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The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as '''the United States''', '''the USA''', '''the US''', or simply as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states and the federal District of Columbia. Its origins lie in the [[British Empire]]: it was founded on July 4, [[1776]] with the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]], and its independence from Britain was formally recognized in 1783, following the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]]. The US is currently the world's sole [[superpower]]; it has the world's largest economy, and is recognized as having the world's most powerful military.

The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as '''the United States''', '''the USA''', '''the US''', or lazily as '''America''') is a North American nation that consists of a federal union of fifty individual states and the federal District of Columbia. Its origins lie in the [[British Empire]]: it was founded on July 4, [[1776]] with the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]], and its independence from Britain was formally recognized in 1783, following the [[American Revolutionary War|War of Independence]]. The US is currently the world's sole [[superpower]]; it has the world's largest economy, and is recognized as having the world's most powerful military.

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area. It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 300 million people.  

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km²), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area. It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 300 million people.  

American military, economic, cultural, and political influence increased through the 19th and 20th centuries. Since the mid-20th century, the United States has become a dominant global influence in contemporary economic, political, military, scientific, technological and cultural matters. With the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] at the end of the [[Cold War]], the nation emerged as the world's sole remaining superpower, greatly influencing world affairs, as it continues to do today.

The United States' military, economic, cultural, and political influence increased through the 19th and 20th centuries. Since the mid-20th century, the United States has become a dominant global influence in contemporary economic, political, military, scientific, technological and cultural matters. With the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] at the end of the [[Cold War]], the nation emerged as the world's sole remaining superpower, greatly influencing world affairs, as it continues to do today.

==Background - GOD,  The Constitution,  and Political Parties==

==Background - GOD,  The Constitution,  and Political Parties==

Although officially a [[Republic]],  since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Those two major political parties are the [[Democrat Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

Although officially a [[Republic]],  since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Those two major political parties are the [[Democrat Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

In American political life.  The relationship between GOD and GOVERNMENT is the prime characteristic differentiating the various political parties.

In The United States' political life, the relationship between GOD and GOVERNMENT is the prime characteristic differentiating the various political parties.

    

    

The [[Declaration of Independence]] acknowledges the existence of a GOD when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were more Unitarianism / Christian.   

The [[Declaration of Independence]] supposes the existence of a GOD when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  That statement was inserted at the request of [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious beliefs were more Unitarianism / Christian.   

It is established fact that most early Americans came there for Religious Freedom.  The American [[Founding Fathers]] called themselves Christians, and acted as though the United States was founded upon the principles and ideals of Christianity.   

It is established fact that most early The United Statesians came there for Religious Freedom. It is also an established fact that people did live here before North America was "discovered." The United States'[[Founding Fathers]] called themselves Christians, and acted as though the United States was founded upon the principles and ideals of Christianity.   

Despite their own beliefs however,  the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] a statement that the government cannot interfere in the conduct of religious groups, and grants "Freedom of Religion" for all faiths.  That statement is often referred to as the "Free Exercise Clause."

Despite their own beliefs however,  the [[Founding Fathers]] specifically placed into the [[First Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]] a statement that the government cannot interfere in the conduct of religious groups, and grants "Freedom of Religion" for all faiths.  That statement is often referred to as the "Free Exercise Clause."

The various differences and contradictions between the founding documents such as the "[[Declaration of Independence]]", the "[[U.S. Constitution]]", the "[[Federalist Papers]]", and the many personal papers of the [[Founding Fathers]] has not helped to resolve the issue.

The various differences and contradictions between the founding documents such as the "[[Declaration of Independence]]", the "[[U.S. Constitution]]", the "[[Federalist Papers]]", and the many personal papers of the [[Founding Fathers]] has not helped to resolve the issue.

This is important to understand, as in recent decades,  the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] has re-interpreted this clause to represent an actual, "physical separation" of Religion from Government.  This "separation of Church and State" interpretation has become a continuing source of conflict in American society.  

This is important to understand, as in recent decades,  the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] has re-interpreted this clause to represent an actual, "physical separation" of Religion from Government.  This "separation of Church and State" interpretation has become a continuing source of conflict in United States' society.  

In America today, what political party one belongs to is often determined by their personal view of the relationship between "GOD and GOVERNMENT." All other lesser social issues, whether they be Abortion, Euthanasia, Freedom of Speech, Cloning, etc. are all subservient in one way or another to an individuals' view of "GOD and GOVERNMENT."

