According to E. Digby Baltzell, what term was used to describe the White Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture in America?

The term "WASP" stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant and is used to describe a specific cultural group in America that historically held significant social, political, and economic power. E. Digby Baltzell, a prominent sociologist, utilized this term to illustrate the dominant cultural identity that shaped American institutions and values, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

WASPs are characterized by their Anglo-Saxon heritage and Protestant faith, which have heavily influenced American society. The concept encompasses not only ethnic and religious backgrounds but also a set of social norms, behaviors, and attitudes that have been associated with this group. The use of the acronym highlights how this demographic has historically been represented in debates about class, privilege, and ethnicity in the United States.

In contrast, "Yankee Doodle" refers to a song associated with the American Revolution, "Puritan" pertains to a specific religious group from the 17th century, and "Founding Father" denotes the key figures involved in the establishment of the United States, none of which encapsulate the broader cultural identity represented by WASPs. Thus, the term effectively summarizes a critical aspect of American cultural and historical discourse that Baltzell sought to analyze.