A polis was composed of an urban center and the land surrounding it, developments similar to that of the major cities and state capitals in the United States and the rural areas surrounding them. state resembles the community structure of an ancient Greek polis, or city-state. These 13 colonies would become the first states of the newly established country. They did this so that each region could be governed at a local level, with a national government acting as a dominant authority over all. The founders of the United States decided to keep the country divided into states rather than dissolving the colonial boundaries.

Prior to independence, the east coast of what is today the United States was divided into 13 separate colonies. Along with the Roman model, the democratic model of ancient Greece’s system of self-government greatly influenced how the founding fathers set out to construct the new United States government. This was a momentous task, and for guidance they looked to what they deemed the best philosophies and examples of government throughout world history. After declaring independence from England in 1776, the founders of the United States possessed a unique opportunity to create a government of their choosing.

City-State global definition