The **United States of America** or **USA/US** is one the largest and
most populous [states](List_of_States "wikilink") in the world, which
also possesses the most power and wealth, acting as a modern [global
empire](Imperialism "wikilink").

## History

The USA was born in the fires during the [American
Revolution](American_Revolution "wikilink"), as wealthy
[landlords](Landlord "wikilink") and [slaveowners](Slavery "wikilink")
forged their own nation-state away from the [British
Empire](British_Empire "wikilink"). Progressive forces for wealth and
land reform were rapidly put down, and neighbouring indigenous nations
were conquered in a slow process of manipulation, war and genocide.