The Great American Story Course Notes Part 5

In his “Farewell Address,” George Washington urged his successors to avoid permanent alliances with foreign powers.

Theodore Roosevelt helped develop the pro-imperial argument for the United States.

Social Gospel was an influential movement in Christianity that encouraged imperialism through the argument that Christian nations had a moral obligation to spread their institutions and beliefs to the rest of the world.

Whether or not to annex the Philippines proved to be one of the defining questions of American imperialism.

The idea of imperialism was especially problematic for the United States because it conflicted with American principles of self-rule and liberty.

According to Dr. McClay, the Spanish-American War marked the end of the Spanish empire as any kind of coherent entity.

The Wisconsin Idea held that universities could help reform government by conducting scientific investigations aimed at making public administration more efficient, fair-minded, and expert.

John Dewey was the great philosopher of Progressivism.

Theodore Roosevelt’s “stewardship” theory argued that the president was permitted to do whatever was necessary for the well-being of the people.

Woodrow Wilson’s ideal government was one in which the President was a part of the legislative branch.

Wilson rejected the natural rights theory of the Declaration of Independence.

Source: “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope”