The raise of America

The modern United States stands as the most powerful country in human history, boasting over 800 military bases and accounting for 37% of global military spending. This dominance has positioned the United States as the leader of a vast interconnected global system, contributing to an era of unprecedented prosperity and relatively low levels of conflict.

To comprehend America’s influential role on the world stage and the pivotal significance it holds in global politics, a retrospective journey to the country’s founding becomes imperative. At its inception, America was far from a global power. During the initial 70 years of its existence, the United States expanded both territorially and in influence within North America, ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean. This expansion, however, was accompanied by the tragic consequence of the wholesale slaughter of the indigenous people inhabiting the continent.

The early Americans were deeply divided on the question of whether the country should extend its reach beyond the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The post-civil war period brought a significant debate, with leaders like Secretary of State Seward advocating for America to become a global power. While Seward successfully orchestrated the purchase of Alaska from Russia, attempts to acquire Greenland, Iceland, and annex Caribbean territories were thwarted by Congress. A strong anti-imperialist sentiment, particularly among those on Capitol Hill, played a pivotal role in hindering further expansion.

The late 1800s witnessed a transformative shift. The industrial revolution fueled economic growth, necessitating a more centralized state to manage the burgeoning economy. This concentration of power in the federal government facilitated the unilateral push for U.S. influence abroad by expansionist leaders like President William McKinley.

The turning point occurred in 1898 when President McKinley led the U.S. into war with Spain over Cuba, acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines in the process. Subsequent years saw the annexation of Hawaii, Wake Island, and American Samoa, along with the U.S. taking control of the Panama Canal Zone and occupying the Dominican Republic.

This rapid acquisition of far-flung territories solidified the U.S. as a global power. Simultaneously, America began using its influence to safeguard commercial and military interests abroad, intervening in international diplomacy and installing pro-American regimes. World War I showcased America’s growing influence, with President Wilson spearheading the ambitious League of Nations initiative to promote global peace and cooperation. However, isolationism prevailed, and Congress blocked the U.S. from joining the League.

The Great Depression and the rise of Hitler focused U.S. attention on its own region, but America's ever-growing entanglements abroad made complete disengagement from global affairs impossible. The growing Japanese empire in East Asia posed a direct threat, leading to the Pearl Harbor attack and the U.S. entry into World War II.

World War II marked a transformative period for America's global presence. As the sole major power avoiding economic ruin, the U.S. set the terms of peace, exemplified by the creation of the United Nations. Additionally, the Bretton Woods Agreement established institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, committing the U.S. to deep involvement in global problem-solving.

The post-war era witnessed the onset of the Cold War, with the U.S. adopting a strategy of containment against Soviet expansion. This global struggle compelled the U.S. to exert influence worldwide, resulting in alliances with unlikely partners and interventions in numerous countries to counter Soviet influence.

After the Cold War, the U.S. could have withdrawn from this system, but Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton chose to maintain an active role in managing global affairs. NATO persisted, alliances remained intact, and the U.S. continued intervening in various conflicts globally.

The present-day question arises with the presidency of Donald Trump, who challenges the long-standing consensus on foreign policy. His questioning of alliances and free trade agreements reflects a departure from the post-1945 consensus. As we await the unfolding of his policy decisions, it remains to be seen whether President Trump will act on the isolationist ideas he espoused during his candidacy, potentially reversing decades of institution building and alliances.