Are you referring to colonial Americans? Because Americans have pretty much taken pride in their greater freedom from the moment of the founding of the country.

Thomas Jefferson, writing from Paris in 1785:

"I sincerely wish you may find it convenient to come here... It will make you adore your own country, its soil, its climate, its equality, liberty, laws, people, and manners. My God, how little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy."