In this provocative study, Paul Atwood attempts to show Americans that their history is one of constant wars of aggression and imperial expansion.

In his long teaching career, Atwood has found that most students know virtually nothing about America's involvement in the wars of the 20th century, let alone those prior to World War I. War and Empire aims to correct this, clearly and persuasively explaining US actions in every major war since the declaration of independence. The book shows that, far from being dragged reluctantly into foreign entanglements, America's leaders have always picked its battles in order to increase their influence and power, with little regard for the American soldiers and 'enemy' civilians killed or made to suffer in the process.

This book is an eye-opening introduction to the American way of life for undergraduate students of American history, politics and international relations.

Paul Atwood is a senior lecturer in the American studies department and research associate in the William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences, both at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He is a Vietnam-era veteran and an editor of Sticks and Stones: Living with Uncertain Wars (2006).

Acknowledgements
Preface

1. Introduction: American Ideology versus American Realities
2. By the Sword We Seek Peace
3. French, Indians, Rebellion and Repression
4. An Empire for Liberty?
5. From Ashes to Empire
6. War with Spain, then Another and Another
7. World War I:Making the World Safe for American Capital Investment
8. Pearl Harbor: The Spark but not the Cause
9. Cold War: The Clash of Ideology or of Empires?
10. Cold War/Hot War: Savage Wars of Peace?
11. War on Terror
12. Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index