United States were established as a federation. The concept of federalism as a way of organizing a system of government proved to be a very powerful one and highly attractive. It was adopted in a number of countries all over the world. Because the concept of a federal union is a genuinely American every federal constitution is to some extent modeled on the American example, although some of them in much greater degree than the others. Contemporary federal systems vary enormously and there are many reasons why the American constitution could not be simply copied in not one of modern federations. None the less, the principles of the American constitution where they concern federalism – such as division of power between separated orders of government, direct representation of the constituent parts in the national legislature or their participation in the procedure of amending the constitution – were adopted in each of them. Thus, federalism can be seen as a significant American contribution to the theory of constitutionalism, even if it failed or was rejected outright – or after short period – in some countries and had to be significantly adjusted to local circumstances in the others.

Inventing federalism

Separation from Britain resulted in the establishment of thirteen independent states in place of the former colonies, some of them having declared their independence even before the unanimous Declaration of Independence was passed by Continental Congress and announced on the 4th of July 1776. The states had thought together during the War of Independence.