American Imperialism Essay examples

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, America was working toward becoming an imperialistic nation. With such a change, government policies must evolve in order to adapt to its country's needs. However, there is a point in which new government policies can be detrimental to those involved. While America's government's changing role was certainly necessary in expanding the country, there were numerous instances in which the government became too imperialistically rapacious.

American imperialism has undergone varying transitions through its developmental stage in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and it was interpreted to be many things, including controversial to the original colonial beliefs. The United States rapidly took up the sport of becoming involved with foreign nations, and it was clear that through influence on these nations, the United States would grow in both territorial size and power in the global sense. America helped many Polynesian, Latin American, and Asian nations during this period, and most of the conversed issues was trade and foreign relations. The desire of territorial expansion was also in response to the blossoming ideal of Social Darwinism, where expansionism was justified if the United States was aiding struggling nations with their foreign and domestic policies. Although justified, Social Darwinism was an unethical approach to world power, and many perceived this step in American Imperialism as corrupt. The Panama Canal also held a large part in building American Imperialism. Creating this canal would determine which nation dominated the sea, and the United States was more than eager to pounce on the opportunity to increase their global influence. The United States dipped its hand into many global issues during and following the Gilded Age, and these hold the honor of molding American Imperialism, but its change over time was held up to debate by scholars in the Gilded age and by contemporary

Cuba is near Florida and we already had business associations with them. Also, the Spanish were trying to take over them. We were against the Spanish and we didn’t want them to expand so this lead to the Spanish- American War. This war also is fought over the Philippines. We ended up winning the war. We felt Cuba could expand and also maintain the business we already had. Also, if we go to when the Cold War was occurring, we were threatened that Cuba would join the USSR and become communists. The reason we wanted Panama was simply for the Panama Canal. We wanted the Panama Canal since it was a faster route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean so this would fasten the process of trade which means more business would be occurring so this would give us more wealth and power.

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

Imperialistic fervor was spreading more than ever during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The United States was eager to propel itself

American Imperialism has been a part of United States history ever since the American Revolution. Imperialism is the practice by which large, powerful nations seek to expand and maintain control or influence on a weaker nation. Throughout the years, America has had a tendency to take over other people's land. America had its first taste of Imperialistic nature back when Columbus came to America almost five hundred years ago. He fought the inhabitants with no respect for their former way of life, took their land, and proceeded to enslave many of these Native Americans. The impact of the 1820's and 1830's on American Imperialism is undeniable. Although the military power was not fully there during this time period, their ideals and foreign

In the 19th century the scramble for control was under way when the Americans, Japan, and the Germans entered, other countries struggling with their empires. In the late nineteen century became a new age of imperialism in where technology and communications brought empire’s within reach. Many counties were joining the hunt fort new colonies, Americans preferred an indirect imperialism. The concept was first popularized during James K. Polk presidency, where he led the United States into the Mexican-American War of 1846. America’s version was that to “export products, ideas, and influence”, they viewed it as a “pure” version so they can share their values of democracy, and Christianity.

With the late 19th century came a great change in the ideas of expansionism in the United States, but also a continuation of its ideals. The idea of imperialism, where the United States would extend its power around the globe, stood in contrast with the original Manifest Destiny ideal of the 1840s and 1850s when America was expanding west from ‘sea to shining sea.’ However, the inherent social and cultural sentiments were still present in the late 19th century expansionism, though the economic and political purposes had changed.

The mid-1800s through the early 1900s was known as the Age of Imperialism; dominant nations were all contesting to expand their power throughout much of the world. America was looking to expand out to the Pacific a, “New Manifest Destiny”. America was expanding its trade rapidly obtaining new grounds. In order to gain America as an ally, in 1898 The Cubans tried to inflame the relation between the Americans and Spain and succeeded by fueling American jingoism. America expanded in the late 19th century because of Social Darwinism, Economic Gain, Militarism, and the 1890’s Depression.

From the dawn of man, the different civilizations of mankind have been out to dominate and conquest the globe. To spread his/her’s power, authority, and culture across as vast an area humanly possible. Only in the last century have these ideals been diminished, but for the U.S. during the turn of the 20th century it faced a choice on this path. Was the U.S. to remain to the domain of the contiguous United States? Or was it destined to take foot on the global stage and claim land far from it’s shores? William Graham Sumner, an American sociologist and Albert Beveridge, a U.S. senator from Indiana both disagreed as to whether imperialism was right for the country. Beveridge argues that imperialism is beneficial to the U.S. by giving access to raw materials, while Sumner fears that imposing rule on someone who does not want to be ruled makes us the exact people that we declared our independence from. This is just one example from their different views on American Imperialism.

"American must begin to look outward. the growing production of the country demands it...." U.S Navy Officer Alfred T. Mahan perfectly describes the main reason why the American decided to try out imperialism. with the booming economy of the second industrial age, U.S was running out of almost everything except the increment of a worker from the immigrating groups. Rev Strong called it "survival of the fittest" now this claim is

The American Revolution was when the British colonies in America revolted against British rule for being taxed by people not even living on their land and gained independence by overthrowing British imperial rule under King George III. The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France, marking the decline of powerful monarchies and churches and the rise of democracy and nationalism. The French Revolution began less than two decades after the American Revolution. In many ways, the American experience was an inspiration for the citizens of France. But the people of the two countries had different situations and had different concerns, which influenced the way each revolution began, progressed, and ended.

One of the major reasons why American expansionism began at the turn of the twentieth century was the idea of Manifest Destiny. Originally, Manifest Destiny was described as the god given right for the United States to expand its territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. However, Americans believed that Manifest Destiny also included extending American control into other regions in the Western Hemisphere. This new Manifest Destiny became one of the justifications for the continuation of American Imperialism. Another idea that helped push for American Imperialism was Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism essentially states that “the strong will survive”, and that those who are meant to hold power in this world will do so. John Fiske, a

During the Second Industrial Revolution (1871-1914), the United States became one of the world’s mass producers of agricultural goods, which consumers demanded greatly. However, following the Depression of 1893, the demand for those goods dropped and the supply began to accumulate. This overproduction of goods pushed Americans to bring their markets overseas where they can reduce their inventory and still make profit. Aiding with the movement abroad was the U.S. government, under President McKinley. McKinley had a desire to expand the economy internationally, and his method to achieve that need was through imperialism. Such a method led Hawaii to be annexed with the U.S., as well as bring America into the Spanish-American War (1898). However, when the U.S. strove for the Philippine Islands in 1899, the natives rebelled against U.S. oppression. Whether America should get involved in an overseas war with the Philippines is up to Congress? But to New York Governor and former Rough Rider, Theodore “Tedi” Roosevelt, he believes that the U.S. should approach the challenge, for it will show other nations that America is a strong country and does not fear danger.

American Imperialism has been a part of United States history ever since the American Revolution. Imperialism is the practice by which large, powerful nations seek to expand and maintain control or influence on a weaker nation. Throughout the years, America has had a tendency to take over other people's land. America had its first taste of Imperialistic nature back when Columbus came to America almost five hundred years ago. He fought the inhabitants with no respect for their former way of life, took their land, and proceeded to enslave many of these Native Americans. The impact of the 1820's and 1830's on American Imperialism is undeniable. Although the military power was not fully there during this time period, their ideals and foreign