Lecture Notes: The Rise of the United States as a Global Power

Introduction

• The modern United States is the most powerful country in human history.
• It has over 800 military bases and 37% of global military spending.
• The US leads an interconnected global system promoting prosperity and low conflict levels.

Early Expansion and Debates

• Founding and Early Expansion:
  • The US expanded territory in North America, reaching the Pacific Ocean.
  • Expansion led to the slaughter of indigenous peoples.
• Post-Civil War Debate:
  • Divided views on further expansion.
  • Secretary of State Seward pushed for global power, purchasing Alaska.
  • Anti-imperialist sentiment blocked further expansion attempts (e.g., Greenland, Iceland).

The Industrial Revolution and Expansionism

• Economic growth required a centralized state and bureaucracy.
• Power centralized in the federal government.
• Expansionist presidents like William McKinley pushed US influence abroad.

Key Turning Points

• Spanish-American War (1898):
  • US defeated Spain, acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
  • Annexed Hawaii (1898), Wake Island (1899), American Samoa (1900).
  • Took control of Panama Canal Zone (1903) and Dominican Republic (1916).
  • Purchased the American Virgin Islands (1917).

World War I and the League of Nations

• American intervention was decisive in WWI.
• President Wilson led the Paris Peace Conference.
• Proposed the League of Nations for global peace, but Congress blocked US participation.

World War II and Aftermath

• US avoided economic ruin; only country with atomic weapons post-WWII.
• Created United Nations to prevent wars of conquest and promote peace.
• Established Bretton Woods Agreement, leading to World Bank and IMF.

Cold War Era

• NATO Formation:
  • To counter Soviet expansion in Europe.
  • Strategy of "Containment" to stop the spread of Communism globally.
• US Global Influence:
  • Alliances with countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Korea.
  • Intervened globally to contain Soviet influence (e.g., Iran, Afghanistan, Nicaragua).

Post-Cold War Developments

• US maintained military infrastructure and alliances post-Berlin Wall fall.
• Presidents Bush and Clinton continued active global management.
• NATO expanded; US support for allies like Israel and Japan continued.

Contemporary Challenges and Perspectives

• Trump's Foreign Policy:
  • Questioned value of NATO, WTO, and free trade.
  • Suggested allies like Japan and South Korea should self-protect.
  • Divergence from post-1945 US foreign policy consensus.

Conclusion

• US global system remains active with no major calls for dismantling.
• Potential shifts depend on future political developments.