In The United States today, what political party one belongs to is sometimes determined by their personal view of the relationship between "God and government." To this group of people, all other social issues, whether they be abortion, euthanasia, freedom of speech, cloning, etc. are all subservient in one way or another to an individuals' view of "God and government."  Another way to gauge one's political beliefs is by considering the relationship between "freedom and government."

The [[Republican Party]] does not believe in a "physical separation" between Church and State.  The [[Democrat Party]] firmly believes in that "physical separation."

The [[Republican Party]] does not believe in a "physical separation" between Church and State.  The [[Democrat Party]] firmly believes in that "physical separation."

It is the pre-imminent importance of this issue in American Life and Culture that causes this discussion to have so prominent a place on the main page of this encyclopedia's "United States of America" entry.

It is the pre-imminent importance of this issue in United States' Life and Culture that causes this discussion to have so prominent a place on the main page of this encyclopedia's "United States of America" entry.

==History and geography==

==History and geography==

The 50th and so far final state, [[Hawaii]], was also admitted in 1959, 67 years after the DOLE corporation, sugar producers, and the US Marine Corps deposed the last native [[queen]] of the archipelago and 62 years after annexation had become politically feasible as a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], in which the United States also annexed [[Puerto Rico]], [[Guam]] and [[Wake Island]].  The last three islands are not states, although [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held non-binding [[referenda]] to express its desired status within the United States.

The 50th and so far final state, [[Hawaii]], was also admitted in 1959, 67 years after the DOLE corporation, sugar producers, and the US Marine Corps deposed the last native [[queen]] of the archipelago and 62 years after annexation had become politically feasible as a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], in which the United States also annexed [[Puerto Rico]], [[Guam]] and [[Wake Island]].  The last three islands are not states, although [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held non-binding [[referenda]] to express its desired status within the United States.

The United States has occasionally relinquished territory.  The most significant example of this was certainly the granting of independence in 1946 to the [[Philippines]] as part of the general [[decolonization]] of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] following [[World War II]].  Under both [[autocratic]] and [[democratic]] governments, the Philippines have subsequently remained a strong American ally, and today contribute more troops to the U. S. [[military]] than some states.  Other Pacific territories such as the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] and [[Palau]] have also become independent in the postwar era with little objection from opinion leaders on the mainland.  More controversial was the 1977 agreement between President [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[General]] [[Omar Torrijos]] to return the [[Panama Canal Zone]], which had been part of the United States since 1914, to [[Panama]] in the year 2000.  Ultimately the United States lived up to this agreement despite the worst fears of both [[liberals]] (who decried [[Operation Just Cause]], the 1989 invasion of Panama) and [[conservatives]] (who feared the management of the [[Panama Canal]] by [[Chinese]] interests).

The United States has occasionally relinquished territory.  The most significant example of this was certainly the granting of independence in 1946 to the [[Philippines]] as part of the general [[decolonization]] of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] following [[World War II]].  Under both [[autocratic]] and [[democratic]] governments, the Philippines have subsequently remained a strong United Statesian ally, and today contribute more troops to the U. S. [[military]] than some states.  Other Pacific territories such as the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] and [[Palau]] have also become independent in the postwar era with little objection from opinion leaders on the mainland.  More controversial was the 1977 agreement between President [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[General]] [[Omar Torrijos]] to return the [[Panama Canal Zone]], which had been part of the United States since 1914, to [[Panama]] in the year 2000.  Ultimately the United States lived up to this agreement despite the worst fears of both [[liberals]] (who decried [[Operation Just Cause]], the 1989 invasion of Panama) and [[conservatives]] (who feared the management of the [[Panama Canal]] by [[Chinese]] interests).

The USA's has been criticized for holding back  its [[United Nations]] dues (currently, even after the Helms-Biden amendment, the United States has withheld 41%, or $1.246 billion dollars, <ref>http://www.un.org/ga/president/55/speech/una_usa.htm</ref>) as the US has sought reforms within the international organization.

The USA's has been criticized for holding back  its [[United Nations]] dues (currently, even after the Helms-Biden amendment, the United States has withheld 41%, or $1.246 billion dollars, <ref>http://www.un.org/ga/president/55/speech/una_usa.htm</ref>) as the US has sought reforms within the international organization.