Crisis of the American Sense of Mission at the Turn of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

The sense of mission is an integral part the national spirit. Therefore, questioning its validity can lead to destabilization a nation’s fundamental values and major crisis in self-image. This type accompanied transformation American at turn nineteenth twentieth centuries, which arose from clash between principles traditional continental expansionism new imperialist aspirations. In wake 1898 Spanish-American War, United States found itself definitively enmeshed global arena great power politics. control overseas possessions not meant for statehood Union turned federal republic into empire all but name. fed on inherent tension liberal democratic traditions attempt made imperial governance. As research Congressional Records will indicate, congressional debate developing ideas expansionism, consensus emerged that questions relating status territories were most significant people had faced during century, these touched upon roots consciousness. With view significance this historical moment, essay examines forces work both against time when Congress still constituted powerful check executive field foreign policy. (ÉESZ)