In 1782, J. Hector St. John de Cr vecoeur wrote, "What then, is the American, this new man? He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced." In casting aside their European mores, these pioneers, de Cr vecoeur implied, were the very embodiment of a new culture, society, economy, and political system. But to what extent did manliness shape early America's...