American Imperialism According to Charley Reese, “ the truth is that neither British nor American imperialism was or is idealistic. It has always been driven by economic or strategic interests.” The United States got involved in imperialism because we felt that taking over land would give us new sources of raw materials. It would also open up new markets to sell food. Secondly, the United States thought they were superior to other countries. They wanted to spread their beliefs to other countries to “help” them; to teach them about their democracy and christianity. Lastly, they craved military power. By taking over other countries America was enhancing our Navy by building bases around the world. The United States got involved imperialism for …show more content…
Alfred T. Mahan (The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1890) said, “...[In colonies], the mother-country had won a foothold in a foreign land, seeking a new outlet for what it had to sell, a new sphere for its shipping, more employment for its people, and more comfort and wealth for itself …” This simply and clearly states that if you could control an amount of land that you would be able to establish outlets in which to sell products. There would be an increase in shipping. More people would be employed and the mother country by this would gain more wealth. This is relevant because the more economic power a country has the more stable and powerful it is. Albert J. Beveridge (In Support of an American Empire, 1900) says, “But to hold [the Philippines] will be no mistake. Our largest trade henceforth must be with Asia.” Beveridge is saying that if the American’s can be successful in taking the Philippines then we be able to trade with Asia. That Asia will be America’s largest trade. This is relevant because it aligns with the economic point of view of American imperialists. If we can trade with bigger, wealthier, more powerful countries. We will slowly grow the economy and wealth. The economy was a big part of the American imperialists views because money fuels everything if a country has money they have military power, they have economic power, and they have political …show more content…
That they can do better, that they should teach them their ways because their better. - Jose Marti (c. 1892) says, “Cuba’s children … suffer in indescribable bitterness as they see their fertile nation enchained and also their human dignity stifled … all for the necessities and vices of the [Spanish] monarchy.” Marti is insinuating Cuba does not like their Spanish leaders who have enslaved the Cubans and that America could be so much better and do so much more for Cuba. This matters because gaining these small countries like these through the cultural leadership that Mati insinuates would lead to the economic benefits that American imperialists also wanted. Albert J. Beveridge ("The March of the Flag", 1898) says, “Have we no mission to perform, no duty to discharge to our fellow-man? Has God endowed us with gifts beyond our deserts and marked us as the people of His [favor]?” Beveridge here insinuates that Americans are God’s chosen ones. By being the chosen one ones of someone that powerful (in that time period) they were saying that they believed that they were better than everyone else in fact they were rather saying we are perfect while everyone else does what they do wrong. This is important because this idea that we are better than everyone else led to the start of imperialism and to the other economic, military, and political hopes of
century, the outcome of the Spanish-American war divided Americans into those for and against the annexation of the Philippines. The masses supporting it saw the islands as a strong foothold for the country in Chinese markets, compared to the minority which believed the United States was founded to escape oppression and should not lead to doing the same upon others. America becoming an imperial power shifted the world stage, and opened opportunity in trade on the other side of the world. Annexing the Philippines changed how other countries saw the United States, but more importantly it changed how Americans feel about their country; citizens rallied around the flag after defeating Spain because surpassing the empire’s navy gave them something positive to think of after all the turmoil over the past hundred years (and still at the time over working/living conditions and inequality between races/genders). It gave the public a reason to be patriotic. If the United States did not annex the Philippines when it did, it would not have had the ability to become the strongest government in the world and increase exports throughout Asia, but at what cost? American leaders decided it would be a good power move, but did
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 1910, Europe was the city that rested upon a hill. It was home to countries that
In the late 1800s, United States was becoming a powerful industrial. Due to the growth of the nation; U.S. needed more resources for the industry. The solution was to imperialist other country. Imperialism is to expand the country power through the influence or military power. Many countries in Europe had become an imperialist nation; for example, British were in India, and the French were in Indochina. Most country around the world has been taken over by the European nation. United States realizes that if they did not get in the completion, then they would be left out. The reason United States become an imperialist nation were economy and military strength.
