Why are Americans in general so conservative as compared to Europe?

Answer 1

Since America as a nation began with a revolution against European colonial rule, America has insisted on doing its own thing. And to some extent, conservatism is a remnant of the Cold War era. Americans are accustomed to equating socialism with communism, and communism was for a long time thought to be the enemy of America. So America winds up with conservatism as an alternative to socialism.

Another Perspective

Conservatism finds it roots much further back. The earliest Americans were Puritans. The earliest life in Massachusetts was ruled by the Puritans. The Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were Calvinists who believed that all mankind was condemned to eternal damnation except for the "Elect", a precious few who were granted salvation. The Elect were bound to oversee the enforcement of God's laws in society. They were uncompromising in their moral and theological principles. Their concern with proper behavior led to a diligent interest in the activity of their neighbors.

Ever since the US Constitution was written and adopted by people who intended to separate church and state, the religious leaders have been trying to regain their stranglehold on America. Religious groups do not try to exert as much pressure to incorporate their religious doctrines into public law in other Western countries. Europe broke away from the pope hundreds of years ago and is more vigilant about religious interference into government.

The Massachusetts Body of Liberties established in 1641 provided, in part, that:

• If any man after legall conviction shall have or worship any other god, but the lord god, he shall be put to death.
• If any person shall Blaspheme the name of god, the father, Sonne or Holie Ghost, with direct, expresse, presumptuous or high handed blasphemie, or shall curse god in the like manner, he shall be put to death.
• If any man lyeth with mankinde as he lyeth with a woeman, both of them have committed abhomination, they both shall surely be put to death.
• If any person committeth Adultery with a maried or espoused wife, the Adulterer and Adulteresse shall surely be put to death.

You can read the entire 1641 legal code at the link provided below.