" Such a scheme of empire if indulged in, will destroy our republican system of government."- Congress 1860's
It's crazy to me that such words of cautioning against an imperialistic nation have gone by the wayside. Many politicians and leaders would be quick to say that America is not an imperialist nation but taking one look at Mother Jones Magazine's interactive map of U.S. bases around the world, it sure looks like we are. We have a military presence in every continent in the world besides Antarctica.
Reading about the history of our nation and how we got to where we are today, I think it would be good for politicians and policy makers to go back and re-read their U.S. and World history books. There have been many warnings from past presidents and leaders cautioning the buildup of an empire but it seems their warnings have been ignored.
It was interesting to read about how the U.S. acquired Hawaii and that our relationship with the Island started out as a "commercial reciprocity treaty" that was only supposed to last for seven years. When the King of Hawaii granted the U.S. exclusive rights to enter the harbor of Pearl River in the island of Oahu and establish and maintain a coaling and repair station to U.S. vessels, I don't think he ever believed that his nation would fall to and become a part of the U.S.
It is interesting to read that the first public indication of the U.S.' intentions of using military bases for our interests and "world peace" was given by President Truman in 1945. Thus publicly starting our persona of "police of the world." The Sandars article says planning for American military bases throughout the world occurred in the post- war era. I wonder why it took those World Wars to make the U.S want to establish permanent bases around the world when there have been many wars before WWI & II, and establishing essentially a world empire was not one of the outcomes of the aftermath.
1 comment:
I agree. I think the example of Hawaii is a perfect example of US imperial intentions. Not only in the way to US manipulated the King of Hawaii into allowing US bases, but also the history of how the US ultimately acquired Hawaii as its possession. America essentially instituted a coup to obtain rule over Hawaii. I think this a perfect example of US imperial actions
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