In some circles, “empire” is a dirty word. It connotes tyranny and authoritarianism, the use of military power to exert control, and the abuse and subjugation of defeated peoples. Others argue that “empire” is something for which nations should strive to become. It suggests a level of power and influence often unparalleled and it ensures that the empire enjoys autonomy and independence on a regional, and sometimes global, scale. What if the truth about empire is somewhere between the good and the bad? In this course, we will utilize the history of empires in North America to better understand the development of the United States and its role in the hemisphere and the world. The study of empires presents a unique venue to view the interaction, and often the clash, of different cultures and disparate world views. In tracing the development of empires on the continent from 1776 to the present, we will utilize environmental, military, political, social, and economic history to explore how the history of empires can inform our understanding of empires today, affording us the chance to better appreciate the sometimes inspirational and sometimes ugly – but always complex – history of the United States.