The Unknown Story of America's Rise to Supremacy After World War II
Event Type(s):
Speaker Program
Description:
In 1945, the Americans ran smack into an Anglo-Saxon colossus that had no intention to step aside let alone to be anyone's “junior partner.” The years thereafter are full of myths. For example, the United States, a self-contained continental island-state, traditionally fenced off by oceans and high tariffs, did not suddenly drop its insularity and transform itself into a world political-military force. Not until 1957 would the just-reelected Eisenhower administration assert what it called “a declaration of independence” from British authority. Today, we can't fully grasp such issues as U.S. insularity, European unity, the destabilization of the Middle East, and the rise of China without knowing what occurred.
Derek Leebaert writes books on history and on America's role in the world. He has led a global management consulting firm for twenty years, has taught at Georgetown and Harvard universities, is a former Smithsonian Fellow and a founding editor of both International Security and of The International Economy. His latest book, Grand Improvisation: America Confronts the British Superpower 1945-1957, provides a new understanding of the post WWII era, showing what occurred when the British Empire wouldn’t step aside for the rising American superpower – with global insights for today.
Event Date:
2/1/2019
Event Time:
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern
Location:
DACOR Bacon House 1801 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 UNITED STATES