Radio Rothbard

The Declaration of Independence Created 13 New Sovereign Countries

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Jan 23, 2026
Larsen Plyler, historian and curriculum developer for the Mises Academy, explains how 1770s Americans envisioned 13 independent sovereign states. He highlights the Declaration’s plural language and the Articles of Confederation’s confederal design. The conversation contrasts that original pluralism with later moves toward a centralized national state.
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INSIGHT

Declaration Created 13 Sovereign States

  • The Declaration of Independence declared thirteen separate sovereign states, not a single unified nation.
  • Jefferson's wording intentionally framed the colonies as independent states that would cooperate, not merge into one nation.
INSIGHT

Articles Preserved State Sovereignty

  • The Articles of Confederation explicitly preserved each state's sovereignty and formed a 'firm league of friendship.'
  • Founders intended a loose confederation for defense and commerce rather than a centralized national state.
INSIGHT

Colonies Were Culturally Diverse

  • Colonial populations were culturally diverse, shaped by distinct English 'folkways' and environments.
  • Regional differences produced lasting political and social variations across the states.
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