The Naked Truth Most independence days celebrate liberation from a European conqueror Hilliard Lackey Columnist --American democracy, in many ways, symbolizes personal and national freedom around the globe The United States of America celebrates Independence Day on July 4, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain by representatives of the 13 English colonies on July 4, 1776. The USA is not alone in observing a day of independence. That reliable Internet source of historical data, Wikipedia, says “An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another state, more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Most countries honor their respective independence day as a national holiday.” It stands to reason that most independence days the world over, like the United States from Great Britain, indicate the country from which independence was gained. Remarkably, over 90% of independence days list their liberty status as “independence from…” a European nation. The few exceptions include “from” the Soviet Union, Japan, the Ottoman Empire, South Africa, Haiti, and Indonesia. A staggering 126 of 136 national independence days indicate “from” a European country. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day Europeans became the dominant world power with two great thrusts: the age of exploration and discovery (1400- 1600) and the industrial revolution (1760-1830). Situated ahead of the curve with the wherewithal to be dominant led to European overseas conquests, colonization, and world dominance. It is no coincidence that the industrial revolution began in England (Great Britain) and that by 1909 the British Empire encompassed 20% of the land area of the Earth and 23% of its population. The Brits established colonies, territories, and possessions in every time zone around the globe prompting a boast that “the sun never sets on the British Empire.” Fearing further British takeover of world affairs late in the 19th century especially natural resource rich Africa, European neighbors called the Berlin Conference. From November 1884 to February 1885, European countries met in Berlin to divide Africa among themselves to colonize the continent. Massive takeover of African countries ensued in short order. Thirty years later, the world was at war for five years as nations took sides for and against European imperialism. World War I may or may not have been a war for world dominance but treaties at its conclusion dissolved the Austro-Hungary and Ottoman empires as well as caused Germany to lose its colonies. Several once dependencies became independent nations. Treaties entered into after World War II and the Truman Doctrine, based on a proclamation by U.S. President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947, gave rise to a renewed quest for freedom around the globe. The Truman Doctrine, more than anything, promoted a movement for worldwide democracy and established the United States’ position as promoting freedom of self-determination for all countries. The creation of the United Nations solidified world commitment to the quest for personal and national freedom. Wikipedia says the UN was founded in 1945 to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between nations and to provide a platform for dialogue. It has led to the dissipation of imperialism. Most colonies and territorial possessions of a mother country gained their freedom, usually by mutual agreement, during the 1950s and 1960s. Any remaining or continuing ties nowadays are by common consent. Very few if any territorial possessions are being held against the will of the people. Almost all nations are free that want to be free. Freedom has come across the land. The Naked Truth: America’s Independence Day celebrates liberation from the British Empire as declared on July 4, 1776. The Middle Ages advent of European dominance of the seas and overseas possessions ushered in the industrial revolution, which added capability for world dominance. It took two world wars to dissolve those advantages and shift the balance of power to the Unites States of America and the idealism of the Untied Nations. Independence Day celebrates more than American independence; it commemorates a worldwide commitment to personal and national freedom Dr. Hilliard Lackey is a native of Marks, Miss., a college administrator, history/geography professor and colonist. Email hlackey@bellsouth.net. |
© All
Rights Reserved for Original Copy on This Site. All Other Links Are To
Copy Whose Rights Are Reserved as Delineated on Those Sites.
Please report any broken,
missing or incorrect links, or make suggestions for links which should
be here to the Webmaster
.