American Empire
American Empire is an informal term that is used to collectively describe United States of America's influence and trends toward expansion throughout the world.
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Unlike many other powerful western nations, the United States had historically not been a country that has participated in traditional imperialist expansion or conquests. This changed following the Spanish American War, which was partially provoked by American politicians and businessmen interested in European-style expansionism. After the war, the defeated Kingdom of Spain agreed to cede most of her colonial possessions to the control of the United States.
The following areas have at one time or another been part of a sort of "American Empire," that is to say colonies that were annexed to the United States, yet not granted statehood or self-rule.
Expansion
There is also the odd case of Liberia, a nation founded in part by American slaves who were returned to Africa.
Many of America's former colonies have since become independent countries, states of the American union, or self-governing commonwealths.
Today, what many consider to be the "American Empire" does not fit historical definitions of imperialism and colonialism, but the United States influence takes on different and discreet forms. America's military presence by itself is breathtaking and influential. According to researchers [1], around the world, the United States maintains 750 military bases or installations staffed by American military personnel in roughly 130 countries.
The term "American Empire" is mostly used as derogatory expression to personify America's military and cultural presence in most nations. American Empire is a book by Andrew J. Bacevich that says the United States started to act like an Empire after the end of the Cold War.
Many statesmen, scholars, and supporters within the United States insist that America "is" and "should be" an empire in every sense. This is exemplified by the conservative, Reagan-ite Project for the New American Century, which became influential in the 2003 decision to invade Iraq. As stated in PNAC's principles:
In the book Empire by Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, the USA are seen as central for the development and constitution of a new global regime of power and sovereignty, termed empire by Hardt and Negri. The book is building on neomarxist, postcolonial, postmodern ideas and globalization theories. The empire of Hardt and Negri shouldn't be equalled with the American Empire described in this article.
American Empire is also the name of an alternate history trilogy by Harry Turtledove - after the Great War, the USA and Germany are the dominant world powers. Canada is now under US occupation, and the Confederacy has lost Kentucky and parts of Texas and Virginia to the USA. Jake Featherston, a racist demagogue in the Confederacy, rises to power bent on revenge against the USA, and against the blacks he accuses of 'stabbing the Confederacy in the back'.Contemporary Use of the term
Term
However, many in opposition to this view value a diversity, and reject the notion of a single dominating superpower in order to maintain "balance", "equality", "mutual respect", and "harmony" among all nations around the world.See also
History of United States Imperialism, Pax Americana, Empire, Project for the New American CenturyBook
Alternate history
