Colossus: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Imperialism could not have been published at a better time. The latest from Wellred Books, the book traces the evolution of the United States from a subjugated collection of British colonies to the imperialist behemoth we know today. It achieves this through a detailed presentation of the major episodes in the history of U.S. imperialism, from the Mexican-American War of 1846 to America’s involvement in the Ukraine-Russia War, and analyzes them using the methods of Lenin’s writings on imperialism.
Colossus has been released at a critical moment in U.S. and global politics. Trump has been re-elected to a second term in office, promising a sharp turn towards protectionism and an expansion of U.S. influence and control in the western hemisphere—or in Trump’s words, a new “manifest destiny.” However, these ideas are hardly a new invention. Colossus explains how protectionism and the idea of “manifest destiny” have a long history in the U.S., as well as explaining their origins and past results.
For those living in Canada, it is impossible to make sense of our own country without also following events in the U.S.—as recent events make perfectly clear. But it is equally impossible to make sense of the U.S. today without studying its own history, and to do so using a definite historical method. Colossus is not only of interest to those having a fascination with U.S. history. More importantly, it is a valuable tool in better understanding our changing world today.
What’s inside Colossus
Colossus will be enjoyed by people at any level of familiarity with either Marxism or U.S. history. The book opens with a primer on the Marxist theory of imperialism, borrowing heavily from Lenin. This section serves as a useful introduction for those who have never read Lenin before or very little. For those already familiar with Lenin’s writings, it acts as a short but necessary refresher.
Having established its method, the book then applies it to some 400 years of U.S. history. This occupies the greater part of Colossus, and includes events with which even a seasoned reader might have only a passing familiarity. One example is a section dealing with the brutal U.S. occupation of the Philippines in the first half of the 1900s. This came at a time when many believed the U.S. would chart a different, more humanitarian course in its foreign dealings than the European powers of old. Colossus shows that though the names of imperialist powers may change, their methods remain all too similar.
But Colossus doesn’t only deal with history. In the chapter “Imperialism Today,” the book also deals with the nature of U.S. imperialism in its current period of decline. In particular, it looks at the U.S.’s rivalry with China—now an imperialist force in its own right—and what it means for world relations. This rivalry predates Trump, being a feature of U.S. policy under Joe Biden and even Barack Obama. However, Trump 2.0 is poised to escalate the feud to an even greater degree. He is also more willing to borrow tools and ideas from America’s past to help accomplish his aims. This book makes a study of that past and uses it to explain the course of America’s future.
There are many books out there that chart the rise and fall of U.S. power. However, without a definite method such as Marxists employ, many of these fail to form a cohesive picture and fall short of connecting past to present. At some 270 pages covering 400 years of history, it is impossible to explain everything in detail. But the book more than compensates for this in the depth of understanding bestowed on the reader. More importantly, it will arm them with ideas to change the world today.
You can purchase Colossus, via our store, here.
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