The United States and the Ends of Empire - Decolonization, Hierarchy, and World Order since 1776

Tracing the United States'' encounters with decolonization from its founding to the 21st century, this book explores the end of empire in Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and modern US territories. In 1776 the United States emerged into a world dominated by empire and hierarchy. US conceptions of where, when and for whom independence has been appropriate have been central to its role on the global stage ever since. This book shows how a hierarchy born of the age of empire and determined by race and civilization has shaped perceived rights to sovereignty. From interactions with Native Americans, to influence in ex-Spanish colonies, interventions in decolonizing Latin America and the relationship between the US and the postcolonial ''third world'', it explores how America has shaped the ideology of independence through a racial lens. Exploring both the US''s own imperial undertakings, and its reaction to the end of European empire, The United States and Ends of Empire shows how the nation has shaped, and been shaped by, decolonization, empire and the postcolonial world.

About the author

Sean T. Byrnes is a General Education Instructor at Western Governors University and an Adjunct Associate Professor of History at the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is the author of Disunited Nations: U.S. Foreign Policy, Anti-Americanism, and the Rise of the New Right (2021). His work has appeared in publications including, Time, Dissent, The New Republic, Jacobin and Diplomatic History. He holds a Ph.D. in history from Emory University.

Product details

• Authors: Sean T Byrnes, Sean T. Byrnes
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 05.02.2026
• EAN: 9781350341661
• ISBN: 978-1-350-34166-1
• No. of pages: 304
• Series: New Approaches to International History
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Comparative and international political science; american, HISTORY / Civilization, HISTORY / World, HISTORY / United States / General, International Relations, Colonialism & imperialism, Indigenous Peoples, Colonialism and imperialism, History of the Americas, HISTORY / Indigenous / General, Indigenous peoples / Indigeneity