The Liberty Hawk

In Part 1 of this series, I dissected the popular idea of nationalism into three chief aspects: nationism, tribalism, and patriotism. I explained my belief that we can better understand the process that led to the rise of nations as nationism. I allowed that in Europe and elsewhere, this process mostly led to true nationalism, which I defined as a regressive manifestation of tribalism.   

My conclusion on nationism and nationalism was that they were linked but distinct ideas. One is simply a process that led to the rise of nations. The other is an ideology that sought to place the old mantle of absolute power and the divine right of kings upon the geopolitical realities of language, culture, and religion.  

In this article, we’ll discuss what makes the United States different when considering the rise of nations in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. We will discuss why the United States stands out as a wholly unique and exceptional endeavor.   

Simply stated, the United States is distinct because the founding generation predicated the new nation upon ideals. Also, its sense of self as a nation was a reality thrust upon it by circumstances beyond control.  

There was no real sense of American identity among the colonists until the shots rang out at Lexington and Concorde. Even with war at their doorstep, the 2nd Continental Congress had no initial desire to break away from Great Britain. Much of the colonial rhetoric leading up to the American Revolution was predicated upon their perceived rights as Englishmen. Any identity that existed beyond that lay in the markedly distinct cultures, prominent religions, and ethnic backgrounds of each colony  

Even in declaring their independence, the document penned by Thomas Jefferson spoke in a manner unique for the creation of a new nation. He wrote of respecting the opinions of mankind. He asserted a self-evident truth that all men have unalienable rights. He said governments are instituted based on principles. He spoke of the colonist’s identity as a free people. He even mentioned the failure of the common kindred between the American Colonies and their British brethren to overcome their difference in principles.  

The United States waged war against the British more as an alliance of sovereign states than as a unified nation. George Washington and his Continental Army were the only true unifying institution during the war. The Continental Congress was infamous for its ineptness. The delegates relied largely on their state governments for support and guidance. State militias often only mustered when British forces entered their own states and remained mostly free from Washington’s direct control.  

Even after victory against the British, the unifying ordeal failed to excite centralizing passions. The Articles of Confederation basically maintained the alliance of sovereign states. With no enemy to force mutual efforts, the young nation frankly operated as thirteen independent nations.  

Only when faced with gross failure to govern did the states agree to convene delegates and reform the Articles of Confederation. Only in closed debate did the delegates proceed beyond their mandate and craft a document that would create an entirely new form of government.  

And ratification of the Constitution was no easy thing. A vigorous debate ensued. For a time, ratification was far from a sure thing. Only by nature of arguments upon principles, republican ideals, and civic virtue were the states convinced to surrender much of their autonomy and sovereignty to unite under the US Constitution.  

Clearly, there is something unique, distinct, and exceptional about the founding of the American nation. Its history stands apart from the creation of other early-modern nations. So distinct and so exceptional that we need not muddy the idea of American Patriotism by connecting it with European Nationalism.  

In the next article, I will begin to establish why we should regard patriotism and nationalism as distinct and separate ideas. 

Justin Stapley is the owner and editor of The Liberty Hawk. As a political writer, his principles and ideas are grounded in the ideas of ordered liberty as expressed in the traditions of classical liberalism, federalism, and modern conservatism. You can follow him on Facebook and on Twitter.

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Justin Stapley

Justin Stapley is the owner and editor of The Liberty Hawk and the voice of the Self-Evident Podcast. His principles and beliefs are grounded in the idea of ordered liberty as expressed in the traditions of classical liberalism, federalism, and modern conservatism.

Latest posts by Justin Stapley (see all)

• The Liberty Hawk is Now on Medium - December 9, 2020
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• The Last Full Measure of Devotion - August 13, 2020