[NEW COURSE] This course examines the growth of the American Empire. Immediately after the Revolution the United States began aggressively expanding across the continent at a pace considerably beyond a rate required by population growth. The Pacific coast was reached by annexing land purchased from France and conquered in a war with Mexico. Offshore expansion began by annexing Pacific Ocean islands like Hawaii. In a war with Spain we acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines with the intent of seeking captive offshore markets for excess American manufactured and agricultural products. Soon territorial expansion was no longer necessary, and economic power and numerous overseas military bases have subsequently been used to influence other counties’ behavior for our economic benefit. This course examines this expansion and investigates how this was driven, from the beginning until the present day, by individuals of great wealth seeking to further expand their wealth.  Audio/Visual, Discussion, Lecture