Why do we in America refer to ourselves as being White instead of European? I suspect it has much to do with the historical reality on the ground. The colonists came here from various parts of Europe and all found themselves facing a large and alien indigenous population. Hostilities frequently broke out, and tensions where always high. When faced with an out group like this, the differences between English, French, and Dutch colonists seem much smaller. The former are pagans of a different race, the latter Christians with similar appearances. This understanding of us vs them was codified in the declaration of independence where among the list of grievances against King George the Third is:
He has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an indistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes, and Conditions.
It was made further plain in the Immigration Act of 1790 which states:
That any alien, being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof…
Clearly then, by the time of the American revolution, the European diaspora in America had formed a
new nation.
To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
