In 1796, George Washington announced his intention to retire as President of the United States. That same year, he bid goodbye to the country in what became known as the "Farewell Address," in which he adviced his fellow Americans to avoid "foreign entanglements." In his view, America should mind its own business and stay out of the affairs of other nations.

The U.S. followed his advice for the most part until the late 1800s, when the country became involved in foreign ventures from Latin America to Asia. And, as the chapter's introduction points out in its discussion of the recent war in Afghanistan, this has become the norm in the years since.

Has America been far too willing to meddle in the affairs of other nations since the late 1800s?