US Meritocracy

The US was ripe for becoming a meritocracy. It requires stamina and self-reliance. Governments’ job is to remove obstacles to growth. Individual prosperity requires individuals to work smart. Prosperity depends on results.

The British colonies were formed and defended to provide raw material to Britain. In the 1600s they needed timber to build structures and ships. They also liked tobacco, sugar, chocolate and other commodities grown on the American continent. Colonists were paid by the tonnage and learned to profit from productivity.

The British had been occupied in wars with France, Spain, Portugal and Holland since the 1500s. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_England

The British were too overwhelmed by their colonial ambitions and let the American colonies develop their governance on their own. These colonial governments included a governor, usually appointed by the British King, a legislature, usually elected plantation owners who understood the economy and various notable professionals. The colonial governments of the 13 colonies worked on economic development including securing shipping routes and expanding trade. The population was active building, working, reading and inventing.

The colonies started as trading posts and settlements and towns appeared. These settlements grew into large colonies to encompass the size of a small State. The original 13 colonies were:

Virginia 1607

Plymouth 1620

New York 1626

Massachusetts Bay 1630

Maryland 1633

Rhode Island 1636

Connecticut 1636

New Hampshire 1638

Delaware 1638

North Carolina 1653

South Carolina 1663

New Jersey 1664

Pennsylvania 1682

Georgia 1732

https://www.landofthebrave.info/13-colonies.htm

The population of the 13 colonies grew from 4,646 in 1630 to 2,780,639 by 1780.

https://web.viu.ca/davies/h320/population.colonies.htm

In 1763, the British took control of land up to the Mississippi River, opening up the 13 colonies to establish territories to settle.

In 1789, the United States was established.

In 1803, the United States purchased territory west of the Mississippi River to Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

In 1845 Texas became a State.

In 1846, the United States secured the territory from Montana to the Pacific Ocean from Britain.

In 1848, the United States secured the territory south of Oregon from Mexico.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies#/media/File:NorthAmerica1762-83.png

In 1860, the population of the US was 31,443,321

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1860_United_States_Census

In 1865, the United States defeated the Confederate States.

In 1900 the US population was 76,212,168

The US Constitution reflected the freedom and self-reliance preferred by the original colonists with a capitalist economy that protected private property rights and adhered to free market economics using the law of supply and demand so consumers could control the prices.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader