The American Empire

2017-11-01

We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter). @foxandfriends — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

Writing

Empires in the 19th century

What is an empire?

An Emperor

Is the United States an Empire?

Why empire?

  • Economic Reasons
  • National Pride
  • Belief in civilizing mission

Alfred Mahan

Mahan (1890) thought US should

  • Consolidate control over the Carribean
  • Expand Pacific Trade Routes and possessions to protect commerce
  • Build and control a canal through Central America

The Pacific as "an American lake"

US shipping

US shipping routes, from ICOADS database.

Hawaii: Case study.

State Deparment Website

The official history of the Hawaii annexation.

King Kalakaua

Queen Liluokalani

Dole

Sanford Dole

Major US Acquisitions, 1898-1909

  • Philippines
  • Cuba
  • Puerto Rico
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • Panama Canal Zone

Their doctrines, if carried out, would make it incumbent upon us to leave the Apaches of Arizona to work out their own salvation, and to decline to interfere in a single Indian reservation. Their doctrines condemn your forefathers and mine for ever having settled in these United States

  • Teddy Roosevelt on the Anti-Imperialists

And as for a flag for the Philippine Province, it is easily managed. We can have a special one — our states do it: We can have just our usual flag, with the white stripes painted black and the stars replaced by the skull and crossbones.”

  • Mark Twain on the Philippine Annexation