American Imperialism Essay

993 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Japan enters World War Two

American imperialism in the 1800s is the primary cause of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. When Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to open ports of trade in Japan the clock began ticking as to when Japan and America would go to war against each other. Perry’s show of modern military armaments sent the nation that was control by a feudal war lord the Shogun into a state of chaos, and the eventual forced removal of the Shogunate. The subsequent infusion of militarism and modernism in Japan led to a need raw materials. America was a premier producer of oil and trade between the two nations was established. Germany and Great Britain supplied Japan with military training and equipment. Japan traded for scrap metals of all types which they smelted into high grade steel, and they began to create their own modern military. However, America nor the West could not supply Japan with all of their needs and wants, therefore Japan followed the western plan of imperialism.
They attacked China, Manchuria, fought with Russia in the Russo-Japanese war, took control of
Most lost everything as Americans cleaned out their homes, and city or government officials sold off their property. On the West coast air raid drills were common place as were nightly black out and shore patrols were established along the Pacific and Atlantic shore lines.
In the end Japanese fanaticism and their unwillingness to surrender caused an American president to use atomic weapons on two cites in Japan. The fallout for this action was not just seen instantly, but seen for generations to come, and may be a primary reason why no one has since used the so called weapons of mass destruction. However, many believe that the incendiary bombs dropped night after night on Tokyo, and other cities in Japan may have caused even greater damage than the Atomic

Show More
Related

  • European Imperialism of China and Japan

    402 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the early 1800’s, Japan had blocked off all trade from other countries. Foreign whaling ships could not even reload or repair their ships in Japan territory. This offended many other countries. In 1852, Matthew Perry was sent to Japan to negotiate open trade. Japan felt threatened by the United States, and gave in to their demands. Japan was frightened by their stipulations, and immediately began to reform. They developed a new education system that was similar to America and Europe’s. They also developed a Western style judiciary system.

    Read More

  • American Imperialism In The 19th Century

    1219 Words  | 3 Pages

    The 19th century set the stage for different policies that lead to the extending of America’s power, which is defined as imperialism. Imperialism started for different reasons like the Americans wanting the U.S. to expand or explore the unknown land, or even some feared existing resources in U.S. might eventually dry up. The reason imperialism started doesn’t really matter, but more of what it caused. Imperialism lead to Cuban assistance, the addition of Hawaii and Alaska to America, and Yellow Journalism.

    Read More

  • Imperialism Dbq Essay

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imperialism is when a mother nation takes over another nation and become its colony for political, social, and economical reasons. Imperialism is a progressive force for both the oppressors (mother country) and the oppressed (colony), majorly occurring during the late 19th and early 20th century. It had more negative effects than positive effects due to its domination to other nations.

    Read More

  • European Imperialism Dbq Essay

    549 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the 19th century, European Imperialism had a major effect on Africa. As countries expanded in terms of wealth, resources, and innovation, more territory and workers were needed. The first solution to solve these problems was to begin colonizing in Africa. The driving force for imperialism in Europe and Africa was mainly economical. This economical approach was established through many ways including cultural and nationalistic ideas.

    Read More

  • The American Imperialism

    556 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the civil war, United States took a turn that led them to solidify as the world power. From the late 1800s, as the US began to collect power through Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines, debate arose among historians about American imperialism and its behavior. Historians such as William A. Williams, Arthur Schlesinger, and Stephen Kinzer provides their own vision and how America ought to be through ideas centered around economics, power, and racial superiority.

    Read More

  • Britain And Imperialism Essay

    1785 Words  | 4 Pages

    When it comes to imperialism and colonialism, Great Britain is a major employer of the two concepts. Though, at one point in history many regions of the influential country was ruled over by another. The entity which ruled over the kingdoms of England and Wales for over four centuries was the Holy Roman Empire.

    Read More

  • German Imperialism Essay

    1462 Words  | 3 Pages

    German imperialism, though mainly isolated to Africa it has had a colossal impact on the world as it is today. The effects of their policies, atrocities and advancements cannot be measured.(Lynn pg.20) The effects they had stretch from directly influencing the First World War, and as minuscule as reorganizing world borders. Their massacre of indigenous peoples at Woohvi, and other colonies taught the world what monsters can lay beneath a clean cut surface. Also their advancements in military tactics and technology as well as trade and commerce are still models that people look to today. It was for the good of the fatherland they said, but is the advancement of a culture truly worth the loss of another? This was not a question the Germans asked of themselves when laying waste to the culture and peoples that had the misfortune of residing in their African holdings.

    Read More

  • Western Imperialism Essay

    741 Words  | 2 Pages

    Western imperialism in the 1800s and early 1900s had positive, negative, and long-lasting effects in countries like India, regions of South East Asia, and Africa. There were many social, economic, and political changes. For example, in Hawaii there was an abundance of sugar cane crops and the U.S sought out to make money by occupying Hawaii. This was beneficial for the businessmen because they were receiving large quantities of money. However, the local peoples deeply opposed the selling of their crops. Throughout the course of imperialism in the 1800s and early 1900s, many other countries and regions such as India, regions of South East Asia, and Africa were faced with hardships while the imperialists raced to gain the most control.

