To What Extent Was Late Nineteenth-Century and Early Twentieth-Century United States Expansionism a Continuation of Past United States Expansionism and to What Extent Was It a Departure?

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

During the 1890’s, the United States began building and advancing their economy, as well as focusing more independently on becoming an even more powerful nation. Not only did the Americans begin to create a stronger national military and navy, they also began to look overseas towards the Pacific Ocean for resources and territories; this is when America began to look less like a national power and more like an imperial power. There were many reasons as to why the United States began to expand between 1880-1929, two of which include the military opportunities countries abroad had to offer, such as Pearl Harbor, as well as the domestic and political objectives the U.S. felt obligated to fulfill. Although, there were many important reasons for the United States to began to expand, the most significant reason for the expansionist foreign policy was the economic resources and opportunities other foreign countries had to offer the U.S.

Not only would it become the ‘most favored nation’ with its Open Door Policy with China (Doc G- “American Diplomacy”), it would also expand and increase its power in the Western Hemisphere. Despite America’s refusal to admit its purpose in competing for land, the expansion into territories of the Western Hemisphere, such as with Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, along with the creation of the Panama Canal, proved otherwise. Power meant territory and as naval officer Alfred Thayer Mahan would emphasize, power in the Pacific with control over naval bases, harbors, and a strong naval force (Doc C- The Interest of America in Sea Power by Alfred Thayer Mahan), would make America invincible, both economically in terms of trade and politically in terms of territorial

The United States has progressed economically and as a result methods of expansionism have evolved but it also tried to stay with the ideals of the forefathers. In Document C the importance of naval power is expressed and it outlines the obligations: the

Throughout history, many debates have occurred over national events. Whether it be the Civil War or the robotic revolution, each event leaves behind a mark on our history, changing our nation. In addition, these events also spark controversy among the American people. One of these moments that many people look back on with either support or opposition is the western expansion of the United States. This topic of the United States expansion was a highly controversial topic among people.

In order to best answer the question posed one must break expansionism into two separate time periods. Both of these time periods show comparisons and contrasts with US expansionism. From 1776-1880 and the late 1800s-1914 are chronicled by major events in United States and World history. Using these documents as well as commonly known events that occurred during these time periods I will show the similarities and differences that late nineteenth century and early twentieth century United States expansionism exhibit from past United States expansionism.

The debate of expanding versus focusing on home was a matter of extensive public debate in the late nineteenth century. Both sides had economic, political, and social justifications for their stance. The expansionists, explained themselves using arguments such as one of national identity and unity. Others, however, say that historically, colonialism and expansionism are contradictory to the history of America and that if the United States expands more then it will suffer the same fate as a weak power such as Spain. Despite these differences in advocacy, both sides had been driven emotionally and politically. At this point in time, the stage was set for raucous politics.

Americans expanded their country in two different eras throughout history: American imperialism and westward expansion. During both of these eras, the mid-late 1800s and the early 1900s, Americans believed that expansion was necessary and beneficial. To a great extent, late nineteenth-century and early twentieth century United States expansionism was a continuation of past United States expansionism and to a lesser extent was it a departure. The similarities and differences between American Imperialism in the early 1900s and Manifest Destiny in the mid-late 1800s are shown through political, economic, and moral motives of America and its government.

To begin with, one major way of expansion was the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was the purchase between The French and The U.S for 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million (Louisiana Purchase Document Set). Consequently, there was a major effect that was it made our country larger, this was good for us because it opened free and valuable to commercial states, This was a positive effect from buying Louisiana because it made jobs for

They proceeded to expand into foreign markets not only for territorial advantages but also for the economic benefit. At the turn of the century, Isolationism took a back seat to expansionism, which had now arrived in full force. Throughout 1865 to 1914, the United States foreign policy was primarily expansionism.

The expansionism of 1885 differed from nineteenth and twentieth century expansionism in the ways that the recognised world powers of earlier expansionism did not include the United States (Doc A). It is only after the Roosevelt Corollary, Manifest Destiny, and the newfound strength of the America’s naval power that the United

During the late 19th century, the United States competed with other industrialized nations to claim territory. This period of time was known as the Imperial Age. Imperialism is when one country extends its influence over other lands. This scramble for territory was fueled by the prospect of new markets and military advantages. Moral obligations such as civilizing “backward” nations, and moral obligations such as spreading Christianity, also led Americans to seek lands to conquer.

The United States expanded territorially in many different ways. One of the main ways was war, also purchasing land or just taking land, as they did to the Indians. There were many points of view on expanding territorially and many reasons why or why not the United States should expand. The ideas of manifest destiny, imperialism, social darwinism, and the fear that if the United States didn’t join in and try to acquire land then there would be no land left for them. They would be inferior to other countries and that is not what they wanted. On the other hand anti-imperialist thought that expansion was immoral and they were afraid that expanding too much would start polluting America and threaten American Liberties. In the end the United

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

Many people feel that american expansion was justified and was needed for the US to survive and develop. American Expansion was worth it