America was the seventh of Blake's illuminated texts and the first of his "prophetic books," in which he unfolded his myth of human history from Creation to Redemption.

America concentrates largely on contemporary events, especially in North America, the American Revolution being a focal point. The Revolution has its personification in the mythological character of Orc, the child of Los and Enitharmon; his story is also detailed in The Book of Urizen. The liberation of Orc from the oppressive religion of Urizen is an allegory of American's struggle against England in particular and of all social revolutions in general.

There are eighteen folio plates in America. Most copies of the poem are uncolored.

Plate 8 shows Urizen above the heavens.