“Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.”
- October 13, 1925 – April 8, 2013
- British
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Politician, “The Iron Lady”
table of contents
Quote
“Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.”
Explanation
This quote emphasizes the foundational differences between Europe and America, suggesting that Europe’s identity is shaped by a long, often tumultuous historical evolution, while America’s identity is rooted in abstract ideals and intentional design. By stating that Europe was created by history, Thatcher alludes to its centuries of monarchies, wars, revolutions, and religious conflicts that organically formed its nations and institutions. In contrast, saying America was created by philosophy highlights how the United States was born from Enlightenment principles—such as liberty, individual rights, and democratic governance—explicitly laid out in documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Margaret Thatcher, a staunch transatlantic ally and admirer of the American model, used this comparison to highlight the idealism and structured intent behind America’s founding. She saw the United States as a nation built on values, where philosophy shaped governance from the outset, unlike Europe, where systems emerged through compromise, conquest, and circumstance. Her observation aligns with the notion that America’s founding was a bold experiment in applying Enlightenment theory to political reality.
Today, this distinction still informs transatlantic relations and cultural perceptions. European integration remains complex and historically burdened, whereas America often frames itself as the embodiment of enduring ideals. The quote reminds us that how a nation begins shapes how it thinks about itself, and Thatcher’s insight continues to resonate in debates about identity, governance, and political philosophy on both sides of the Atlantic.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
