Podcast Summary: American Foreign Policy – Progressive Imperialism

Podcast: The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
Episode: American Foreign Policy: Progressive Imperialism
Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Jeremiah Regan, Juan Davalos
Lecture Instructor: [Speaker C; unnamed but typical of Hillsdale course structure]

Episode Overview

This episode delves into a transformative era in American foreign policy spanning 1898 through the end of World War I, a period marked by the arrival of "Progressive Imperialism." The hosts and lecturer explain how the ideals of Progressivism challenged the Founders’ original principles, leading to a more interventionist policy both domestically and abroad. The discussion highlights the philosophical and practical shifts that ushered in American interventions in places like Cuba, the Philippines, and ultimately involvement in World War I—an era that redefined America’s sense of its role in global affairs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Progressive Era’s Ideological Shift

• Progressivism and Outdated Founders’ Ideas
  • The Founders’ concept of government as protector of citizens' rights and as a non-interferer in the affairs of other nations was deemed outmoded by Progressives.
  • “The idea that government’s primary purpose is to protect the lives, liberty and property of American citizens ... is replaced by an idea that humanity is improving, civilization is developing, and we need to do everything we can, national boundaries not regarded, to further the progress of humanity.” – Jeremiah Regan (00:19)
• The Rise of the “Administrative State”
  • Progressives argued that modern complexity required governance by expert-led bureaucracies beyond legislative or constitutional constraints.
  • “It needs to be administered by experts ... These people know better and they'll do the right thing. They will be nonpartisan and ... administer justice fairly based on nonpartisan expertise.” – Speaker C (03:39)

2. From Monroe Doctrine to Progressive Imperialism

• Rejection of Non-Interference
  • Progressives rejected the Founders’ moral and practical commitment to non-interference, laying groundwork for direct colonial governance.
• Spanish-American War (1898)
  • Marked the U.S.’s entry into global imperialism by acquiring Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
  • “For the first time in its history, then, the United States is an imperial or colonial power. These words are still anathema to the American people.” – Speaker C (08:53)
• Motivations and Myths
  • Debate over the sinking of the USS Maine and influence of "yellow journalism" and "jingoism" in whipping up war fever.
  • William Randolph Hearst’s media campaigns are highlighted as a driving force.

3. Case Studies: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines

• Colonial Governance and Progressive Doctrine
  • The U.S. tried to “bring them up to American standards of civilization” in paternalistic, interventionist fashion.
  • The episode notes limited success and tension with self-determination.
• Consistency with Founders’ Vision
  • “I personally don't think ... the Founders would have believed that the United States was justified in holding these places as colonial possessions and interfering with their internal affairs, even with the best intentions.” – Speaker C (12:30)

4. The Roosevelt Corollary and Expansion of Intervention

• Modification of Monroe Doctrine
  • Teddy Roosevelt’s addition allowed U.S. intervention in Latin America for broad “national emergency” reasons.
  • “The Roosevelt Corollary greatly weakened [the Monroe Doctrine], greatly enlarged the United States idea of what justified its freedom of action ... all of that again was done or argued in the name of progressivism.” – Speaker C (15:02)
• Legacy of Interventions
  • Set precedent for frequent U.S. involvement in Central and South America.

5. World War I: The Ultimate Progressive Foreign Policy Test

• America’s Entry and Reasoning
  • Initially maintained neutrality; public eventually driven to support Allies, especially after the sinking of the RMS Lusitania (May 1915).
  • Discusses the interplay of national sentiment, complex alliances, “war fever,” and questions of neutrality.
• Woodrow Wilson’s Progressivism
  • Ran on a platform of keeping America out of war; entered war after reelection.
  • Sought not just victory but to “redraw the map of Europe along ... principles which he called the 14 points” (27:14) and to apply expert governance globally.
  • Irony of drawing inspiration from Prussian bureaucracy for expert rule while fighting against Germany.
• Big Four and Paris Peace Conference
  • “Wilson went overseas with an ambitious agenda ... Georges Clemenceau ... remarked that God himself had only ten commandments.” – Speaker C (28:20)
• Results and Reflections
  • Victory was costly—set the stage for another world war.
  • The episode closes by foreshadowing analysis of the postwar order and its failings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You may think that, but you would not from that be justified in thinking ... I ought to go in and take over these countries and rule them for their benefit.” – Speaker C (05:26), illustrating the Founders’ opposition to imperialism.
• “One of the rare times when a war was essentially forced on a President by Congress.” – Speaker C (07:29), on the Spanish-American War.
• “Much of what the United States tried to do in these acquired territories according to progressive doctrine was bring them up to American standards of civilization ... that didn't pan out, as we know.” – Speaker C (11:00)
• "The Roosevelt Corollary greatly weakened it ... and justified interventions that would be hard if not impossible to justify on the original understanding of the Monroe Doctrine." – Speaker C (15:40)
• “These are understandable human emotions, but we should never ever let them govern American foreign policy.” – Speaker C (20:07), referencing Washington's Farewell Address regarding immigrant loyalties and neutrality.
• “In perhaps one of the most cynical displays of electoral politics I can think of ... [Wilson] vowed to keep America out of the war ... and within a month of his second inauguration, America entered the war.” – Speaker C (26:12)
• “He came to the presidency believing that he had a certain type of expert knowledge in politics that would allow issues that ... could be resolved simply on the basis of subject matter expertise in a nonpartisan way. That's one of the great claims, underlying claims of progressivism.” – Speaker C (28:24)
• “The war was resolved in at least a nominal Allied victory. Germany gave up, signed an Armistice on November 11, 1918, and the victorious Allies gathered together at the palace of Versailles ... to set the terms and conditions of the post war world.” – Speaker C (29:22)

Important Timestamps

• 00:19 – The shift from Founders’ foreign policy restraint to progressive interventionism
• 03:39 – The rise of expert-led bureaucratic governance
• 07:29 – Congress pushing McKinley into the Spanish-American War
• 08:53 – The U.S. becomes a colonial power for the first time
• 11:00 – Progressive efforts in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines
• 12:30 – Consistency (or lack thereof) with Founders’ vision
• 15:02–15:40 – The Roosevelt Corollary’s impact on American interventionism
• 18:30 – Alliance dynamics leading up to World War I
• 20:07 – Washington’s warning against foreign influence in policy
• 24:40 – Sinking of the Lusitania and American opinion shift
• 26:12 – Woodrow Wilson’s promise and reversal regarding entering WWI
• 27:14–28:24 – Wilson’s progressive ambitions at the Paris Peace Conference
• 29:22 – The close of WWI and beginnings of the peace process

Episode Tone & Delivery

• The lecture is analytical and thoughtful, blending accessible storytelling with the college’s traditionally constitutionalist, Founders-oriented perspective.
• Notable is the recurring comparison between the Founders’ non-interventionist vision and the ambitions of Progressive imperialism, highlighting tension and irony with sharp but scholarly critique.

Summary

This episode offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of how Progressivism transformed American foreign policy at the turn of the 20th century, leaving a legacy of intervention and reshaping America’s global role. Through the lens of key events—from the Spanish-American War to World War I—and the personalities who propelled them, listeners gain an understanding of the philosophical and practical debates that continue to shape American policy today.