This is the story of a small nation, winning its independence and trying to make its way in the world despite growing pains and foreign interference.

Year 00: Independence declared
Year 01: Nation’s capital occupied by enemy
Year 04: One of nation’s top generals defects to enemy
Year 04: Militias loyal to enemy ravage parts of south
Year 05: Nation adopts new form of government
Year 07: War for independence ends. Nearly 100,000 people loyal to enemy flee nation, fearing for life and property
Year 10: Internal rebellion
Year 13: New form of government adopted. Many regions oppose
Year 14: Warfare against insurgents on frontier
Year 15: Constitution amended to grant rights to people
Year 15: Internal rebellion
Year 22: Goes to war with former ally
Year 23: Internal rebellion
Year 24: Beginning of 15 years of undeclared warfare against smaller nations in Africa
Year 24: Disenfranchised citizens rebel
Year 27: Head of state committs nation to huge land purchase without legeslative authorization
Year 28: Vice President murders former head of treasury
Year 29: Disenfranchised citizens rebel
Year 35: Disenfranchised citizens rebel
Year 35: Warfare against insurgents on frontier
Year 36: Declares war on world superpower
Year 38: Enemy occupies / burns capital
Year 38: Warfare against insurgents on frontier
Year 39: Disenfranchised citizens rebel

In the first forty years, I make that:

Capital lost to enemy twice
New form of government adopted twice
Two major wars
Several minor wars
Six rebellions

Not to mention the refugees fleeing, the militia problem, the lack of security on the borders, a chief executive exceeding his perogitives and gunfire among top officials.

Democracy is hard. But the United States made it. I suspect that if we are patient, the Iraqis will, too.

Books on American History