Imperialism Dbq Essay

During the twentieth century the United States of America became involved with three major conflicts that resulted in the nation shifting from a regional power into a global power. Through these conflicts the United States grew territorially, economically and industrially. Foreign policies were altered to allow the United States to gain ground on the world stage and to make their mark on the world. Through careful analysis of primary sources and scholarly document s it is clear to see that the United States involvement in the Spanish American war was the first step for the United States to grow on the world stage. The American victory in the war led to the acquisition of island territories and expanded economic and military capabilities in the both the western and eastern hemisphere as well as an increased involvement in Asia. World War I ended with American democratic ideals to be spread all across Europe. Led by President Woodrow Wilson, the United States led a one sided foreign policy that used intervention, peace treaties and military intervention to endorse international order. Despite a limited role in the war President Wilson was able to outline the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations and both of their presences can be found today.

In the early twentieth century, Europe as a whole possessed great power and influence across the globe. Imperialism brought many European countries more territory and capital, making it easier for competition to thrive amongst these nations over influence and money. While the growth and mass advancement of technology made it easy to assume peace and prosperity ran rampant across Europe, the opposite was true under the façade of a wealthy, powerful continent. Complicated alliances, advanced weaponry, and misleading accusations throughout Europe led to the First World War, the greatest war the world had yet seen.

In the nineteenth century, the United States became involved in world problems for many reasons. The US gained control of countries and people who lived in the Pacific and Caribbean by using the imperialism policy. Some Americans were against imperialism while others supported them. However, the United States was not justified for overseas expansion in the late 19th and 20th century because of cultural and political rationales.

Before the late 19th century the U.S Foreign Policy consisted of neutrality set by George Washington, the Monroe Doctrine set to stop colonization,and Manifest Destiny a idea that cause the expansion westward to spread American ideal. The second industrial revolution during the late 19th century caused for a want in expenditure in markets this led President Mckinley annexing Hawaii, but expansion did not fully set its course until Theodore Roosevelt who took office after the assassination of Mckinley, Theodore Roosevelt pursued an expansionist foreign policy through his “Big Stick Policy”. The late 19th and early 20th century was a continuation of previous expansionism through efforts by the U.S to justify expansion and imperialism the U.S will continue to establish its dominance over other countries, it was a departure in the sense of the magnitude in which the U.S dramatically expanded its role as a Empire over countries.

Throughout american history, examples of the United States’ domination of the political, economic, and social aspects of other countries can be seen. This domination, also known as imperialism, was primarily caused by a growing sense of nationalism, the influence of supply and demand, and a desire to maintain global military power. Imperialism is categorized into three different groups: colony, protectorate, sphere of influence. TRANSITION SENTENCE

During the 19th century in 1880, King Leopold of Belgium began the process of European imperialism in Africa. Leopold had acquired 900,000 square miles of Africa, he called this Congo Free State. He began to take out ivory and rubber in order to make money. All while Leopold was exporting those goods, other European leaders held a conference to divide up Africa in a practicable and tranquil manner. What was the main driving force behind the European imperialism in Africa?

During the 1820s, America felt they had the God given right to expand westward. Later, they adopted this concept, expanding to nations around the world bringing religion, industry, and technology. This new concept was known as American Imperialism, the economic and cultural influence of the United States on other countries, occurring between 1880 and 1920. During the age of American Imperialism, America annexed Texas and Hawaii. They acquired Florida, Oregon County, Alaska, the Louisiana Purchase, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Guam. America provided business and industry to colonies, brought civilization and religion, and had a duty to protect nations of the western hemisphere. America’s actions were justified during the age of American Imperialism.

Imperialism originates from the Latin word "imperium", which means supreme power. But what is imperialism? Imperialism means "a policy of sending a country's power and influence through force." In the late 19th century, European imperialism in Africa was fueled by competition between countries. The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was national competition because of cultural attitudes, the need to build up and maintain a good reputation, and economic reasons.

As the United States was gaining nationalism, they began to consider expanding their boundaries once they began demanding for it. As the ideas of Manifest Destiny quickly spread during the early 19th century, the patriots of obtaining the nation’s “destined” lands were more aggressive than passive through their expansionist policies, disregard towards minorities, and the effects that these policies would later reveal.

