Is the United States, the oldest nation?

Question

Our government has existed since 1776 with our constitution being formally recognised shortly after.

It's obvious we aren't the oldest country because the Old World has much older countries such as England and China. But their governments have changed many times, while ours has not changed since its inception.

Save for the Civil War, we haven't had a major revolt or a change in government. Does this make our nation the oldest because of the age of our government?

At the same time our nation was founded, other governments were being toppled and rebuilt. The French Revolution destroying the French monarchy happened later (they went back to a monarchy after the revolution.) Germany and Italy weren't even united until the late 19th century. China and Russia had communist revolutions in the early 20th century, destroying their former monarchies. Japan transformed from a feudal system to a dictatorship.

While all this was going on, the United States was still intact.

I'm not trying to necessarily sing the praises of the United States but this was a question I've always wondered about. I guess it's kind of difficult to determine the oldest government based on terminology but I'm interested to hear some viewpoints about this topic.

Maybe I should have phrased this question asking if the United States is the oldest government.

Of course, other countries and peoples have existed before the United States but of all the governments in the world, which one is the oldest, surviving in its original form.

Answer 1

What about Republic of San Marino?

"According to tradition, San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still existing: it was founded in 301 A.D. by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian. San Marino has the oldest written constitution still in effect, dating back to 1600"

Answer 2

The British burned down the white house 6 times. So how intact was it?

The Chinese have had stable government for thousands of years.

I have no idea why yanks have the idea that the US (America is two continents, not a country) is so great. In this case, you clearly have not much concept of the outside world or its past. Even Turkey has a longer stable govt!

Like the rest of the world, we are all pissed about Yankee arrogance.

Answer 3

Your question is a little confusing, so I thought I'd put this in the mix of answers.

Birthplace of Democracy.

Between 508 - 338 B.C. Athens formed a government called demokratia.
It was ruled by the people. Every ten days the male citizens met in an assembly called the ecclesia. Each man who wished to could speak or propose laws. The men voted to determine the final laws.

Answer 4

THe USA didn't become a nation until the 18th century which is quite recent in terms of world history. There are many states which go back further than that such as Thailand and Sweden.

Answer 5

That's pretty ridiculous. America along with Australia are actually some of the newest nations, not oldest.

Even if we take your strange assumption that major reforms invalidate candidates from being 'oldest', the English legal constitution has remained essentially unchanged since Parliament was established in 1707.

Answer 6

Both Neo-Cons and Progressives on both sides think that their way is the only way and you should be forced to submit. Thereforee we get a forced purchase of private insurance Bill from Obama on the left and Romney on the right. The left had JFK, LBJ, FDR and Wilson leading us into conflicts. The right had the neo-con Bush's.

Answer 7

Hi Justin,

The answers you've received thus far are incorrect. The American Constitution of 1787 is the oldest, living, written Constitution on the face of the Earth.

I emphasize the words "Living" and "Written," as there are older written constitutions which are no longer living, and older living constitutions (Great Britain) which are not written.

But for living, written Constitutions -- the USA has the record.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 8

No. Our government is constantly changing. So are most governments. I think the english government in a form not too different from current has been around longer than ours, as one example.

Answer 9

the united states is considered the oldest democracy -- even though we are no longer a democracy. many countries (most of the western world) have patterned their government after the way ours used to be. thomas jefferson was even more instrumental in establishing the french democracy than ours -- he was kind of considered radical by most americans and he was out of town in france when they drafted and signed the constitution. i think that is the answer were looking for?

Answer 10

well when you put it that way...its an interesting way to put it! but eventually since we are technically the youngest country we'll eventually follow course and have our revolt within time as well!