Building an American Empire

This insightful examination of westward expansion reveals how government policies shaped a predominantly white settler nation in Building an American Empire.

The westward expansion of the United States is often romanticized as a tale of rugged individualism, geographic isolation, and sheer luck. However, the establishment of the forty-eight contiguous states was not a simple or inevitable process. Instead, it was the result of deliberate actions taken by the federal government, which played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of this expansion. In Building an American Empire, the author explores how governmental policies influenced the movement of populations on the frontier, both in terms of settlement and removal, to fulfill national ambitions and create a predominantly white settler nation.

The book delves into the intricacies of federal land policy, illustrating how the government sought to exert control over expansion by engineering settlement patterns. At times, this involved mobilizing populations to settle in strategically important areas, while at other moments, it meant restraining settlers to prevent violence and maintain order. Paul Frymer examines how these policies not only directed the movement of white European settlers onto diverse lands but also constructed a dominant racial narrative that shaped America's identity.

Building an American Empire also highlights the complexities and failures of these efforts, such as the limited expansion into Latin America and the challenges faced by the black colonization movement. Through this analysis, the book reveals the profound and lasting impact of government settlement policies on the nation's development, both in terms of racial dynamics and the broader aspirations for empire.