1. The Reluctant Empire? U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
4/9/2017
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Curt-Engelhorn Chair in American History Prof. Dr. Manfred Berg Winter Term 2008/2009
The Reluctant Empire?
U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

2. Prof. Dr. Manfred Berg Office Hours: Tuesday, 11-12 a.m., R 041
Phone:
Reading Course: Tuesday, 4-6 p.m., ÜR III
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

3. 4/9/2017
Exams and Credits
Zwischenprüfung (Grundstudium Geschichte): Oral or Written Exam!
Orientierungsprüfung (Grundstudium Geschichte)
Oral or Written Exams for Erasmus Students and Other Foreign Exchange Students
Written Exams for B.A. and M.A. students (new programs)
Review Sheet will be distributed in early December
Written Exams:January 19, 2009
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

4. Internet Access to course Materials
→ Philosophische Fakultät → Mittlere und Neuere Geschichte Login: urz-identification Access key: empire
→ M.A. in American Studies → Curriculum 2009
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

5. Textbook
Dennis Merrill and Thomas G. Paterson, Major Problems in American Foreign Relations, 2 volumes, 6th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

6. Today‘s Topics Traditions Approaches Empire 4/9/2017
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

7. Thomas Paine ( )
“It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions which she can never do while by her dependence on Britain.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

8. George Washington ( )
“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

9. John Quincy Adams ( )
America “goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy… She might become the dictatress of the world. She would no longer be the ruler of her own spirit.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

10. Monroe Doctrine of December 1823
“The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

11. Principles of the Founders
Political and military non-alignment
Commerce and trade with everybody
Continental Expansion
Hegemony in the Americas
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

12. American Exceptionalism
America is special and different from other nations, especially from Europe
America has a historical mission to which it must remain faithful
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

13. John Winthrop ( )
“We must consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people upon us.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

14. John Adams ( )
“I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scheme and design of providence for the illumination and emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the world.”
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

15. America’s Mission
Examplarists: America must be an example of a good and prosperous society which others will emulate. Trying to impose its model would discredit the mission and destroy its spirit.
Vindicators: In order to survive, the American model must be actively spread all over the world.
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

16. Walter McDougall: Promised Land, Crusader State
Old Testament (19th Century):
Liberty at home
Unilateralism
Monroe Doctrine
Continental Expansion
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

17. Walter McDougall: Promised Land, Crusader State
New Testament (20th Century):
Progressive Liberalism
Wilsonian Internationalism
Containment
Global Meliorism
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

18. Walter Mead: Special Providence
Hamiltonians
Strong government and foreign trade
Wilsonians
Spread of democracy and international peace
Jeffersonians
Safeguarding democracy at home
Jacksonians
Security and prosperity for the American people
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

19. Approaches Traditional Diplomatic History: Wisconsin School:
Focus on state actors and governments
Eurocentric model
Wisconsin School:
Capitalist Expansion as driving force
Ruin of America’s republican ideals
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

20. Approaches Foreign relations of societies World Systems
International History
Transnational History
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

21. Approaches
Culture:
Collective customs, ideas, values and symbols that shape world views and perceptions
Soft Power
Americanization?
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

22. Approaches Gender and Race Social and cultural constructions
Social hierarchies and power relations
Casting foreign nations and societies
Legitimizing Power and Domination
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23. What is an Empire? More than a powerful nation state
Not just a hegemonic power
Keepers of imperial peace: Pax Romana, Pax Americana
Imperial Overstretch
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

24. Colossus: The Price of America’s Empire by Niall Ferguson
The U.S. must be the heir to the British Empire
The U.S. has no imperial political culture
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

25. Empires: The Logic of World Domination from Ancient Rome to the United States by Herfried Münkler
Imperium Americanum subject to the historical logic of empire
Imperial Overstretch
Democratic decision-making requires short-term solutions for long-term problems
Universalist ideology requires moral luxuries and provokes charges of hypocrisy
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

26. Reluctant Empire? Is the U.S. an Empire? Should it be an Empire?
Traditional Empire?
Liberal Empire?
Informal Empire?
Empire by Invitation?
Imperial Republic?
Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg