Chapters 13-15, America's Patron Saint, Americanization of the English Language, The Naming of North America Summary and Analysis

Americans were noted early on for their disposition to form vast networks of civic organizations. Many of these organizations were influenced by Native American culture, which helped to form the American identity. One of the first such societies were Tammany societies named after the Chief of the Lenni-Lenape who was said to have greeted William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, when he came to the United States. During the 18th century, Tammany became the subject of many legends and apocryphal stories. None of the European settlers identified as Americans at the time, and often had 'patron saints' of their home nations, Christian saints tied to European nationalities. Some Americans, initially to mock them...