Hughe:  The history you cite is, in my view, the history of "American Exceptionalism"    definition: "American exceptionalism may view the United States through the lens of a special historical determinism for the United States, separate from broad historical trends in the rest of the world. It may, for a variety of reasons, view the U.S. as a nation that is immune (or should be immune) from things like terrorism and dictatorship — "It can't happen here." The U.S. in turn is supposed to assume an activist role around the world in promoting "freedom" or being a "shining example" to the world (the "City on a Hill"). This sort of presumptive moral superiority is virtually never welcomed by other nations, and is often almost always resented, particularly when the U.S. has a long history of engaging in gunboat diplomacy itself. "   I see it as the belief that "we are special"..."we have all the answers".... "just follow our lead and all will be well"

Sounds a bit like Mr. Trump, doesn't it