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American Imperialism Research Paper

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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

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