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The borders were continuously shifting, but they did stay somewhat near a focal point for centuries. The US meanwhile has an overseas empire for honestly no go

The borders were continuously shifting, but they did stay somewhat near a focal point for centuries. The US meanwhile has an overseas empire for honestly no good reason. Highly recommend the book “How to hide an empire” which talks about the American version of colonialism.

lovich 8d ago
The reason for our overseas empire was to maintain our economic dominance. If everyone voluntarily refused to touch boats and only trade oil for dollars we may have invested differently.
- Insanity 8d ago
  "Maintain economic dominance" is a bit of a distorted view of late 19th century US colonialism. It was not a dominant economic power compared to colonial Europe. It was to boost the local economy for sure, with the guano islands. But colonizing the Philippines after the "war" with Spain was mostly to prevent European colonial powers from dominating that part of the world. The US didn't become economically dominant until after the first World War, when it already had an overseas empire for half a century.
  - lovich 8d ago
    I assumed the comment I was replying to was in reference to our constellation of military bases and the economic machinations post ww2. If it was referencing history prior to that then I would reply with the as you mentioned guano mines, fruit production, and keeping European powers out of our regional backyard after several scuffles with Spain and Britain at minimum. I’d also mention the boat touching still. The Marine’s Hymn doesn’t mention the Halls of Montezuma and the Shores of Tripoli for no reason.
strictnein 8d ago
> The borders were continuously shifting, but they did stay somewhat near a focal point for centuries. Ok? They were still an imperial power. Having a stable border for a little while doesn't affect that definition. > The US meanwhile has an overseas empire for honestly no good reason. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism
- Insanity 8d ago
  Not entirely whataboutism from my part (in my opinion), the thread above was talking about China and US imperialism in (now deleted) comments. It's not like I brought in the US out of nowhere although it looks that way due to deleted comments. Same for the first part you're commenting on, that was in direct response to the thread.

lovich 8d ago

The reason for our overseas empire was to maintain our economic dominance. If everyone voluntarily refused to touch boats and only trade oil for dollars we may have invested differently.

Insanity 8d ago
"Maintain economic dominance" is a bit of a distorted view of late 19th century US colonialism. It was not a dominant economic power compared to colonial Europe. It was to boost the local economy for sure, with the guano islands. But colonizing the Philippines after the "war" with Spain was mostly to prevent European colonial powers from dominating that part of the world. The US didn't become economically dominant until after the first World War, when it already had an overseas empire for half a century.
- lovich 8d ago
  I assumed the comment I was replying to was in reference to our constellation of military bases and the economic machinations post ww2. If it was referencing history prior to that then I would reply with the as you mentioned guano mines, fruit production, and keeping European powers out of our regional backyard after several scuffles with Spain and Britain at minimum. I’d also mention the boat touching still. The Marine’s Hymn doesn’t mention the Halls of Montezuma and the Shores of Tripoli for no reason.

strictnein 8d ago

> The borders were continuously shifting, but they did stay somewhat near a focal point for centuries. Ok? They were still an imperial power. Having a stable border for a little while doesn't affect that definition. > The US meanwhile has an overseas empire for honestly no good reason. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

Insanity 8d ago
Not entirely whataboutism from my part (in my opinion), the thread above was talking about China and US imperialism in (now deleted) comments. It's not like I brought in the US out of nowhere although it looks that way due to deleted comments. Same for the first part you're commenting on, that was in direct response to the thread.