America: The New Imperialism: From White Settlement to World Hegemony

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Verso, 2005 M06 17 - 440 pages
The invasion and occupation of Iraq have sparked considerable discussion about the nature of American imperialism, but most of it is focused on the short term. The classical historical approach of this book provides a convincing and compelling analysis of the different phases of American imperialism, which have now led to America becoming a global hegemon without any serious rivals.

Victor Kiernan, one of the world’s most respected historians, has used his nuanced knowledge of history, literature and politics to trace the evolution of the American Empire: he includes accounts of relations between Indians and white settlers, readings of the work of Melville and Whitman, and an analysis of the way that money and politics became so closely intertwined.

Eric Hobsbawm’s preface provides an insight into his own thoughts on American imperialism, and a valuable introduction to Victor Kiernan’s work. Together, they shed useful light on today’s urgent debates about the uses and misuses of seemingly unlimited military power, a lack of respect for international agreements, and the right to ‘pre-emptive defense’.

From inside the book

Contents

The Birth of a Nation 3520
3
White Man and Red Man
29
The Literary Mirror
49
Civil War and After
71
The Red Man in Custody
97
Latin America and Further Asia
117
AngloSaxons and their Wars
127
The Progressivist Era
147
America the Worlds Banker
217
Slump Years and a New Look at the Red Indian
233
Capitalism Militarism and the Cold War
265
The Old Empires and NeoColonialism
283
The Middle East and Africa
309
Retrospect and Prospect
333
Epilogue by John Trumpbour
363
Bibliography
405

Dollar Diplomacy in Central America
165
Great War and not so great Peace
197

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About the author (2005)

V.G. Kiernan is, as Edward Said observed, 'that great Scottish historian of empire'. A prolific writer, he has published work in areas ranging from Indian history to Marxist politics to Shakespeare. He lives in Edinburgh. A Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Eric Hobsbawm is the author of more than twenty books of history, including The Age of Revolution and The Age of Extremes. He lives in London.

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