How the US shaped the world: 250 years of power and policies
Key takeaways
- The United States declared its independence from Britain 250 years ago.
- In the 250 years since, US governments have claimed that preserving the ideals of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms are the main motivators of the country's foreign policy.
- Americans, however, have growing doubts about whether the United States has lived up to its founding values.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The United States declared its independence from Britain 250 years ago. Here's how the US's relations with other nations — and its global image — have changed since.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G7A8France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty in 1886 as a belated gift to commemorate the 1876 centennial of the Declaration of Independence Image: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images Advertisement"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" were the "unalienable Rights" centered when the founders of the United States declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.
In the 250 years since, US governments have claimed that preserving the ideals of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms are the main motivators of the country's foreign policy.