The Co-Building Of Nation-State And Empire In American History,1776-1867

Is America a Nation-State or an Empire? To answer this question, this paperselects the early American history since the day of Declaration of Independence tillthe end of the Civil War to search for the origin and early buildings of Americannation-state and empire. The buildings of nation-state and empire run parallel andinteract as the two major clues in early American history. It offers a new perspectiveto the understanding of contemporary America and world by careful examining ofthese two trends.Chapter Ⅰ Introduction. This part proposes the significance of study and clarifiesthe current researches on American nation-state and empire thoughts andinterrelations. It also gives a general picture of research approach and thesis structure.Chapter Ⅱ Nation-state and empire. This chapter runs through the existingtheories and definitions on nation-state and empire. Starting with the idea of nationand nationalism, this chapter explains the nation-state’s double meaning in reality andin idea, and goes deep to the characteristics of American nation-state. It also adds theinterpretation of British empire and its shared origin with the American empirebuilding. To address the relationship between nation-state and empire, this chapterpoints out the difference of American statehood and empirehood.Chapter Ⅲ origins of American nation and empire. This chapter traces the originof American national identity from the aspects of species, religion and the union ofcolonies, and shows that American colonies has acquired its nationhood to someextent before the revolution. The development of self-rule and the conflict withBritain became the primary conditions for revolution. At the same time, as the integral part of British Empire, the American colonies were imbedded with expansionistimpulse with the support of Exceptionism and early form of Manifest Destiny.Chapter IV the initial stage of nation-state and the launching of empire,1776-1815. This chapter gives a detailed account of the development from theDeclaration of Independence to the making of American Constitution by explainingthe founding principles of the United States. Through the heated political arguing, theFederalists and the Republicans together set forth the framework and directions ofAmerican nation-state. At the same time, America has launched its first trial on empirebuilding via trans-Appalachian exploration and Louisiana Purchase. The relationsbetween nation-state and empire was shown by the Empire of Liberty proliferation’sinstigation to the forming up of national consciousness, while federal government waspushing forward expansionism.Chapter Ⅴ great development of nation-state and expansion of continental empire,1815-1848. This chapter offers the development of nation-state building after thesecond Anglo-American War detailed by the boost of American economy, the rise ofnationalism and the era of good feelings. After that, the internal contradictions gaverise to the two party system which democratized and popularized American politicallife, and paved the way for further disintegration. In this period, the American empirebuilding has reached a climax with the absorption of Florida, Oregon and theAmerican-Mexican War. The Westward Movement also started to Americanize theWestern territories. The relations between nation-state and empire is shown by thesplit of nation-state and its temporary relief by territory expansion. However, thestatus of newly joint state became another disputing spot of North-South divide.Chapter Ⅵ nation-state reunification and the end of continental expansion,1848-1867. This chapter depicts the process of the divide, crisis, disintegration andrebirth of nation-state caused by the debates around slavery, the collapse of old partysystem and the emergence of new party system. The empire building has also gainednew features. The continental empire ends with the Alaskan purchase. The relationsbetween nation-state and empire is shown by the irreconcilable conflict betweenNorth and South roused by statuses of new territories and slavery. The federal government has contributed a lot to rescue nation-state and insisted on expansionpolicy shortly after the end of the Civil War.Conclusion gives three basic features in nation-state building and empirebuilding:1, nation-state building and empire building are two basic clues inunderstanding early American history;2, nation-state building and empire buildingshared common development phases;3, nation-state building and empire buildinginteracted in both promotive and discouraging ways...