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Imperialism in America At the turn of the century, America and the views of its people were changing. Many different ideas were surfacing about issues that affected the country as a whole. The Republican Party, led by William McKinley, were concentrating on the expansion of the United States and looking to excel in power and commerce. The Democratic Party at this time was led by William Jennings Bryan, who was absorbed in a sponge of morality and was concerned with the rights of man. The nation’s self-interest was divided into different ideas between the two parties. At this time imperialism and anti-imperialism were the dominant topics regarding America’s destiny. One argument backing U.S. imperialism is by naval strategist, Alfred Thayer Mahan. At this time, Great Britain had the strongest sea power. Mahan states that America’s navy must be as strong to compete in trade and war. Expansion would aid exports, and more naval power would grant the ability to overcome obstacles such as a dispute between the U.S. and another country. Most importantly, Mahan states that the world is in struggle and the U.S. must protect itself to survive. Another argument in favor of U.S. imperialism was that of Albert J. Beveridge. Beveridge argued that it was the duty of Americans to govern others, he felt that if Britain and Germany could, then why not America as well. In response to the opposition that stated that people should not govern those who do not wish to be governed Beveridge responded that, “…applies only to those who are capable of self government,” (Beveridge 1898), and as he and many others saw it, foreign lands were not capable of self- government. Additionally, Beveridge argued that there was too much in America. He stated that there are too many employees and not enough jobs, too much capital and not enough investment; he felt that all the U.S. needed was more circulation. Invading and taking over foreign lands was just the way to do it. An additional argument in favor of U.S. imperialism was that of Charles Denby and his explanation of why we should not give up the ‘foothold’ we have in the Philippines. According to Denby, commerce was the most important factor to a nation’s well-being. Denby felt that by keeping hold in the Philippines China’s market was much more easily accessible. China having a very profitable market and t... ... middle of paper ... ...lists wanted to do was to make the nation better and stronger, which was all in the best interest of the U.S.. The United States became an extremely strong military power due to the decisions at this time. Due to the drive of the development of America at the present time, our nation was a dominant power in World War I in 1916. Furthermore the U.S. has been a dominant world power for years to come all the way to present day. Finally, the imperialist view at the turn of the century was a movement to stabilize the economy, improve trade among other nations, and offer protection to make the lives of Americans better and easier. Sources Cited Albert J. Beveridge Endorses Imperialism. Speech, September 16, 1898. Modern Eloquence, v.11(Philadelphia: John D. Morris and Co., 1903), pp.224-243. The Siren Song of Imperialism: McKinley Prays for Guidance. Report from an interview, January 22, 1903. C.S. Olcott, The Life of William McKinley, v.2 (1916), pp.110-111. “Find the Constitution” Philadelphia, North American, 1901 Address to the Voters of the United States. National Liberty Congress of Anti-Imperialists. Indianapolis,IN,August 15-16,1900.(http://www.boondocksnet.com).
Between 1895 and 1920, the years in which William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson reigned in the presidents, the United States struggled for not only justice at home but abroad as well. During this period policies such as Roosevelt’s Big Stick diplomacy, William Taft’s Dollar diplomacy, and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral diplomacy were all used in foreign affairs in hopes of benefit for all involved. However, it would be appropriate to say that self-interest was the most important driving factor for American policy and can be exemplified through economic, social, and political relations.
Throughout the course of history, nations have invested time and manpower into the colonizing and modernizing of more rural governments. Imperialism has spread across the globe, from the British East India Company to France’s occupation of Northern Africa. After their founding in 1776, the United States of America largely stayed out of this trend until The Spanish-American War of 1898. Following the war, the annexation and colonization of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines ultimately set a precedent for a foreign policy of U.S. imperialism.
American foreign policy during the 1890s was based on many factors that each acted as an individual justification for our country’s behavior as a whole. Racism, nationalism, commercialism, and humanitarianism each had its own role in the actions America took against other nations.
Albert J. Beveridge, “Senator Albert J. Beveridge Supports an American Empire, 1898” ," in Major Problems in American Immigration History, ed. Mae M Ngai and Jon Gjerde (Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013), 267
From western expansion to foreign imperialism the United States has always been an expansionist country. Early America’s focus was to conquer the natives and obtain western land within North America, but in the latter of America’s history, specifically in the nineteenth and twentieth century, foreign imperialism became the new focus. America’s activity in foreign imperialism was a continuation and departure of the United States’ early expansionism. It was a continuation in terms of manifest destiny, the spread of Christianity, and by the concept of “the city on a hill” and a departure in terms of foreign involvement.
Marx and Engels saw both the proletariat and the bourgeoisie as an outgrowth of feudal society. They argued that the bourgeoisie emerged as a result of exploration and discovery of new land, ...