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century was a period of oversea expansion on colonization for the United States, an interesting new turn for the Americans that were arguably becoming more like their oppressive European counterparts that they had fought so diligently before against. Besides the cultural benefits, American believed that they were working in the greater good taking control over smaller countries that were much more disorganized, idea that we’re the ‘hero's’ (doc 7). Example going back to when United States was pushing to grow from coast to coast under the idea of "Manifest Destiny", the term used throughout the 1840s to describe Americans’ belief that they were destined by God to spread their beliefs across the continent. That idea died in name, but not in spirit, coming back under the title of imperialism; first starting with the annexation of Alaska in in the mid 1800’s, shortly after the end of slavery. The annexation of Alaska and following territories while physical land would also be followed by laws and policies that would change the National economy.
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.
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
What is American Imperialism? It is the influences that the United States makes on other countries. Some of the influences are economics, military, and culture. Expansionism is conquering those countries and taking over the land. Without imperialism and expansionism, our county would not be as big and productive as it is in today 's society.
Josiah Strong, a reverend and famous Protestant clergyman, wrote in his book, Our Country, about why the United States should support imperialism. He himself is American, but where exactly in America is unknown. It is important that this established, as it makes it easier to understand his motivations for promoting what he thinks are best interests for America. The exact date of this publication is not given, but further research states it is from 1885. At around 1885 was a period of time where imperialism was a concept which was spreading quickly to many large countries, and there were many who supported it in the United States. His book, given the quote, appears to embrace American imperialism for spreading the ideals of the United
A famous campaign speech, “The March of the Flag” was addressed by Albert J. Beveridge, a politician and historian. Beveridge is known as one of the great American imperialists. He expressed his views concerning about the US imperialism. He felt our land should not be taken for granted and is well worth fighting for. Beveridge states a lot of positive aspects about it in his speech. He even opens with a powerful attention grabbing statement "It is a noble land that god has given us land that can feed and clothe the world, a land whose coastlines would enclose half the countries of Europe", he gives the audience all these positive images of our land and America and raises the question if they can govern different land why can 't America. Beveridge was hopeful for an appointment to the U.S. Senate by the Indiana legislature, and the issue of expansionism was of importance to the nation. His remarks suggest a special destiny for America, a destiny built upon superior racial qualities and a responsibility to give to others our economic,
Essentially, the US wanted to get more land so it would in the long run give them more power and money. We needed these policies to make us successful and the result is that we did become more expanded; we got more money, and more power due to these two previous things. I feel Imperialism was a success for the US for the reasons I just stated and feel it was an intelligent decision and action for our country. Even now, we are still somewhat Imperialistic considering we’ve spread our culture all over the world and help the poor. The only disadvantage is that now we pay too much attention to
Imperialism is a policy that has positively impacted nations and their development for centuries. This was especially true during the late 1800s and early 1900s, when many European nations began to expand far beyond their borders. Imperialistic policies were not only good for the development of countries that were expanding, but in many cases, the countries that were being expanded into as well.
The United States experienced a period of growth and maturation during the twentieth century. Now, this is not to say that this was the only period of growth, but it was a significant time during which the United States began to establish its military force at an international level. By establishing itself during the twentieth century as one of the world’s largest superpowers, America grew to be respected by most of the world’s nations. America also grew to become much more active in foreign affairs, even in ones that had no relation to the nation. The United States began to look for chances to expand their country, as well as opportunities to benefit financially from these territories. Imperialism is the word that best describes the foreign
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.
expanding it boarders in the early and mid 1800’s. Throughout the world in the 1880’s there was a large need for countries to gain places where they could get natural resources. Almost every Western European Nation was in need to imperialize. Examples of this were the scramble for Africa, and the spheres of influence. The cartoonist Thomas Nast depicts this in his cartoon “The worlds plunder” which appeared in Harper’s weekly in 1885. America’s need to I imperialize was similar to that of Europe. The way the U.S. went about gaining markets was no different then what they had done before to gain land. The U.S. looked to fighting to gain land and when they saw the Cubans wanted independence from Spain the U.S. looked to help Cuba to get land in return. Throughout the war there was yellow journalism to gain support from the American population. Also when the USS Maine got bombed the American immediately blamed it on Spain. Years later it was found the explosion happened internally and Spain couldn’t have bombed it. The U.S. easily defeats Spain and in return for helping Cuba the U.S. gained Puerto Rico, The Philippines, and Guam. After Cuba Got there independence the U.S. wanted to keep their influence in Cuba so they passed the Platt amendment which made Cuba a protectorate and gave the U.S. a naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It also would not let Cuba Make a treaty Without The U.S. The U.S. Justifies their actions for helping Cuba and gaining