    Read More

  • Imperialism Essay

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    The 1800's were a renowned era in European history. With the rise of imperialism came the ruthless desire to seek new land through the use of authoritative implications. Whether it be the discovery of the Americas, where Christopher Columbus discovered various islands, which were clustered with indigenous people that were eventually completely wiped out for the pure desire of Spaniard power. This craving to "assimilate" indigenous people and to convert them to Christianity was an element, which rooted 19th century Europe. Although the actual question to whether these actions were good or evil are up for debate. Imperialism has been viewed as an expansion that serves only ones "object" and that it has no purpose beyond the benefit of the "self". This paper will explain Imperialism through a sociological perspective, while blending in notions of capitalism and modern day Imperialism that may now be viewed as Globalism.

    Read More

  • Prompt and Utter Destruction

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1945, the United States was facing severe causalities in the war in the Pacific. Over 12,000 soldiers had already lost their lives, including 7,000 Army and Marine soldiers and 5,000 sailors (32). The United States was eager to end the war against Japan, and to prevent more American causalities (92). An invasion of Japan could result in hundreds of thousands killed, wounded and missing soldiers, and there was still no clear path to an unconditional surrender. President Truman sought advice from his cabinet members over how to approach the war in the Pacific. Although there were alternatives to the use of atomic weapons, the evidence, or lack thereof, shows that the bombs were created for the purpose of use in the war against Japan. Both the political members, such as Henry L. Stimson and James F. Byrnes, and military advisors George C. Marshall and George F. Kennan showed little objection to completely wiping out these Japanese cities with atomic weapons (92-97). The alternatives to this tactic included invading Japanese c...

    Read More

  • Spanish American Imperialism Essay

    2526 Words  | 6 Pages

    Immediately following the war with Spain, the United States had both the political will to pursue imperial policies and the geopolitical circumstances conducive to doing so. But the way in which these policies would manifest was an open question; was the impulse to actively remake the world in America’s Anglo-Saxon image justified? Hence, there were several models of American imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century. In the Philippines, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Samoa, the United States asserted unwavering political control. In Cuba, and later throughout most of the Caribbean basin, the economic and political domination of customarily sovereign governments became the policy. Ultimately, the United States was able to expand its territory

    Read More

  • Essay On European Imperialism

    1445 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many inventors and inventions affected the world politically, economically, and socially. Scientific advances, navigational advances, and technological advances affected the world in many ways. These inventions were especially useful for European nations in battles, in exploration, and in imperialism. The characteristics of European imperialism affected many countries in the world and changed history. Also, European imperialism had a huge effect on Asian and African nations in many ways. They took over many countries, enslaved people, and imperialized.

    Read More

  • The Rise of American Imperialism

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Rise of American Imperialism The idea of American Imperialism has both its advocates and its critics. One only needs to look at a map to see which side won. America has greatly expanded since its own phase as a colony of the greatest European Empire of the time. America became her own Empire through the accusation of vast territories through many different means.

    Read More

  • Marxism And Imperialism Essay

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imperialism and the hegemonic stability theory are used in different period of time which helps the countries to expand themselves. Firstly, let’s look at the neo-Marxist theories of imperialism. It refers to imperial government that is ruled by an emperor to earn and hold colonies and dependencies by extending the rules or authority of a nation over foreign countries. The key representatives of the theories of neo-Marxist on imperialism are Sweezy, Paul Baran, Andre Gunder Frank and Amin. Sweezy states that imperialism is a stage in the development of world economy. (Baran, Paul, and Paul Sweezy, 1968)He pointed out that there are several reasons such as the dominant form of capital is the monopoly capital and the rivalry in the world market had led to cutthroat competition and international monopoly combines. For Baran, he thinks that there is a clear connection between monopoly capitalism and imperialism. (Baran, Paul, and Paul Sweezy, 1968) Imperialism is an integral portion of the political and economic order of capitalism, it is unavoidable characteristic of a system of international domination and global capitalism. The control of imperialist powers over undeveloped nations means that there is a lack of industrialization and the stagnation of the economies of the undeveloped countries which is leaded by the advanced capitalist countries.

    Read More

  • The Manchurian Crisis

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...high power status, Japan had to have a self-reliant industrial common ground and be able to move all human and material resources (S,195). Through the Shogun Revolution of 1868, the abolition of Feudalism in 1871, the activation of the national army in 1873, and the assembly of parliament in 1889, the political system of Japan became westernized (Q,3). Local Labor and commercial assistance from the United States and Europe allowed Japan’s industry to bloom into a developed, modern, industrial nation (Q,3). As a consequence production surplus, and food shortage followed (Q,3). Because of how much it relied on aid of western powers, Japan’s strategic position became especially weak. In an attempt to break off slightly from the aid of the west Japanese leaders believed that it would be essential for Japan to expand beyond its borders to obtain necessary raw materials.

    Read More

More about American Imperialism Essay

Open Document