America an Empire
Corey Goldsmith
HIS 300
January 6, 2017
Larry Hansen
United States as an Empire
There have been agreements opposed to if the United States is an empire or not. First a definition: empire means political control exercised by one organized political unit over another unit separate from and alien to it. Many factors enter into empire--economics, technology, ideology, religion, above all military strategy and weaponry--but the essential core is political: the possession of final authority by one entity over the vital political decisions of another (Schroeder, 2003). From the definition I would say that the United States as an empire clearly by being one of the world’s superpower countries, by the morality of its military authority, financial power, its international impact, the excellence of its technology, and global alliances.
The American Empire began to come into action in the 1895 after the United States begin to compose the Monroe Doctrine to declare their authority over South American. The Monroe Doctrine a policy, as stated by President Monroe in 1823, that the U.S. opposed further European colonization of and interference with independent nations in the Western Hemisphere (Dictionary.com). The United States begin to form a navy which they would be able to go up against other super powers. It was not until the Spanish-American War where the United States had to demonstrate their powers. With the sinking of the USS Maine this cause a war to come about with Spain and the United States. Under the commanding of Commodore George Dewey he led the U.S Navy to a victory. Although the United States claimed it had no designs on Cuba, many believed the war would be an opportunity to seize other overseas possessions and begin building an American empire (Spanish American War).
As compared to the Roman Empire the United States has some similarities as being an empire both legislative, executive and judicial branches. Both had to throw off a foreign power to establish a nation. Both controlled land outside of their borders.
Even though the United States may not admit as being an empire, but as you can see ever since World War II the United States has briefly taken over countries while refusing to affirm direct colonial rule over them. It has the capability to spread our way of life where other cultures want follow them. As long as the United States stays in a dominant position in international relations we will remain as an empire.