Introduction to the course The United States and the World
| Faculté | Lettres |
|---|---|
| Département | Département d’histoire générale |
| Professeur(s) | Ludovic Tournès[1][2][3] |
| Cours | The United States and the World |
Lectures
- Introduction to the course The United States and the World
- The conquest of the territory
- From Exceptionalism to American Universalism
- Foreign policy actors
- Empire of Freedom or Imperial Republic (1890 - 1939)?
- The economy: a global New Deal?
- The pursuit of a world order
- Democracy as a justification for US interventions abroad
- The Americanization of the World: Myth or Reality?
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the United States grew rapidly and became an influential world power. This course will focus on the transnational relationships, key events, and transformations that shaped the United States' place in world history. We will begin by examining the conquest of American territory in the nineteenth century and westward expansion, analysing the motivations, conflicts and consequences of this territorial expansion. We will also examine the issue of American exceptionalism and how it evolved into a broader universalism over time. Next, we will look at US foreign policy and the actors who have shaped it. We will study the presidents, diplomats, lobbyists and international organisations that have played a crucial role in shaping US policy decisions and directions on the world stage. We will also analyse periods in American history when US influence extended beyond its borders. We will study the dynamics of US imperialism and how they have been perceived both inside and outside the country. Economics will also be an important part of our exploration. We will examine the impact of the United States on the global economy, particularly during the New Deal and post-war period. We will examine US economic policies and their influence on other countries and regions of the world. We will also explore democratic ideals as a justification for American interventions abroad. We will analyse conflicts and wars where democracy has been presented as a goal to be achieved, while examining the real motivations behind these interventions. Finally, we will discuss the concept of the Americanisation of the world and its real impact. We will examine the manifestations of American influence in culture, politics, economics and other areas, while assessing the reactions and resistance to this influence.
This course aims to provide a global and transnational perspective on the history of the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. By understanding the interactions between the United States and the rest of the world, we can better understand the issues and dynamics that have shaped modern history. Get ready to dive into the key events, ideas, and actors that shaped this fascinating period in world history.
The purpose of the course
In this nineteenth- and twentieth-century Transnational History of the United States and the World course, we will pay particular attention to the relationship between American foreign policy and domestic politics. Understanding this connection is essential for a thorough understanding of the history and evolution of the United States as a world power.
We will explore how foreign policy events and decisions have been shaped and influenced by domestic developments, public attitudes, social movements and political interests in the United States. Similarly, we will analyse how foreign policy has influenced and been influenced by domestic dynamics, such as elections, political power struggles and reform movements.
For example, we will examine how domestic issues such as slavery and the Civil War have impacted on US foreign policy and how global geopolitical considerations have influenced these domestic issues. We will also examine how reform movements, such as the civil rights movement, have resonated with US foreign policy and helped to shape the US's international image and influence.
By understanding these links between foreign and domestic policy, we will be able to understand the motivations and consequences of US actions on the world stage. We will also be able to analyse how domestic changes in the United States have shaped attitudes and policies towards other nations and regions of the world.
This course will therefore seek to deepen our understanding of American foreign policy by exploring the complex interactions between domestic and foreign policy. By linking these aspects, we will be able to better understand the dynamics that have influenced and continue to influence the role of the United States in the world.
Three conductor wires
American Universalism: A National and Transnational Construction
It is a historic building that dates back to the second half of the 20th century.
The Complexity of United States Foreign Policy: Multipolar, Multisectoral (Diplomatic, Military, Economic, Cultural), Global
When we look at the external actions of the United States, this foreign policy is not unambiguous but it has multiple places of elaboration: the presidential administration, the Congress, conflicts occur within the presidential administration itself, as well as private actors who participate in this policy.
The role of the United States in building the international system
From the end of the 19th century to the present day.