ABSTRACT
Victory in World War II transformed the American self-conception of itself as a 'city on the hill' example to the rest of the world into that of a superpower actively responsible for defending the 'free' countries of the world from Soviet designs. Although Wilson's system, manifested in the creation of new states on the basis of self-determination and the establishment of the League of Nations, failed to prevent a second world war, this was viewed from America as another European failure for which the United States had no culpability. The rancor and hysteria that this event provoked in the United States is difficult to fathom absent an adequate comprehension of the American self-conception of its global destiny. The interpretation of events facilitated the American decision not to offer diplomatic recognition to the Beijing regime. Continuous combat in wars of choice against non-state enemies has increased the number of potential US enemies, weakened American military capability.
