US Pivots to Asia, 1890s-1950s

(5 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This module charts in 11 weeks the history of U.S.-Asian relations from the U.S. entrance into Asia as a colonial power to the legacy of the Second World War. It engages with comparisons and connections across a broad variety of U.S.-Asian relationships: their cultural, economic, social and political aspects. It asks how transnational and international forces between U.S. and Asian societies and governments shaped key dynamics of the global twentieth century. Giving attention to the social basis of transnational and international relations, we will examine how and why U.S. and Asian migrants, lobbyists, NGOs and other private actors developed a sustained impact on global politics. In terms of ideology, this period saw a stronger, if intermittent, support for U.S. overseas expansion than ever before (in the Philippines, Japan, China and elsewhere). In economic respect, U.S. business capital followed and penetrated increasingly global, Asian markets. In diplomacy, Washington became morally and strategically entangled with new enemies, competitors and partners in Asia and elsewhere. In none of these developments did the U.S. act alone or necessarily act first. All across, the global dimension of U.S.-Asian interactions carried lessons and warnings of history. Our discussions and analyses will incorporate that on any issue, at least two possible perspectives could clash. We will juxtapose the perspectives, interests, actions and arguments of U.S. and Asian actors to understand social, political and cultural counterparts. The course will be sensitive to U.S.-Asian configurations that paralleled developments in the Pacific and Europe.