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Ruprecht-Karls-Universität HeidelbergCurt-Engelhorn Chair in American History Prof. Dr. Manfred BergWinter Term 2008/2009

The Reluctant Empire?

U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

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Prof. Dr. Manfred Berg

Office Hours: Tuesday, 11-12 a.m., R 041

Email: manfred.berg@zegk.uni-heidelberg.de

Phone: 54 2276 www.schurman.uni-hd.de Reading Course: Tuesday, 4-6 p.m.,

ÜR III

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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

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Internet Access to course Materials http://elearning.uni-heidelberg.de

→ Philosophische Fakultät→ Mittlere und Neuere GeschichteLogin: urz-identificationAccess key: empire

http://www.hca.uni-heidelberg.de→ M.A. in American Studies→ Curriculum 2009

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Textbook

Dennis Merrill and Thomas G. Paterson, Major Problems in American Foreign Relations, 2 volumes, 6th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.

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Today‘s Topics

Traditions Approaches Empire

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Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

“It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions which she can never do while by her dependence on Britain.”

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George Washington (1732-1799)

“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

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John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

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.”

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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.”

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Principles of the Founders

Political and military non-alignment Commerce and trade with everybody Continental Expansion Hegemony in the Americas

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American Exceptionalism

America is special and different from other nations, especially from Europe

America has a historical mission to which it must remain faithful

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John Winthrop (1588-1649)

“We must consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people upon us.”

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John Adams (1735-1826)

“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.”

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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.

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Walter McDougall: Promised Land, Crusader State

Old Testament (19th Century):

Liberty at home Unilateralism Monroe Doctrine Continental Expansion

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Walter McDougall: Promised Land, Crusader State

New Testament (20th Century):

Progressive Liberalism Wilsonian Internationalism Containment Global Meliorism

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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

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Approaches

Traditional Diplomatic History: Focus on state actors and governments Eurocentric model

Wisconsin School: Capitalist Expansion as driving force Ruin of America’s republican ideals

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Approaches

Foreign relations of societies World Systems International History Transnational History

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Approaches

Culture: Collective customs, ideas, values and

symbols that shape world views and perceptions

Soft Power Americanization?

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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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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

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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

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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

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Reluctant Empire?

Is the U.S. an Empire? Should it be an Empire? Traditional Empire? Liberal Empire? Informal Empire? Empire by Invitation? Imperial Republic?