The story of America is, truly, a remarkable one. Once, just a humble colony of Britain (until it's independence in 1783), it replaced the British Empire during the 20th century, becoming the most powerful nation and 'cultural center' the world has ever known.
How was this possible?
After two World Wars against European rivals Britain was broke and maintaining it's position at the head of an empire was not possible anymore. America now emerged as the global superpower with unrivaled military and financial might. The 'Cold War' with The USSR was a feature of the 2nd half of the 20th century, but it was America that flourished and American culture that most other nations wanted to emulate. Its music, movies, fashions and new technologies along with its ideals of free market capitalism and individualistic freedoms were popular with people globally.
Is there such a thing as an American Empire?
The idea of Empire building is not part of American culture. However, the history of the 20th Century would suggest that The USA has used it's military and financial powers every bit as much as the British did in the preceding century. American 'exceptionalism' is popular among people within the U.S (including Ex-President Obama) but the idea of empire doesn't exist. The American public would not tolerate any explicit policies of empire building. Americans see their engagement with the world as protecting the causes of freedom, democracy, and justice worldwide.
America spends more money on its military than the next ten countries combined and it is deployed in more than 177 countries around the world, with over 300,000 of its active-duty personnel serving outside the United States (2018).
How was this possible?
After two World Wars against European rivals Britain was broke and maintaining it's position at the head of an empire was not possible anymore. America now emerged as the global superpower with unrivaled military and financial might. The 'Cold War' with The USSR was a feature of the 2nd half of the 20th century, but it was America that flourished and American culture that most other nations wanted to emulate. Its music, movies, fashions and new technologies along with its ideals of free market capitalism and individualistic freedoms were popular with people globally.
Is there such a thing as an American Empire?
The idea of Empire building is not part of American culture. However, the history of the 20th Century would suggest that The USA has used it's military and financial powers every bit as much as the British did in the preceding century. American 'exceptionalism' is popular among people within the U.S (including Ex-President Obama) but the idea of empire doesn't exist. The American public would not tolerate any explicit policies of empire building. Americans see their engagement with the world as protecting the causes of freedom, democracy, and justice worldwide.
America spends more money on its military than the next ten countries combined and it is deployed in more than 177 countries around the world, with over 300,000 of its active-duty personnel serving outside the United States (2018).
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Just how wealthy is the U.S. compared to other countries around the world.
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20th Century American History
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Worksheets
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The Globalization
Debate
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