Book Review: Imperialism and Expansionism in American History: A Social, Political, and Cultural Encyclopedia and Document Collection

Abstract

From the genesis of the concept of manifest destiny in the 1840s, through the attainment of statehood for Alaska and Hawaii in 1959, and up to the present day as the world’s lone superpower, the locomotive that is our nation has barreled down the twin rails of physical growth and world influence. Powerful, but not omnipotent, America has also learned some hard lessons in playing the role of global policeman.