American Expansion (Imperialism?)

1. American Expansion (Imperialism?) Source: Letter from Thomas Jefferson to President James Madison, 27 April 1809 “We should then have only to include the North in our confederacy, which would be of course in the first war, and we should have such an empire for liberty as she has never surveyed since the creation: & I am persuaded no constitution was ever before so well calculated as ours for extensive empire & self-government.”

2. “…as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that 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… We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers (European nations) to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety… It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.” Source: President James Monroe’s seventh State of the Union Address December 2, 1823

3. “The far-reaching, the boundless future will be the era of American greatness. In its magnificent domain of space and time, the nation of many nations is destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles; to establish on earth the noblest temple ever dedicated to the worship of the Most High -- the Sacred and the True. Its floor shall be a hemisphere -- its roof the firmament of the star-studded heavens, and its congregation an Union of many Republics, comprising hundreds of happy millions, calling, owning no man master, but governed by God's natural and moral law of equality, the law of brotherhood – of peace and good will amongst men… We must onward to the fulfillment of our mission -- to the entire development of the principle of our organization -- freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality… Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity?” Source: John L. O’Sullivan “The Great Nation of Futurity” – 1839 speech

4. It seems to me that God, with infinite wisdom and skill, is training the Anglo-Saxon race for an hour sure to come in the world’s future….This race of unequaled energy, with all the majesty of numbers and the might of wealth behind it – the representatives of the largest liberty, the purest Christianity, the highest civilization will spread itself over the earth….This powerful race will move down upon Mexico, down upon Central and South America, out upon the islands of the sea, over upon Africa and beyond. And can anyone doubt that the result of the competition of the races will be the “survival of the fittest?” Source: Josiah Strong, Our Country, 1885

5. “The frontier is gone, and with its going has closed the first period of American history.” Frederick Jackson Turner, The Frontier in American History, 1893

6. Americans must begin to look outward. The growing production of the country demands it. An increasing volume of public sentiment demands it. The position of the United States, between two Old Worlds and the two great oceans, makes the same claim. Alfred T. Mahan, The Interest of America in Sea Power, 1897 (A sequel to The Influence of Sea Power Upon History)