When exactly did the USA become the USA?

Question

Was it when we declared independence in 1776? Or when the Articles of Confederation were ratified? Or when the US Constitution was ratified?

If not until one of the later two, then what were we between 1776 and then?

Not getting a decisive answer, I did my own research.

The Delcaration does mention the united States of America. But the language is such that it is not indicating the establishment of a country, but a group of States united in declaring their independence. At least that's what I saw when I read it.

Actually, the Articles of Confederation begin with Article 1, which states "The Stile of this Confederacy shall be 'The United States of America'." The Articles of Confederation were ratified on March 1, 1781.

So I'm sorry, but I believe all of the answers received so far are incorrect. I believe the correct date where the country of the United States of America began is March 1, 1781.

Not getting a decisive answer, I did my own research.

The Delcaration does mention the united States of America. But the language is such that it is not indicating the establishment of a country, but a group of States united in declaring their independence. At least that's what I saw when I read it.

Actually, the Articles of Confederation begin with Article 1, which states "The Stile of this Confederacy shall be 'The United States of America'." The Articles of Confederation were ratified on March 1, 1781.

So I'm sorry, but I believe all of the answers received so far are incorrect. I believe the correct date where the country of the United States of America began is March 1, 1781.

Answer 1

Good question:

The colonies DECLARED that they were no longer colonies in 1776.

It's a letter to the world stating WHY the states were no longer part of England and their resolve to remain independent.

Here is the last paragraph of the Declaration:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Note the first sentence.

The Preamble to the US Constitution ratified in 1790 reads.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.


In my opinion, from reading both documents is that the Declaration of Independence establishes the Country of the United States of America, and the US Constitution institutes its government.

Other noteworthy documents: Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war between the US and Britain. Jay Treaty (1795) between the US and American Indians East of the Mississippi.

The Articles of Confederation was a troubled document. It was strong enough to get the new union through the war with Britain, but it had some serious deficiencies in practice, particularly in peacetime. About 1786, the Articles started having revisions. This went on for a while. It was a mess. Some of the revisions worked while others made things worse or caused confusion and contradiction. It wasn't working. James Madison said that the Articles were a "sin" of omission.

The United States of America has been a country since July 4, 1776.

Answer 2

The Declaration of Independence was the document that officially severed our colonial ties with Britain, but the order of our nation begins with the U.S. constitution, which begins with "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." When this was ratified, the U.S. became a country.

Answer 3

The US traces its history back to the declaration of independence in 1776. At that point for all intents and purposes the US severed all ties and conections with England and began the process of self rule.
We did not know what we were going to be but we know what we were not going to be.

Answer 4

In name, when the Declaration was written "We the People of the United States of America..."

Answer 5

When the constitution was ratified and the govt was set up. Actually when Washington became president and the Congress was elected.