All of those things are part of the deal (althought the Federalist papers are more French than English, from what little I know of them, in their philosophy: and the English don't have "states and "territories" as there is no formal division of Great Britain into sub-states (setting aside Tony Blair's recent initiatives) - its the French who have "provinces"), but the emphasis in US politics, and "philosophy" is upon liberties, as enshrined in your constitution.
American and French laws give you the ability to do anything, except what the law prescribes. The British Commonwealth gives you the right to do anything the law allows you to do. Tthat's a fundamental historical difference in the essence of the UK and the US.
American revolutionaries were inspired by the French: the shared idealogy was one of the reasons why the French were willing to help the Americans in the War of Independence.
Language is a really big factor, I agree - you can thank England for that. The legal system is important in defining a country, too, and the US legal system is more closely aligned with the English common law than the French civil code. But politics is the other big factor, and you guys are pure French on that point.
