Without U.S. independence, North America would have remained a rural, non-industrial breadbasket. Blessed as it was with natural resources, agrarian North America would have supplied cotton and beef and lumber to industrial Britain. America would thus be more like Australia - a nice enough place to live, but no kind of world power.

In this quote, Steve Bannon argues that U.S. independence was pivotal in shaping the future of North America. He suggests that, without independence, North America would have remained primarily agrarian, acting as a supplier of raw materials like cotton, beef, and lumber to industrialized Britain. Bannon contrasts this hypothetical situation with the reality of a world power that the United States became after gaining its independence, driven by industrialization and global influence.

Bannon’s statement draws a distinction between the potential future of an agrarian North America, which would be reliant on supplying resources to an imperial power like Britain, and the reality of the U.S. becoming an industrial and economically powerful nation. He implies that industrialization and the ability to develop its own economic and political system were essential for America to emerge as a global power. Without independence, North America might have resembled Australia, a prosperous but non-industrial land that is not a significant global player.

The origin of this quote comes from Steve Bannon, a political strategist and former White House Chief Strategist under President Donald Trump. Bannon has been known for his views on nationalism, the importance of sovereignty, and the significance of American independence in global politics. His statement reflects his belief in the critical role of independence in driving economic development and global power.

In this context, Bannon's words emphasize the transformative effect of U.S. independence on the trajectory of North America. He argues that without breaking away from British rule, North America would have remained a subordinate supplier in the global economy, rather than becoming a nation with the ability to challenge other world powers. Bannon’s quote underscores his view of independence as the key to economic progress and the emergence of global influence.