[Abridged] Presidential Histories 25.B.) William McKinley's American Empire, an interview with Robert Merry
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Feb 7, 2022 In this engaging discussion, Robert Merry, a veteran Washington journalist and author of five books, dives into the transformative presidency of William McKinley. He explores how McKinley's administration pivoted America toward imperialism, highlighted by the Spanish-American War and the annexation of Hawaii. Merry also delves into McKinley's subtle leadership style and the complexities of his foreign policies, igniting debates that resonate in today's geopolitical landscape. Discover how McKinley shaped America's global ambitions and left a lasting legacy.
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United States Enters Imperial Phase
- Under McKinley the United States clearly became an imperial power by acquiring overseas possessions like Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.
- Merry argues it was imperialism but not identical to classical colonial empires, signaling a new American global role.
Public Restlessness Drove Expansion
- Americans were restless and economically rising, which pushed the country to project power abroad despite Washington's old cautionary precedent.
- Merry says public enthusiasm generally favored expansion even though opposition existed.
McKinley Balanced Morals And Strategy
- McKinley wasn't passive; he balanced humanitarian concerns over Cuba with strategic worries about Caribbean destabilization.
- He pressured Spain to end repression, combining moral and geopolitical reasons for intervention.
