The United States did not participate in the Scramble for Africa. The Scramble for Africa is defined as "the invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism, between 1881 and 1914." However, all of these powers including the United States, which had one colony were involved in the scramble, it was just more of a scramble for the European countries and the United States claimed a colony.
The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789) reflected Enlightenment ideas and ideals in a number of ways. It was declared by the National Assembly of France in the first year of the French Revolution. The first connection was geographic. Even though the Enlightenment was an international movement, its heart was French.
