19th Century Dbq Essay

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During the late 19th century and early 20th century the U.S continued it past expansion from Manifesto Destiny and the progressive era by the debates of racial superiority and constitutional rights but, it also was a departure from the previous expansion era by the U.S expanded our foreign relationships, not using the idea of isolationism, and the use of different foreign policies. In 1885 was a transition year with Cleveland being the President at the time who had to deal with the political machines. Thomas Nast being a famous cartoon artist of his time, used his talent to exposed the corrupt people such as “Boss tweed” and Tammany Hall who used the machine to their benefits. The cartoon labels “The World’s Plunders” shows different countries …show more content…

This policy included the U.S being an authority figure and the phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick” came about. Theodore Roosevelt himself said in his Annual message to Congress that the U.S don't want land,but simply just want to see that our neighboring country are stable and will help them get back on their feet. (Document F) This document also mentions the Monroe Doctrine, which was used as an excuse to help foreign neighboring countries and the U.S would interfere and help them out until they were stable. Later with Wilson’s presidency one might note the shift from big stick to moral to back up our reasonings to infer with other countries problems. For example countries like the Philippines and Cuba were country the U.S help their cause and the U.S became a “helicopter parent” by not letting them do certain things like trade with certain countries. Another one of Roosevelt’s beliefs for the big stick policy was to decided to do is build a stronger navel base that way he could protect Americans if something was to happen and we needed a strong navy (such as WWI. with unrestricted submarine warfare ) Alfred T. Mahan who wrote “The interest of America in Sea Power: Little, Brown states that America should have bases further out than off the coast of America but to do so, one must have land in foreign territory or have a good solid foreign …show more content…

In 1901 the Jim Crow laws were in act in many cities/states in the U.S, with this separate but equal thinking many people would believe they had the racial superiority. In many southern states the African American areas do no come close to being called equal to the whites area. Thous having the rascal conflict that Josiah Strong pointed out. In his writing compares the superiority of Anglo-Saxons and how they would thrive in many situations. (Document B) Josiah Strong other purpose was to show the Christian justification for American imperialism and that we should civilize and Christianize South America. Another reason the U.S had a continuation of expansion was the U.S was still having conflicts over if the constitution would allow the U.S to expand into new territories. Downes v. Bidwelll court case is a great example of this. The court case put on trial (Insular case) if the U.S should allow the counties we helped out and are hovering them if they have the same rights as Americans. (Document H) At the end of the trial it is deemed that the U.S does not give them full American rights. Even before the expansion era the U.S was debating if many thing were constituan and this case is an example that we still reflect back to our roots and decide if its allowed or

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