This paper discusses the expansion of the American empire from its early days as a nation of farmers through being an imperial
power with expanding
territories to being the world's only superpower since the
collapse of the Former Soviet Union. It evaluates whether it is a good thing for a state to be so powerful and looks at how long America can actually stay in this position in light of today's political world. Outline Introduction Manifest Destiny Land Acquisition through Conquest and Purchases Implications of American Imperialism America's History as an Imperialist Power America as an Agricultural Country The Need for Markets Foreign Markets and American Imperialism American Hegemony vs. other Imperial Powers Comparison with the Soviet Union Comparison with Britain Negative Implications America as the World's Only Superpower America after the Collapse of the USSR America as a Benign Hegemony Collapse of Empire Conclusion