American Imperialism or How the United States Became the World's Hegemon

RTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicLeft8 hr. ago

The article explores the historical development of American imperialism, examining how the United States, despite its founding principles of isolationism and anti-colonialism, has become a global superpower. It traces the ideological shift from a supposed 'anti-colonial' project to an empire with extensive influence, questioning whether this transformation was intentional or gradual. The piece references the concept of 'Manifest Destiny,' a 19th-century ideology that justified westward expansion and later global influence, rooted in Protestant values and a belief in America’s divine mission to civilize others. Scholars like sociologist Marko Kržan and historian Tomaz Gerden argue that U.S. expansion involved both territorial conquest and cultural imposition, often through violent means such as ethnic cleansing of Indigenous populations. The discussion highlights contradictions between America’s self-image as a defender of freedom and its reality as a dominant global power.

Bias read (Left): The article frames American imperialism as a deliberate and ideological process, emphasizing historical patterns of expansion and control, particularly through the lens of 'Manifest Destiny.' It critiques the U.S. for its role in colonial-like practices, including the subjugation of indigenous lands