Being one of the world’s largest powers is a huge
responsibility. What made America’s ascension into this position all the more
difficult was that it was quick. After WW2, the Western half of Europe relied on
America to help rebuild their economies and infrastructure. That’s a huge
change from their isolationist and non-interventionist policies from before,
where they didn’t intervene and entangle themselves in foreign affairs.

What you’ll see in the series is that America is often referred
to as a “child” or “brat.” He’s also been judged by the other nations as “immature”
and “spoiled.” How I interpret this is that it stems from his isolation and
lack of interaction with the other nations post-Revolution. When he grew up and
became independent, England wasn’t there to teach him the ropes of politics.

In isolation, America only thought in terms of himself, which
would explain that when he finally did enter the world’s stage, he came off as self-centered.
‘Children’ are inherently egotistical, and it’s only until they mature that they
begin thinking outside of their own little bubble.

For example, he thinks a world map is that of his own
country.

In other words, America simply wasn’t used to putting others
first and lacked experience in socialization. He didn’t know any better. However,
what I’ll be arguing is that once America got used to his position as a leading
power, he was no longer unaware of the repercussions of his actions. He grew up fast.

Indeed, it’s canon that he chooses not to read the atmosphere,
something I believe originates from the negative reactions directed at him by
the other nations.

He’s not oblivious. In fact, it’s all a pretense if you dig
deep enough to find the brief moments in the strips where America reveals his vulnerabilities
and ridden insecurities. Instead of being ignorant, America consciously makes
the decision to ignore things; most often
enough, it’s to avoid criticism.

There’s plenty of hints in the strips to support this too. In
Chapter 23 of World Stars, England tells America that he’s “far too removed from
reality.”

What’s worth questioning is perhaps England doesn’t
realize that America’s cheerfulness and whacky ideas potentially serves as a mask
to hide from his problems. Instead of confronting them, America invents wild
schemes such as aliens or spies as an unhealthy escapist mechanism…a
distraction.

You see this again in Chapter 25, where America presents a
ridiculous Earth-defense plan that involves the use of Power Rangers.

On the other hand, what America pulls off next is childish and selfish, but also a fully conscious and calculated tactic. To intimidate other countries into complying with him, he crushes a bundle of spoons.

This is the move of someone who wants power and knows how to get it. You can also say that this is the behaviour of someone who’s afraid of receiving criticism, and uses force to suppress it.

England’s reaction to this reinforces the idea of America’s
childish behaviour.

That said, England will scold America at every opportunity,
to the point of excess.

In particular, England likes to criticize America’s movies. It happens so much that America has normalized it.

Now, I’m going to take you through two mixed reactions. Here,
America doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that England hates his movies,
even going so far as to compliment his own works as a hasty pick-me-up.

In Chapter 34, however, we see the potential negative effects
that England’s put-downs has had on America. To compensate for these criticisms,
America makes parody award shows for the worst of his movies. This a very
different reaction from the first one I mentioned, as here America is openly
recognizing that his movies are not all that good.

At the same time, he’s
also putting up a front by scrambling to make something positive out of
something negative. It would seem that this is how he copes with criticism; by
not addressing it at all.

Lastly, America has been shown to be painfully aware that he’s
not well-liked.

Overall, how I interpret this is that America’s big and
larger than life smiles, grand schemes, and supposed obliviousness is all an
act. It helps him hide from acknowledging how low his self-esteem is. He’s unable to handle criticism from others because it shatters this facade.