Imperialism DBQ Essay examples

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

acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. They declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. As a result Spain lost its control over the remains of its overseas empire. This war increase the idea of imperialist by gaining more power, crops, and land. Some could say that WWI was a war on imperialism, I would have to agree. The Europeans in the late 19th century increase to safeguard their access to markets and by return seizing military control on underdeveloped countries. To this day some would say the United States is still imperialistic but in a more economical way than the 19th century. Some would argue that the war on Iraq was to protect the oil supply the American economy depends on. Others world argue that we control a certain territories a specific level of power to give an influence

At the turn of the 20th century the United States went from isolationism to imperialism. The shift in foreign policy was drastic. The U.S. adopted the policy of imperialism because there was

United States foreign policy from 1890-1914 was principally guided by economic motives. The main goal was to be seen as a world power. However by becoming a world leader, the United States had no choice than to have economical gains in the process. Expansion of U.S. territory and embracing the imperialistic way of foreign affairs are crucial to being seen as a world power. Because so many other world powers were constantly expanding and gaining territories in Africa, the U.S. knew they had to do the same in order to “keep up” with other world powers.

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

With the rise of European imperialism, it opened The United States to newer prospects to spread our ideals. Nevertheless, our objectives stretched beyond the search for new foreign markets and other economic reasons, and our expansion was instead focused primarily on the continuance of Manifest Destiny. Regardless of whether or not we actually accomplished the goals of freedom and democracy for all under our auspices, the motive for American Imperialism was still the same as it was in the days of Westward Expansion. That is why when our neighbor Cuba was struggling against Spanish aggression, it was The United States that heeded the call to arms and defended the Caribbean isle in true Monroe Doctrine fashion.

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.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the United States of America entered the imperialistic race taking place in the rest of the world. Imperialism is defined as a way of extending a country’s power, influence, and wealth by means of diplomacy or military force. At this time, other countries around the world were determining their amount of power in the rest of the world. These countries include France, England, Germany, and a few others. The United States, being a new country, were not a part of this race and was often not viewed as a power at all even though they had the potential of being one.

The 1890s was a decade that brought a new chapter for America. Interests in exploring territories outside of the North American continent, hopes to strengthen the American economy through foreign trade, and pressure for America to prove itself as a nation during an age of European imperialism were all factors that lay the groundwork for American expansionism. Tempted by the prospect of empire, the United States declared war with Spain on the pretense that the purpose was to spread liberty and freedom when it’s true motives and subsequent actions proved the complete opposite. America’s expansionist policies and actions during this decade were driven by aggressive efforts to stimulate the economy through foreign markets and trade and a strong

At the time of the Spanish American War the United States went from relative isolation to increased global involvement because of economic expansion, and rebellion in the western hemisphere. The consequences of this increased global involvement on American society was that America exited the Spanish-American war as an Imperialist country and America began to abuse its position as an emerging world power.

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 over-production from agricultural factors. This helped America because by the late 1890s America was becoming more dependent on Foreign trade. This new market allowed Americans to have a bigger platform to sell their goods. Another reason why new market was a necessity to imperialism was that it helped lower unemployment.

Several factors account for America’s desire to adopt an expansionist foreign policy in the 1890’s. The rapid expansion of the U.S. economy after the civil war and completion of industrialization of the country which had been briefly hindered by civil war, allowed American industries to flood the domestic market with consumer goods. Mechanization and mass production combined with improvements in transport systems, especially

During the late nineteenth century, the United States and the countries set out to foreign lands to rapidly expand their territory. This time period was also known as the Age of Imperialism. Imperialism is a term describing a nation’s act of colonizing foreign land primarily for economic, political and military purposes. Territorial expansion played an important role in American history. In this case, it helped the United States to define its national identity and provides economic opportunities to be taken advantage of. Other countries, such as Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands, had already expanded since the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The United States needed to look for more opportunities to fuel its rapid growing economy

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.

In the 1800s both the Industrial and Agriculture Revolution innovated the United States to advance economically. These revolutions, however, resulted in the over production of goods in the U.S. that expansion at all cost was the primary solution. To mandate this expansion the U.S. had to imperialize over weaker nations in order to satisfy their economic troubles, and like both revolutions advance the United States into the overpowering country in economic innovative advances. This is best exhibited in the Big Sister policy, the annexation of Hawaii, and the creation of the Panama Canal.