Essay On Theodore Roosevelt Imperialism

Imperialism in America was a critical period of growth and development for the new upstart world power. At this point in time America reached a sphere of influence and was the first time that it was recognized as a world power. The Imperial era in America is most notable for its growth and expansionist motives led in particular by one of America’s most interesting presidents. Throughout his time in the government Roosevelt saw the acquiring of new territories from Spain in the ever-so brief Spanish American war including Guam and the Philippines. During his tenure in office he also saw the construction of the Panama Canal, a crucial waterway that is still one of the most heavily traveled ports in the world. Matthew Perry was a great american

Roosevelt was not meant to live the active and illustrious life that he had, being born sickly and an asthmatic it would have been the expectation that he would live his life bedridden and die at a young age1. He ended up doing exactly the opposite and living one of the most impactful lives in American history. Roosevelt’s life was crucial in charting the course for America’s ascent to a world power during the Imperial

One of the imperialist actions Roosevelt took during his time in government was the strengthening of the Navy which was later dubbed “The Great White Fleet” and sent on a worldwide tour to showcase the strength of the American military. While many government officials make decisions regarding war, it is very rare that they ever fight in one. Roosevelt did both, as a high ranking officer in the United States Navy, he gave orders to the fleet as the assistant Secretary of the Navy while his superior, John Davis, was away, to blockade Cuba in the Spanish- American War. A war which he would later fight in as the leader of a volunteer regiment known as the “Rough Riders” made up of a variety of demographics including immigrants and African-Americans 2. The construction of the Panama Canal was possibly Roosevelt’s greatest contribution to the Imperialist movement during his tenure in office3. The Canal not only made trade even more accessible for Latin American nations and Asian countries including China. America’s current portrayal as the policemen of the world also stems from actions taken by Roosevelt known as the Roosevelt Corollary 4. Possibly the greatest attribute to Roosevelt’s Imperialist legacy was his negotiation to the end of the Russo-Japanese War for which he received a Nobel Peace Prize