1) In the 1890s, U.S. territory expansion changed from a westward march over contiguous territory meant to be settled; to an Imperialist policy to gain already populated colonies for military bases and trade posts. Prior to 1890, the United States was gaining territory to be settled by Americans and to possibly become future states. The frontier was now populated and opportunity was decreasing. Industrialization had increased productivity, and foreign markets were now essential. Europe was expanding quickly in Africa and Asia and there was concern about access to those markets. There was also a shift in public opinion of imperialism, away from viewing it as contradictory with republican ideals, and towards a moral duty to help backward nations and their people become more like the U.S., better. The U.S. became more involved in foreign affairs because it affected their continued success and growth. The Monroe Doctrine and Pan-Americanism reflected the goal of the U.S. reaching out influence beyond just its borders.
Within this chapter of the book, Zinn mainly discusses American Imperialism and examines its necessity for the development of the United States during the 1890s. Zinn stated that several desires encouraged imperialism. Such as, overseas expansion and the fact that America constantly wanted to be the dominant world power, featuring an authoritative military. Theodore Roosevelt infamously influenced this. He then goes on to reveal the mixed reactions from Americans.
One of the differences was timing, with the newly founded United States achieving independence some thirty years before the Latin American colonies. This gave the U.S. a decided advantage over its southern counterparts, as the U.S. economy and government were already established by the 1810s, just as the Latin colonies began to pull away from Spain. Because of this establishment, the U.S. was able to exert its influence over Latin America from the beginning of its process of independence. Perhaps the strongest example of this was the Monroe Doctrine. Stated by President Monroe in 1823 as a warning to Europe that the Americas were closed to future colonization, it also indicated the intention of the U.S. to dominate the
Economics becomes a large factor in the American imperialism; but more specifically that expansion in foreign markets is a vital part in the growth of America. As historian Charles Beard puts it, “[it] is indispensable to the prosperity of American business. Modern diplomacy is commercial. Its chief concern is with the promotion of economic interests abroad” (Kinzer 81). Williams provides that the people of United States wanted this change to culminate in the business. “A great many farm businessmen were in trouble, and if they voted together they could control national policy. There was, in truth, a crisis before the Cri...
The Bourgeois emerged from “the ruins of feudal society” that once ruled Europe and went on to establish their rule the Industrial Revolution (textbook 708). The Industrial Revolution saw the innovation of the steam engine and machines that could do the same work skilled craftsmen did at half the price in factories. In his “Draft of Communist Confession of Faith” The Communist Manifesto co-author Friedrich Engels traces the development of the Proletariat
During the late 19th and 20th century, the United States pursues an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its political, military, and economic influence across the globe. The events during this ‘age of imperialism’ laid the foundation for America’s international power while simultaneously defining the use of the these powers. The policy that the United States implemented at this time is known as Big Stick Diplomacy which was to speak softly but carry a big stick. This meant that the United States would ask for something or take a stance on an issue and if another nation refused or went against the United States, then the military would be summoned to ‘resolve’ the issues. This domineering foreign policy defined the politics of American Imperialism that was especially prevalent from 1890-1913.
The 1904 World’s Fair was used by the government to sway public opinion in support of America’s current foreign policy matters. Imperialism and colonization of Puerto Rico and Philippine Islands. Show the US needed to teach them how to be civilized. In an article from the August 25th, 1904 issue of the Monroe City Democrat, the Philippine Exposition is given high praise and recommended “to the student of ethnology, of economics, or politics, it is of paramount importance, to the average visitor who seeks merely novelty and sensation, it is without
Imperialism is defined as a policy to dominant other countries and rule them. Then, these new colonies surrender their markets, industries, and resources to their invaders. “US imperialism, supported by US politicians, was intended to bring profits to US manufacturers (capitalists)…” (lecture4-p13). Although the period of 1890-1910 is usually known as “the age of the US imperialism”, the US imperialism is not limited to that era. Overseas imperialism began during 1890-1910 with the invasion of Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, which was an attempt to expand the American’s territory to reach natural resources such as minerals, timber, oil, and land. These new territories could also provide corporations with cheap workers and military bases. There have been numerous other examples of the US imperialism. Starting from North America, the US government took over the Pacific Ocean and found its way into Asia. “A State Department list... shows 103 interventions in the affairs of other countries between 1798 and 1895” (Zinn-12), including Argentina, Uruguay, China, Angola, Nicaragua, and Japan to protect American’s interests in those countries. The same motivation was pursued in attacking Vietnam. According to Zinn, the main reason of the US intervention in WWII was to follow its imperial interests. “For those interests, in the thirties, an anti-Soviet
Humans are imperfect. It 's crucial and enlightening to step out of ourselves once a while and look back as a third person. Solicit and appreciate honest feedback that shows us our weaknesses, so that we can work on it to be real, not perfect. However, for some of us, it 's not easy and I understand it. It 's not about how senior we are, how rich we are or even how talented we are, but it 's about how real we are to accept the fact that we are still imperfect.