What is the United States of America? How do you define it? And who are Americans? What makes one an American?

Question

This is not a light question to be answered by jingoists. Please put some thought into your answers.

Quite a range of answers from "The United States of America is the 50 states combined as one whole under the U.S. Constitution" to "United States isn't a country"... From "To me it seems as if once you set foot on American soil you are American" to "Americans are people born in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
You have to born and raised in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!!!!!"

I think only a few: like kepjr, urban princess and thewanderer got the point.

Rockandroll, from your answers and comments you appear to be one ignorant, uneducated and stupid little man. Well the world needs little men like you too.

Answer 1

United States isn't a country. It's a place where people from all over the world come to better their lives and help their family.

Answer 2

The United States of America is a simple collection of States that are govern as a whole. It is defined by the Constitution and how people perceive it's meaning. Americans, in reality, are all those that live in the Western Hemisphere, even though, the Americas are named after Amerigo Vespucci. So, why are those from the United States called Americans? I guess because the United States became so powerful, the country has become synonymous with America. What makes one an American? That is a question that is hard to answer. Maybe it is just an idea. How does one become an American? Maybe it is the same reasoning. I think it is an answer that has to come from the heart.

To sum up - It is an idea that has been playing out since the Revolution.

Answer 3

1 & 2. The United States of America is the 50 states combined as one whole under the U.S. Constitution.

3. & 4. Americans are citizens of the United States of America.

Answer 4

The United States of America is like the college student who leaves home for the first time and loses all of it's morals, beliefs, and it's foundation. To me it seems as if once you set foot on American soil you are American, being born here doesn't matter anymore. No one knows that your not an American until you tell them so...

Answer 5

The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a country on the North America continent with Canada on the North and Mexico on the South. The greatest country on the face of this planet. Americans are people born in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
You have to born and raised in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!!!!!

Answer 6

Jingoists ? Whhooooeeee ! Such a big word for someone so unlettered.
USA was founded on the principle of free speech and worship of religion. I am an American. Many of my relatives died in WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Afgahnistan, Iraq to keep it the greatest, free country in the world and always will be.

Answer 7

"American" has been redefined these past six years.

It appears those who were once considered 'American' would now be easily defined as Subjects of the Realm, since we are neither a republic nor a democracy under imperial rule.

Refer to a world atlas re: the United States of America.

Answer 8

Find something called 'a map of the world', or 'atlas'. In it you will find the current geographical boundaries of the 50 US states, and territories. 'americans' are US citizens. Pretty straightforward...

Answer 9

the country my father and many fought and died for in WW11,, for our freedom against the Fascism of Hitler,, Americans are patriots,, most do not support the warmongers that squander the peace policies and good will in the world, that have taken so long to work toward,,, an American will stand up against a president they do not believe in,,,,,,,,,,

Answer 10

It Is Suppose To Be A Nice Place To Live In.