Was the US Ever Part of the British Commonwealth?

The question of whether the United States of America (USA) was ever part of the British Commonwealth is a complex one, rooted in historical facts and misunderstandings. To understand this, we need to delve into the colonial history of the American continent and the events that led to the formation of the United States.

No, the US Never Was Part of the British Empire

Firstly, it's important to note that the United States of America did not exist as a nation before the American Revolution, which began in 1775. The 13 colonies that eventually became the USA were indeed British colonies, but they were not part of the British Empire in the sense that they were outside of British control.

The British Empire was composed of territories that were directly governed by the British crown, such as Canada, India, Australia, and much of Africa and Asia. The American colonies, while under British rule, were semi-autonomous and had their own governments and assemblies. The Act of Union in 1707, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain, further exacerbated this distinction, as it only applied to Great Britain and did not include the American colonies.

The Founding of the USA

The foundation of the United States lies in a series of events that culminated in the War of Independence. The 13 colonies, while still part of the British Empire, sought independence and formed a confederation known as the United States of America. The War of Independence, which began in 1775, lasted until 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty officially recognized the United States as an independent nation, no longer under British rule.

Commonwealth Nomenclature

After gaining independence, the United States did not become part of the British Commonwealth, which is a separate entity. The British Commonwealth (now known as the Commonwealth of Nations) is a voluntary association of countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. It was established in the 1920s, well after the United States had become an independent nation.

The Commonwealth, as founded in 1926, included countries that had a historical connection to the British Empire, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and many African and Caribbean nations. However, the United States, with its strong republican principles and its status as a fully independent nation, has never been part of this association.

Separateness of the Republic and Empire

It's also important to note that the concept of a republic, as established by the United States, fundamentally contradicts the idea of being part of a monarchy-based empire. The American founding fathers clearly intended to create a democratic, republican form of government, with the states having considerable autonomy and the federal government exercising only limited powers.

The formation of the United States as a confederation, which later evolved into a federation, marked the beginning of a new nation founded on principles of democracy, individual liberty, and a separation of powers. This was fundamentally different from the structure of the British Empire, which was built on monarchical principles.

Conclusion

In summary, the United States of America was never part of the British Empire and therefore could not have been part of the British Commonwealth, which emerged as a separate entity much later. The American Revolution and the subsequent development of the United States as a independent, democratic nation firmly established its status as a competitor and, later, a leader in the global political landscape, separate from the British Commonwealth.

Keywords: United States, British Empire, American Revolution, Commonwealth, Colonies