Emergence of New American Century

Who coined the 'American Century'

Media magnate Henry Luce in a "Life" magazine article on 17 February 1941, months before America's entry into WWII

Luce's description of America

The "most powerful and vital" nation - American exceptionalism

Shift away from isolationism

Luce urged a shift away from the "virus of isolationist sterility" encapsulated in the Monroe Doctrine of not interfering in Europe

Luce quote on global responsibility

"Sickness of the world is also our sickness" - the US should play a larger role in world affairs

Luce's vision: free trade

US as promoter of global free trade - Ricardian theory with open seas and skies

Luce's vision: knowledge

Proliferation of American knowledge and skills

Luce's vision: humanitarianism

US moral obligation to be a "good Samaritan" solving humanitarian crises e.g. hunger

Luce's vision: ideals

Promotion of American ideals of justice, charity, state sovereignty and self-determination

Spread of American culture

Internationalism already present in Hollywood, clothing, jazz and technology

Atlantic Charter

August 1941 - Roosevelt and Churchill outlined principles that would shape the post-war world; represented a rejection of American isolationism

US position by the end of WWII

A superpower: its currency was a global reserve, it had a leading hand in establishing the UN, and it played a vital role in rebuilding Europe

US and Britain post-WWII

With British receding influence, the US replaced Britain as the "senior partner" in the trans-Atlantic alliance