The Picky Eagle: How Democracy and Xenophobia Limited U.S. Territorial Expansion

The Picky Eagle explains why the US stopped annexing territory by focusing on the domestic consequences, particularly political and normative. Richard W. Maass argues that US ambitions were selective from the start, and by presenting twenty-three case studies, he examines the decision-making of US leaders facing opportunities to pursue annexation between 1775 and 1898. US leaders were sensitive to the domestic costs of annexation, such as xenophobia and commitment to democracy, and often declined even profitable opportunities for territorial expansion. This book adds important nuance to previous theories of great-power expansion and has implications for our understanding of US foreign policy and international relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

The Picky Eagle delves into the compelling reasons behind the United States' decision to halt its territorial expansion, shedding light on the domestic consequences, both political and normative, that shaped this pivotal shift. It explores how the United States' rejection of further annexations, despite its growing power, set the stage for twentieth-century endeavors to condemn conquest. Contrary to conventional narratives of a nineteenth-century transition from territorial expansion to commercial expansion, Richard W. Maass argues that the United States' ambitions were selective from the outset. Through the presentation of twenty-three case studies, Maass examines the decision-making processes of US leaders who faced opportunities to pursue annexation between 1775 and 1898. These leaders, including presidents, secretaries, and congressmen, consistently grappled with the impact of absorbing new territories on their domestic political influence and their aspirations for their country. They were particularly sensitive to the domestic costs associated with annexation, particularly when xenophobia intersected with their commitment to democracy. Rather than grant political representation to a vast alien population or subject it to a long-term imperial regime, these leaders frequently avoided both perceived undesirable options by rejecting annexation. Consequently, US leaders often declined even profitable opportunities for territorial expansion, ultimately renouncing the practice altogether when no desirable targets remained.

In addition to providing an updated account of the historical foundations of US territorial expansion, The Picky Eagle offers valuable nuances to previous theories of great-power expansion. These insights have profound implications for our understanding of US foreign policy and international relations. By examining the selective nature of US ambitions and the concerns surrounding annexation, The Picky Eagle sheds light on the complex interplay between power, politics, and values that have shaped the nation's territorial expansion throughout its history. This book contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics that have shaped the global order and the ongoing challenges of managing territorial disputes and conflicts.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501772290