Imperialism DBQ Essay examples

After the Civil War, the United States began to prosper and get stronger, ultimately because of the second Industrial Revolution. As time went on, the urge for overseas expansion became a big must and began to spread throughout many Americans of the time. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, overseas expansion played a big role, from new rules to new policies. And not all people, especially the Americans, like these new rules and policies.

1. What were the motivations behind US overseas imperialism? Numerous motivating factors contributed to US overseas imperialism, but the fundamental underlying cause was the fact that powerful men within the US government, military and business strata craved power, expansion, wealth, and most of all, world dominance. It began subtly, as prominent businessmen like Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan began to realize that US consumership alone would not sufficiently sustain the growing industries, volume of production and produce generated within the US. In order to achieve the expansion and exponential growth of wealth they aspired to, a larger market was needed; a market capable of absorbing the abundant surplus. The solution, they believed, was expansion into foreign markets around the world.

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.

During the 19th century the United States witnessed major changes. America went through its own industrial revolution and the technological advancements in manufacturing created a surplus in manufactured goods. The country was producing more than it could consume. The Industrial Revolution evolved the country from a consumer of manufactured goods

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

2. Especially during 1901-1920, America intervened in Europe, Far East and Latin America 3. The US acted as a major power through intervening 1. There was a colonial policy that grabbed onto many distant lands 2. There was a need for a new outward approach:  There was a new need in the building of a large navy  There was even a colonial empire that was protected and it allowed the empire to become even more internationally involved

America’s imperial moment arrived when they freed Cuba from Spanish rule. America had to do what was necessary to keep Spain at Bay. President McKinley cautiously lobbied to Spain that they stop destroying American property in Cuba. Since Spain was unwilling to compromise, in 1898, McKinley sent over the battleship Maine, to show that the United

Zakisha H. U.S foreign policy Through the nineteenth century, America concentrated on conquering the West from the Natives, and to remain in isolation from the foreign sectors of the world. Once industrialized and more robust, it began looking for markets and colonies overseas. U.S foreign was designed to secure and open the door for trading internationally. More importantly foreign policy secure alliance and defense to protect its national interests around the world.. Initially, U.S foreign policy had great intentions because it favored self-determination of nations for independence. Also, it supported nations that were democratic. Nevertheless, U.S foreign policy also at times contradicted and struggled with realities of

I argue that the factors most responsible for the U.S.’s westward expansion until 1885 are the push to find greater sources of wealth along with simultaneous technological advances. Since the founding of the U.S., the central theme of foreign relations was to expand in order to gain access to economic resources. The primary driver of the early U.S. economy was commerce, which led to expansion across the North American continent in search for more land to produce agricultural exports. In the early 19th century, cotton became the paramount export of the U.S. economy, further accelerating territorial acquisition across North America. The importance of the cotton industry was bolstered by the technological developments of the railroad, steamship, and telegraph, which served to closely integrate the nation’s economy. Thus U.S. policy makers engaged in continental expansion primarily in order to foster American commerce at home and abroad.

The United States began as an isolated country, only focusing on the matters going on within the nation. Overseas expansion, military strength, and the practice of Social Darwinism later became an interest to the nation’s development. Because there was a want for power, wealth and missionary zeal, the United States

American policy makers were forced to consider a greater global involvement because the domestic marketplace was flourishing and America wanted to share their trade politics with the world. As America’s population grew at an exponential rate during the end of the nineteenth century, the

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

One thing that drove America into imperialism was new market. New market was a necessity for America because it gave us foreign trade, helped lower unemployment and a need for raw materials. One reason why new market was a necessity was foreign trade. Foreign trade helped America because America had

The most important factor in America imperialisms from 1865 to 1914 was military-strategic interest. This is the most important factor because during this time period the United States acquired the Pacific islands of Midway, which served as an important stopping place for American ships e route to China, and American merchants. Also American gained territories after the Spanish-American war. Another thing was the creation of the Panama Canal which helped America. The final thing is the foreign policies of Taft, Roosevelt, and Wilson.