U.S. territorial expansion can seem like a chapter of history that closed long ago. Yet questions about territory, sovereignty, and control of strategic places continue to surface today. Since World War II, a widely accepted norm against taking territory by force has kept the world’s borders relatively stable. But recent news headlines, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the Trump administration’s statements about Greenland, have raised questions about how firmly that norm still holds.
More than a century ago, the question of when, if ever, the United States should extend its borders beyond North America generated fierce debate across the country. This newsletter looks at that debate through primary sources, a discussion activity, and a resource on colonialism, to help students see how debates from the past still shape the way we talk about power, security, and self-determination today.
Happy learning,
Caroline Netchvolodoff
Vice President, Education
Council on Foreign Relations
This collection of resources facilitates critical analysis of the debate on whether the United States should expand its boundaries beyond North America, specifically by annexing the Philippines.
It contains a brief historical overview, a curated set of primary source documents, a short reading on the aftermath and legacy of the annexation, and a classroom discussion activity in which learners can synthesize their knowledge.
