In the early years of our nation, many Americans referred to the U.S. as "the United states are" (plural) rather than "the United states is" (singular). What does this reveal about the U.S and what Americans thought of the U.S.

The people who used the plural verb saw this country as a confederation of states rather than one unified nation.

The use of "the United states are" instead of "the United states is" in the early years of the nation reveals a lot about the U.S. and how Americans thought of it at the time. This reflects the fact that during the founding years of the United States, there was a strong emphasis on individual states' sovereignty and autonomy. The U.S. was initially conceived as a loose confederation of sovereign states, with a federal government that had limited powers.

Americans at that time considered themselves primarily as citizens of their individual states rather than as citizens of a unified nation. This perception was reinforced by the fact that the federal government had relatively limited control over many aspects of governance. Each state had its own laws, regulations, and interests, leading to a decentralized system.

This mentality is reflected in the plural use of "the United states are." It implies that the country is composed of separate entities (the states) that are united rather than a single entity (the nation) acting as a whole. It indicates a strong belief in states' rights and recognition of the individuality and autonomy of each state within the union.

Over time, as the United States faced challenges and underwent significant changes, such as the Civil War and subsequent constitutional amendments, the perception of the country shifted. The United States became more centralized, with a stronger federal government. This led to the use of "the United states is" as a singular noun, reflecting a greater emphasis on the unity and cohesive nature of the nation as a whole.

To understand this historical perspective and the shift in perception, one can delve into the writings and speeches of Founding Fathers, early American political texts, and historical records of that time. Additionally, exploring primary sources, such as diaries, letters, and newspapers, can provide insights into how ordinary Americans perceived their country and the language they used to describe it.