Americanism was the belief that doctrine and discipline should be modified due to America's unique circumstances as a representative democracy that was largely Protestant.  The bishops of the time talked Rome out this condemnation, because they were doing no such thing, at least not openly.  Of course, Vatican II turned the view that democracy should not be accommodated on its head, although there is still more to go, especially on the abortion issue.  In America, abortion is protected under privacy, the right to act without the interference of the majority or those who would motivate them (like the Church).  There is no abortion law, unlike Europe where a positive law regulates how it can and cannot occur.