national identity crossed their minds at all. More often than not, their perspectives matched those of British subjects on the other side of teh Atlantic. Both groups struggled wtih issues of slavery, religion and hierarchical social structure. They also shared cultural standards such as language, manners, and material expectations with such strength that it took the American Revolution to divide them.