At this point in time, the main actors in the international system are nation-states seeking an agenda of their own based on personal gain and national interest. Significantly, the most important actor is the United States, a liberal international economy, appointed its power after the interwar period becoming the dominant economy and in turn attained the position of hegemonic stability in the international system. The reason why the United States is dominating is imbedded in their intrinsic desire to continuously strive for their own national interest both political and economic. Further, there are other nature of actors that are not just nation-states, including non-states or transnational,

It was an age of empire, and by the 1900s Europe’s powers had taken control of more than 10 million square miles and 150 million people. In the closing years of the nineteenth century, foreign policy assumed a new importance for Americans. Political and business leaders have been preoccupied by internal matters and began to look outward in order to advocate a more activist approach to world affairs. Not wanting to be left behind, the United States emerged as a great power exercising imperialism; two of the countries which experienced this exercise was, Hawaii and Cuba.

In the chapter “Foreign Policy” in the book, “The Politics of Power” by Ira Katznelson, Mark Kesselman, and Alan Draper, describes in detail of the events leading to America’s great level of dominance. Throughout the chapter, a few key points were made. The main three points that were observed in this chapter consisted of America’s influence and global expansion, the transition into the globalization era, and environmental problems. From the beginning of the exploration era, to the globalization ear, foreign policy never escaped existence. The use of foreign policy continued into the beginning of World War II, after the war, and through present day. Between each date in history, foreign policy increasingly has played a major role in the turning tides within each event. The importance of foreign policy instructed the world into what it is today and has continued to do so. The relationship pertaining to the United States and its foreign policies have aimlessly been altered through good and bad times. At its birth, America’s international involvement began. Through time, its foreign policy has gained great interest and provided immense dominant reputation. Within the ordinance of America’s global dominance, speculation estimates that no nation truly is dominant as other problems counter true dominance. These problems consist of global warming, human rights, and ecological crisis. These problems will challenge nations in the future to answer the question: “What nation is truly

The twentieth century was a century characterized by war, technological advancements, and the formation of new relationships that to this day continue to shape and impact the world. Powerful countries used the world as their playground, making crucial decisions that had an impact all across the globe. Technological advancements transformed the concept of war, making it deadlier than before. Within this atmosphere, several events and movements occurred during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries that changed the face of history, either for worse or for better. Imperialism, the Great War, and the Cold War affected every corner of the globe and greatly impacted the twentieth century.

In the late 19th to early 20th century of the United States, America was thriving to acquire new land in expansion of natural resource and territory. Some of these actions and events in this time period can be categorized by imperialistic acts. Imperialism is when a countries power is influence through diplomacy or military force. With America’s very powerful military and intimidating reputation, I will be discussing some of the events that occurred when the United States took it upon themselves to have there way with foreign regimes. In less than a century the United States played a decisive role in the overthrow of fourteen foreign governments. Hawaii, the Philippine islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduran, Iran, Guatemala, Vietnam, Chile, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq have all been affected by United States involvement. Why would we be so concerned with other countries? Why do we have to spark up confrontations with other societies and groups around the world? Why can’t we just let things be? In my opinion I think the answer is simple. What the Elite want most for this country is power, money, wealth, land and most importantly natural resources. Because all of these a sense of entitlements the United States may feel brings about a rain for imperialistic movements. Not to mention the mindset of “who is going to stop us”. Through out this essay I will be stating various examples and stories that conclude my argument of why the United States have such a

In the 19th century, the danger of evil was displayed during European expansion and the infamous Rush for Africa. The proper term in New Imperialism, which was a name given to the period of colonial expansion by European powers, Japan, and the United States. The time period saw a heavy pursuit of overseas territorial expansion. At the time first world powers were focused on growing their power, mainly through conquest and the exploitation foreign resources. During the era, these powers individually conquered almost all of Africa and parts of Asia, the wave of imperialism reflecting the rivalry between nations to obtain as much power as possible. However, this gave way to serious social implications that adopt the title of “The White Man 's Burden.” The general attitude of first world powers towards other civilisations during imperialism was the need to bring civilisation to these people, whether they liked it or not.