I strongly believe that the United States is imperialistic and has been throughout history. To say that it’s not implies that America hasn’t annexed, occupied, or otherwise dominated any large quantity of countries or regions, and I believe that it has clearly done so. Our nation started out with 830,000 square miles of land that were ceded by Britain, and now we control close to 4 million and possess sixteen islands besides Hawaii. Our record in the past is not any better; our list of territories previously owned by other nations includes Texas, California, Hawaii, Alaska, the Philippines, Louisiana, and others.
Arguments that the US is imperialistic:
The promotion of “manifest destiny” sparked a period of westward expansion that displaced numerous Native Americans.
America annexed the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico in 1898, during the height of imperialism.
The US has a strong presence in the Middle East that has resulted in the strengthening of American power and influence.
Arguments that the US is not imperialistic:
The United States intervenes in foreign affairs for reasons of moral necessity rather than political strategy or interest in expansion.
After World War II, US leaders decided to bring the soldiers home, passing up a clear opportunity for the domination of defeated European states.
American territories are given a respectable degree of self-government that is not typically given by imperialistic world powers.