试论20世纪之前的美国历史撰述与国家特性

The compilation of American history and national identity before the 20th century

建国之初,美国民众缺乏积淀于悠久历史文化传统中的凝聚力和认同感。为了唤醒美国人的国家意识,历史学家着手创造有用的过去,在不同时期以不同形式都明确表达和界定了独一无二的国家特性。早期史学家通过独立战争界定外部敌人将美利坚民族整合到统一的叙事框架当中,运用美德的、英雄人物的价值观凝聚、展示美利坚的国家特性;班克罗夫特是全美历史的开创者,他将各州的历史纳入全国史的范畴,着重阐释美利坚合众国自由的、进步的故事;随后,专业史学家在科学治史方法的指导下赋予美国国家特性新的内容。

Americans lack the national identity in relation to its long history and cultural tradition soonafter independence. Historians feel obliged to create the useful past by integrating different events from co- lonialization to revolutions and civil wars in order to arouse their national identity. Bancroft first writes A- merican history, focusing on the national categorization rather than individual statehood. Historians follow up by combining the national identity and scientific compilation.