American Independence: How the Colonies Really Defeated Britain

In 1776, a war that would determine the fate of both the world’s greatest power, Britain, and the newly independent United States began across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean. How could the American colonists possibly win what seemed like such a hopeless fight? While historians often cite military factors and strategic choices, underlying these were the ‘geopolitical blessings’ bestowed by nature and the deep ‘political anguish’ of the independence movement.

The Atlantic’s Blessing: 60 Days of Sailing That Exhausted Britain

One of the key factors in America’s victory in the Revolutionary War was its unique geopolitical position. Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist and historian, assessed that ‘one of the greatest factors enabling America to win the Revolutionary War was thanks to the Atlantic Ocean serving as a natural moat.’

In those days, it took a grueling two months—60 days—to sail from Britain to the American continent. Imagine the ordeal! In an era without advanced preservation technology, a two-month voyage was hell on earth. In cramped, humid quarters, soldiers lacked not only fresh vegetables but even adequate drinking water. Countless troops suffered from scurvy, their gums swelling and bleeding. By the time they reached the continent, they were already half-dead.

The British forces, arriving in North America exhausted and weakened, had to face the energetic colonial militias fighting on their home turf.

America was blessed with natural defensive barriers—the vast Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. As the saying goes, “We have no enemies above or below us, and to reach us from either side, one must cross the ocean, which takes quite a while.” This geographical advantage not only protected them from external invasions but also provided a foundation for internal growth and development.

In September 1783, after winning the final battles, Britain had no choice but to recognize American independence. This was the historic moment when the ‘United States of America’ was born as a nation.

The ‘President’ and Six Years of Chaos: Protecting Interests and an Unstable Beginning

In 1783, a new nation called ‘America’ was born, but the early United States was far from the powerful democratic state we know today. Surprisingly, for six years after independence, there was no president! Why was this?

This was because the forces that led independence—politicians and businessmen—were reluctant to see the emergence of a ‘strong president.’ Having experienced British government interference through events like the Boston Tea Party, they had fought for independence. Now, at the very moment they wanted to expand their businesses and territories, they didn’t want a leader with absolute power like a king to interfere with their interests again. So they wanted not a king, but a simple ‘mediator’—a ‘President’ (presiding officer)—who would serve their interests. They envisioned a “symbolic” figure who could meet foreign dignitaries or represent national interests.

This approach became the background for why the U.S. Congress was formed with stronger powers than in other countries. They sought to weaken presidential authority and divide it between the Senate and House to prevent the president from operating the government at will.

The concept of separation of powers was born here. By dividing government into executive, judicial, and legislative branches to minimize presidential interference, representatives from each state sought to maintain strong power over their respective states.

The 4th President James Madison analyzed that ‘America’s separation of powers went beyond simply dividing power—it was the product of the founding generation’s anguish to protect their freedom and interests.’

Shays’ Rebellion and the Need for Strong Leadership: The Presidential System Born from Insurrection

However, this unstable system didn’t last long. After the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the American government faced serious financial difficulties and, like Britain before it, began collecting taxes from citizens. “They supported independence promising to create a better country to live in, but then they collected even more taxes,” leading to widespread discontent and a major insurrection by Massachusetts residents—Shays’ Rebellion.

This rebellion shocked the founding fathers tremendously. They were struck by the crisis that “if citizens’ discontent deepens, other rebellions could arise, and we might even fall under British rule again.” The national finances after the Revolutionary War were depleted, similar to Britain’s situation after the Seven Years’ War when it raised taxes through the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. While collecting taxes to fill empty coffers after war was perhaps natural, citizens’ discontent exploded.

Although the rebellion was quickly suppressed, the founding fathers shifted toward the sentiment that “strong leadership is necessary.”

If rebellions broke out across America, they couldn’t rule out the possibility of Britain attempting to regain control. Consequently, after six years, discussions to elect a president with strong leadership gained momentum.

The Art of Checks and Balances: Separation of Powers and the Evolution of Democracy

While recognizing the need for strong leadership, the founding fathers were wary of granting unlimited authority to the president. They sought ways to protect their interests while operating the nation stably, ultimately establishing the framework of ‘separation of powers.’ To prevent the president from unilaterally governing the nation, they separated legislative, judicial, and executive powers to check and balance each other.

However, early America was not the complete democracy we know today. The prevailing perception was that “if we give voting rights to all the ignorant common people, who knows what they might do—that’s not acceptable.” Consequently, they created the ‘Electoral College system,’ where citizens vote first, but elites or wealthy individuals make the final selection of the president. This unique American electoral system continues to this day in 2025.

America’s independence and founding was not simply a military victory. It was a journey that began with aspirations for freedom blessed by nature’s geographical advantages, experienced chaos and trial-and-error as those aspirations became reality, and ultimately sought ‘strong yet checked leadership’ for the ‘people.’ All of these processes played a decisive role in giving birth to today’s ‘United States of America.’