Answer:
When historian Richard White writes, "Americans are a nation born of an idea," he is emphasizing the idea that the United States is a nation founded not on ethnic or cultural identity, but on a set of shared political and social ideals.
The idea that White is referring to is the concept of liberal democracy, which holds that all individuals are created equal and have certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This idea is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
In this sense, the United States is not a nation defined by a common language, religion, or ethnicity, but rather by a shared commitment to these ideals. This idea of American exceptionalism - the notion that the United States is a unique and special nation with a special mission to promote freedom and democracy around the world - is deeply ingrained in American culture and politics.
By emphasizing the idea that Americans are a nation born of an idea, White is pointing to the central importance of these values in shaping American identity and shaping the country's trajectory over the course of its history.
Step-by-step explanation: