StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

American Imperialism (American History) - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay focuses on American imperialism of the nineteenth century which is an integral part of American social, political and economic history. America exerted its power over weaker nations and taken over them during this time. American settlement was the first imperialistic move by the Americans…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.1% of users find it useful
American Imperialism (American History)
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "American Imperialism (American History)"

American Imperialism (American History) American Imperialism of the Nineteenth Century is an integral part of American social, political and economichistory. America exerted its power over weaker nations and taken over them during this time. American settlement was the first imperialistic move by the Americans in their own land. Later, in the nineteenth century, after their discourse against British Imperialism, can the second wave of American Imperialism, which moved beyond the boundaries of their land to overtake other countries. The Monroe Doctrine formed the basis of the American foreign policy in the 19th century. It said that America was interested in the development of the countries in the western hemisphere and that any European country should not wield its imperialistic power in its domain. Though America was not as powerful as the Great Britain or France in its powers at that time, it used the Monroe Doctrine to back its action of sending troops to Mexico against the French in 1866 and its acquiring of Alaska in 1867. One of the economic reasons for the foreign policy was to acquire more markets for American Industrial products. When one of American battleship exploded suddenly under sea, US pointed its blaming fingers at Spain. The foreign policy made US send troops to Cuba to fight against Spain domination of Cuba. William McKinley, then US president sent military troops to Cuba leading Spain and Us to declare war against each other. Eventually, Spain lost Puerto Rico and Guam to US. Soon, America was contesting for the position of world power manifesting its power in the world scene. American journalist John used the term ‘Manifest Destiny’ in 1895, which was used to justify all actions of US in imperialism and expansion, acquisition of California and Alaska. As Michael Chimes says, that in the years that led to the Spanish American war, America saw the rise of ethnocentrism, manifest destiny and Anglo-Saxonism. It was further fueled by nationalism. These gave the rationale behind America’s imperialism and foreign policy of the 18th and early 19th century. He discusses about the philosophical underpinnings of the American Foreign Policy that led to Imperialism. He says: America’s rise to world power occurred in the fifty-year period between the 1870-1920.  The Spanish-American War may be seen as the “point of no return,” the foreign policy event that conclusively committed us to imperial strength and a global presence.  Our expansion overseas was fueled by desires:  economic markets, raw materials, coaling stations and military bases.  But underlying our expansionist policies was a philosophy of ethnocentrism, racism and a duty based on a perception of national superiority. Later, as American Imperialism progressed, America showed interest in Panama Canal to facilitate its sea trade with the other side of the continent. The Spanish-American War increased its interest in the same. US acquired Philippines and signed a treaty with Britain to increase US powers over the canal in 1901. Also, US entered into a treaty with Panama to gain control over the canal. When America was gaining more power in the international political scenario, there was an anti movement against the foreign policy of America. They looked at Imperialism from ethical point of view to argue that acquisition of territories is nothing but subjugation and exploitation for personal advantage. They believed that imperialism neglected human rights to the people of the lands it dominates. Others had ethical concerns that the relationship with tropical people might dilute their pure Anglo-Saxon race. One was Schurz, who ironically, though served only to strengthen American racial and nationalistic superiority.  Have you thought of it, what this means?…fancy ten or twelve tropical States added to the southern States we already possess; fancy the Senators and Representatives of ten or twelve millions of tropical people, people of Latin race mixed with Indian and African blood;…fancy them sitting in the halls of Congress, throwing the weight of their intelligence, their morality, their political notions and habits, their prejudices and passions, into the scale of the destinies of this Republic; and, what is more, fancy the Government of this Republic making itself responsible for order and security and republican institutions in such States, inhabited by such people; fancy this, and then tell me, does not your imagination recoil from the picture? (Beisner, p. 23-4)  There was clearly a debate surrounding the foreign policy of the 19th century. America acquired Hawaii islands, entered war with Spain and engaged in debate over the treaty of Paris, later getting into dispute over Panama Canal, eventually leading to World War I and Versailles Treaty. The supporters had strong political, economic and military reasons and the criticizers had racial and ethical concerns. Anti-Imperialists fueled their debate building their arguments on American Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. American foreign policy leading to its gain of world power has social, political, economic implications carried into the 20th and 21st centuries. As USA Vice President Theordore Roosevelt said in 1901,“we belong to a young nation, already of giant strength, yet whose political strength is but a forecast of the power that is to come” (Black, p. 27), US was bound to gain more power as years moved on. With its power in its buckle, USA started adopting interventionist strategy in its dealing with the world countries in the early 20th Century. Later President Woodrow Wilson drew a foreign policy focusing more on trade opportunities with Asian countries. His foreign policy also had a watch eye for any European or Japanese domination in the economic imperialism of this period. There had been instances of war and military attacks on many countries, for instance, the Pearl Harbor attack of US on Japan, but behind these were moral and philosophical beliefs that united US people to work toward power. It had been one of national interest for Americans and was justified within. However, after the Second World War, American Military interventions and Economic invasions like the Vietnam war, Korean War and Gulf War, etc., till the present day, have invited mixed responses both within and at an international level, though many of these have been justified as moralistic struggle of the America to establish an ideal world. References  Beisner, Robert L. Twelve Against Empire.  Chicago:  Imprint Publications, Inc., 1992. Black, Gilbert (ed.). Theodore Roosevelt 1858 – 1919.  Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1969. Davidson, J. W., Delay, B. Gienapp, E. W., Chirisine, L. H., Lytle, H. M., & Stoff, M. B. (2007). Nation of Nations. LA, USA: Little Rock. Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper”, n.d.)
American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1557099-american-imperialism-american-history
(American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper)
American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/history/1557099-american-imperialism-american-history.
“American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1557099-american-imperialism-american-history.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF American Imperialism (American History)

