Topic: Defining America

Order Description Why did we keep the name America? How do we continue to have the audacity to continue this name? Find 3 Americans and ask them to give you a definition of America Historically, the name America owes its origin to the 1507 works of both Martin Waldseemuller and Mathias Ringman entitled “Introduction to Cosmography”. Apparently, the name is attributed to Amerigo Vespucci; one of the explorers who first identified the “New World”. Initially, the name America was used to refer to both North American and South American continents, but since 19th century, it has been used to refer primarily to the “United States of America” (Archiving Early America). America as a country appreciates its historical values. Ringman and Waldseemuller appreciated the contribution of Vespucci in recognizing America as a continent, not simply as a route to Asia as did Christopher Columbus. They identified the importance of the New World in terms of self-reinvention, westward expansion, and most importantly, manifest destiny; values that still bind the American national psyche. The name ‘America’ gives the country its root historically. A writer and a cartographer saw the purpose of the “New World” in ways that have been present ever since (Archiving Early America). We still keep the name and continue to use it because America is a land full of purpose, where individuals exploit their potentials to realize their dreams, where constitutional government and self-governance thrive, and liberty in all aspects held in highest regard. It is a free purposeful world. Introduction to Cosmography first put America on the global map; identifying it not only as a “New World”, but also as a continent that was just about to evolve and revolutionize the European civilization. As such, changing the name would mean defacing the face of America from the global map just as it would mean trying to alter the historical significance of the “New World” so much, that it would definitely erode our most potent national values (Archiving Early America). This is indeed the view held by most Americans, as I found out from the three Americans that I interviewed. According to two of them, America is a “New World” of opportunities, at least for those who seek them. However, one individual felt that such opportunities are only for a reserved group. Work cited Archiving Early America. “How America Got its Name”. 2015. 29/8/2015 <http://www.earlyamerica.com/bookmarks/america-got-name/>