Comparison of the Roman Empire and the American Empire

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Comparison of the Roman Empire and the American
Empire

• POS 203
• David Gwyer

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Research Question

• Can the United States be considered an empire
  based on its actions during the past century?
• Comparison between the Roman Empire and the
  American Empire

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Roman Empire

• Greatest extent of land expansion came after the
  conquest of Dacia by the emperor Trajan in 116
  A.D.
• At this time, Roman land expansion was at its
  peak.
• Roman Empire consisted of 2.3 million sq. miles
  of land
• Population estimates vary from 55 million to over
  120 million people

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Height of Roman Expansion

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American Empire History

• Some believe its origins begin with the Monroe
  Doctrine signed in 1823
• Stated that European nations should no longer
  colonize or interfere with the affairs of the
  nations of the Americas
• Others attribute the start of the American Empire
  with the Spanish -American War in 1898.
• We acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and
  Guam

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American Empire History

• Around the time of the Spanish-American War, the
  U.S. was seen as an emerging world power
• WWI and WWII were essential in building up our
  military
• After WWII, the U.S. military trimmed down but
  continued to spend money
• Cold War brought about large alliances with which
  the U.S. could increase its military-industrial
  complex.

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U.S. Military Spending

• FY 1996 307.4 billion
• FY 2002 328.7 billion
• FY 2006 535.9 billion (estimated)
• Source http//www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0904490.htm
  l

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U.S. Military Deployments Worldwide

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Roman Military Deployments Worldwide

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Future of U.S. Military Expansion

• Future U.S. military bases showing up in the
  Balkans and Central Europe
• May eventually see U.S. bases and troops in Africa

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21st Century

• Many refer to the 1900s as the American
  Century.
• According to the National Intelligence Councils
  2010 Project, the early 21st century may be seen
  as the time when some in the developing world,
  led by China and India, come into their own.

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Closing

• Future possible threats from nations like North
  Korea, Iran, China, and still Russia, will only
  help to justify U.S. military expansion.
• The U.S. is an empire, different from that of the
  Roman Empire but every bit as powerful, if not
  more so.