Different states in the early 1800s might be like different European countries are today. But, today, states have a lot less power, and people generally think of themselves as American first.
In addition, European countries speak different languages. That severely limits the common ground you share with neighbouring countries.
Yeah, European countries have histories going back a thousand years or more. While there’s going to be some shared history in border regions (often they swapped back and forth between countries depending on who was strong and who was weak), there’s a lot of differences between them that are pretty deep seated.
If those countries shared a common language the cultures would tend to blend over time. When they speak different languages that process is a lot slower.
IMO the differences between major US cities are smaller than the differences between any given city and the rural areas surrounding that city.
Exactly, different states still have their country as common ground. Most Europeans identify with their nationality first, and as a European second.
Yeah I don’t know any Americans that don’t do this. Like I get it, I don’t like us either, but going from Colorado to Texas is more jarring to me than going from France to Germany.
People in North America identified with their colony/state first, and the United States second back in the 1700s. Give it time…