Josiah Strong and the Superiority of the Anglo-Saxon Race: Justifying Late 19th Century American Expansionism

Josiah Strong articulated the belief that the Anglo-Saxon race was destined to dominate the world due to its inherent strength and energy, suggesting that this race's superiority would lead to a natural 'survival of the fittest' as they expanded into new territories. His perspective reflects a continuation of American exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny, aimed at justifying late 19th-century expansionism. However, Strong's emphasis on a competitive racial hierarchy introduced a more aggressive justification for expansionism than seen in earlier ideologies, highlighting a significant shift in U.S. policy towards a belief in racial superiority.