American BehemothAt times growing like a cancer across the planet and at other times acting as a rapid military force, America is the world's greatest superpower. Small states are a thing of the past and have no future. . The modern movement is entirely oriented towards the concentration of peoples and territories into great nations and great dominions. The great nations are rapidly absorbing, for their future expansion and their present defense, all the uncultivated places of the earth…. As one of the greatest nations in the world, the United States must not stray from the line of march. -Senator Henry CabotWhether cultural, economic or military, America's influence is felt in every corner of the world. When the founding fathers wrote the constitution, they envisioned a young country growing into an empire. From presidential politics to presidential underhandedness, imperialism is visible in every administration. This was justified in the name of democracy and as being necessary for the economy. Whatever face it is given, imperialism has always been part of the American way. Lewis and Clark Expedition One of the earliest examples of American imperialism can be seen in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. These all-American heroes embarked on an expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase in 1803. During this three-year expedition, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark studied the flora and fauna, discovered resources and mapped one of the largest purchases America ever made. But in exploring Mississippi, these two men did much more than just explore on behalf of Thomas Jefferson. The territory was purchased from France for $15 million and during their trip, Lewis and Clark led the way in declaring that Ame... middle of paper ...... accounted for 85 for cent of global box office sales. McDonald's has more than 300,000 restaurants in one hundred countries. What does this mean? Local culture is gradually being eliminated by American methods. According to a study carried out in 1996, 85% of teenagers around the world watch MTV. Nike shoes and Gap jeans are sold all over the world, but ironically, they are not made in the United States. The McDonald's arches are said to be "more recognizable than the Christian cross". CNN, the world's largest television conglomerate, can be subscribed to in more than 150 million homes in 212 countries. Born from rebellious colonies seeking independence, America became a global superpower. Its military power and influence are matched only by its global cultural influence. From presidential imperial politics to corporate domination, American imperialism is more prevalent today than ever..