If George Washington had accepted King George III's offer to become America's king after the Revolutionary War, it would have meant that the United States would have remained under British rule with Washington as a figurehead monarch instead of becoming an independent republic.
Related terms
Monarchy: A form of government where a single ruler, typically a monarch or king/queen, holds supreme power.
Republic: A form of government where the country is considered a public matter, with elected representatives serving as leaders and making decisions on behalf of the people.
Independence: The state of being free from control or influence by others; self-governing.