THE ROLE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE FORMATION OF THE US IDEOLOGY

This article addresses the role of Christianity in the formation of the US ideology, particularly its influence on the formation of the concept of American exceptionalism. Although the recent decades have witnessed the increasing attention of American and European scholars to the influence of Christianity on the history of the United States, the body of historical research, and especially the Ukrainian one, still lacks general comprehensive analyses of the role of Christianity in the formation of American ideology and political culture. The article pays a particular attention to the messianic ideas preached by the Puritan leaders in the early history of the New World. These ideas have deeply rooted in the political ideology of the U.S. and still have a strong influence on its development. The article covers the role of Christian rhetoric, which is widely used in the addresses to the nation, and proves its significant role in the shaping of public opinion. Special attention is also paid to the characterizing of Protestant ethic, which basic principles had an impact on the formation of the American value system and influenced the development of the most crucial features of American identity – deep individualism and entrepreneurial mindset.