AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

by Ernest R. May ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 20, 1968

In this relatively brief but intensive ""speculative essay"" historian Ernest R. May investigates the causes of American imperialism which manifested itself in the acquisition of the Philippines in 1898. He discusses the anti-expansionist views of the ""foreign policy establishment"" which predominated in the 1870's and '80's and then traces the shift in opinion towards colonialism in the 1890's, which was followed then by the abrupt disavowal of foreign colonizing. To the usual theories offered for U.S. expansion overseas--Manifest Destiny, Social Darwinism, economic expansion and internal psychic crises, May offers another theory the influence of European imperialistic forays on the opinion makers in the U.S. To support his thesis he examines the books, articles and speeches in which proponents of European imperialism sought an audience in the U.S. and he tries to relate their actual influence on American thinking. His work complements that of other scholars and is of interest primarily to students.

Pub Date: June 20, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION