Almost 250 years ago, thirteen North American colonies made a break from the imperial domination of the British Empire – and yet domination and empire have been recurrent themes in the USA’s own culture and relations with the world ever since. From the continental landgrabs of “Manifest Destiny” in the nineteenth century to today’s Trumpian fantasies of annexing Canada, Greenland and Panama, this discussion will explore the significance of expansionist ideologies and the brute realities of geopolitical power to the American story, and how these fit with the myth-making and self-fashioning of an anti-colonial, freedom-loving nation.

With Dr Will Norman (University of Kent), Dr Adam Burns (Brighton College), and Dr Hilary Emmett (UEA), chaired by Dr Mike Collins (BAAS and KCL).

The event is part of “America Now!”, a series of live events exploring the current state of the USA and its place in the world. In a world of hot takes these discussions offer some much-needed deep dives, giving expert insight into some of the most pressing or peculiar aspects of modern American life – from the Supreme Court to “Cowboy Carter”, and from the politics of the White House to the politics of “The White Lotus”.

British Library Eliot Room | Monday 8 December, 18.30-19.30
Free | Reserve a place by emailing eccles-institute@bl.uk