The Peaceful Founding Fathers?

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Non-interventionists today often claim that their foreign policy is that of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, who sought to make the U.S. a peaceful, neutral nation. Yes, it is true, the founders wanted to avoid European wars. But they sure didn't object to conquering the bejesus out of anyone in the Americas. Many of them took it for granted that the United States would one day, and one day not too far off, incorporate Florida, Cuba, Canada, and Mexico. And they didn't mind the idea of using war to incorporate them. There were even those who wanted to carry war to the Spanish colonies in South America. Forcing the Indians beyond the Mississippi was seen as a natural move.

This post is not meant as an argument for imperialism. It is an argument for making your case stand on its own, rather than invoking mythical figures to justify it.


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