IntroductionThe designation of the United States of America as a Christian nation, founded on Christian beliefs and principles, has remained controversial throughout history. Despite the endless debate between advocates on both sides, Christianity's impact on American culture, government, and national prosperity is unmistakable. This article aims to explore the foundations of early American history (before 1877) and reveal the intrinsic importance of Christianity, while showing the fundamental need to interpret American history through the lens of Christianity. This examination attempts to provide necessary context to American history by identifying the integral values ​​that constitute the nation's foundation, rather than advocating the Christian belief system or supporting an organized religious system. A History of Persecution America's story actually begins in Europe. , during a time of political tyranny and religious persecution, under an oppressive monarchy. Religious persecution began in the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547), when the king directed the founding of a national church and declared himself the presiding officer. Subsequently (1558-1603), King Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth firmly established the “Church of England,” ensuring the conformity of religious inquiry to the established doctrines of the Anglican Church. In the early 1600s, as the Bible became widely available to the average citizen, a public outcry called for religious reform and a return to less structured forms of worship. One group, labeled "Separatists", believed that the Church of England was unreformable and aimed to establish new congregations, basing worship and church organization on biblical documents... middle of paper... 4 . http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/370977/Mayflower-Compact.“The Mayflower Compact.” UShistory.org. Accessed May 14, 2014. http://www.ushistory.org/documents/mayflower.htm.“Religion and the Founding of the American Republic.” Library of Congress. Accessed May 14, 2014. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html.Thorpe, Francis Newton, and the Constitution of the United States. The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the State, Territories, and Colonies now or formerly forming the United States of America (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1909). Walton, R. “Pilgrim History.” Richmond family ancestry. Accessed May 14, 2014. http://www.richmondancestry.org/pilgrim.shtml.“Who were the pilgrims?” Plimoth Plantation. Accessed May 14, 2014. http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/who-were-pilgrims.