![]() | Among the Powers of the Earth: The American Revolution and the Making of a New World Empire Subjects: United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775–1783; United States -- Foreign relations -- 1783–1815; United States -- International status -- History; United States -- History -- Revolution 1775–1783 -- Influence; United States -- Territorial expansion; For most Americans, the Revolution's main achievement is summed up by the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Yet far from a straightforward attempt to be free of Old World laws and customs, the American founding was also a bid for inclusion in the community of nations as it existed in 1776. America aspired to diplomatic recognition under international law and the authority to become a colonizing power itself. Gould Eliga H. : Eliga H. Gould is Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire. |
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