Final answer:
Until the 20th century, Americans typically saw themselves as pioneers advancing democracy and progress. The turn of the century brought a rise in consumer culture, influencing the American identity toward modernist values and urban life. Over time, global events and cultural shifts have continuously redefined the national identity, emphasizing diversity and multiculturalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Until well into the 20th century, Americans typically appeared in the national imagination as embodied by figures such as Columbia in John Gast's American Progress, which represented the spirit of democracy and progress moving westward. This image of America as a land of opportunity, expansion, and democratic values was a powerful part of the national identity narrative. Moreover, consumer culture at the turn of the century began altering the perception of what it meant to be 'American.' This new culture placed emphasis on economic prosperity, technological innovation, and the potential for personal achievement, fostering an image of an urban nation characterized by modernist values and a departure from the small-town, traditionalist sensibilities.
In the eyes of Americans following the Revolutionary War, images from popular imagery played a significant role in the construction of a national identity that differentiated from the British and European cultures. Such images contributed to the development of a unique American identity, grounded in the emerging consumer culture and the ethos of individualism.
Throughout the decades, perspectives on the American image shifted, particularly in response to events like World War I and the Cold War. The nation's participation in these global events and the subsequent cultural changes, including the rise of multicultural sensibilities and the embrace of diversity, have continually redefined the American identity from both foreign and domestic viewpoints.