History - American Exceptionalism

Many hold the view, connecting it with American exceptionalism, that the nation's values, political structure, and history are exceptional and are universally praiseworthy, which imply them to take a positive and distinctive role in the world stage.... american Exceptionalism american exceptionalism, in classical fashion, can be considered as the special characteristic of the United States: an exceptionally free nation footed on democratic philosophies and personal autonomy....
3 Pages (750 words) Term Paper

The Reasons for War in 1898

The flames of american imperialism were stoked by many diverse interests.... he vehicle to make large scale saltwater imperialism possible began with the publication of Alfred Thayer Mahan's 1890 book "The Influence of Sea Power Upon history, 1660-1783".... This essay will discuss the historical events during the 19th century, which most likely led to the beginning of the Spanish-american War of 1898.... hellip; The roots of the Spanish-american War of 1898 were planted decades earlier in a popular notion known as Manifest Destiny....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Modern America: The Great Depression and Captain Mahan

The beginning of the twentieth century however was a revolutionary period in american history because it was the first step towards imperialisation and modernity lead by urbanization, industrialization and involvement in world economy and politics.... But the stock market crash of 1929 helped propel the United States and many other nations into the worst economic downturn in history.... Eager for american manufacturers to exploit Asian markets, William H....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

From Relative Isolation to International Role

At the time of the Spanish american War the United States went from relative isolation to increased global involvement because of its imperialistic policies, to safeguard its interests in relation to opponents particularly Soviet Union and currently to fight against… The consequences of this increased global involvement on american society were it was criticized for unilateral actions and many american soldiers who participated in the war are having mental scares, with the government needing to divert major The term ‘Imperialism' is normally used when a nation enters into another geographical territory and captures its governance, with the intention to dominate it and also to tap from it....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

The Speech by Beveridge

He argued that those against american imperialism were against the wishes of God, making him differ with his opponents who argue that continuation of American isolationist policies is inherently selfish.... The turn of the 20th century is the duration of american conquest to new territories that provides a good starting point for analysis of the american perspective of imperialism.... The speech by Beveridge is rhetorically significant since it brings alive the themes of american… The forward progress of the american flag gives it their organized principle that promotes imperialism and its moral certitude....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

America's Age of Imperialism

he New american imperialism.... (2000) history Dictionary of European Imperialism.... he Philippines –american war happened after american shoot down in the Spanish –american war of 1898, Spain surrendered its longstanding colony of Philippines to the united states in the treaty of paris.... t reached a time when the US forces were serious in rejecting on enforcing american colonial control over issues such as islands, the first collides as an “insurrection” instead than accept the Filipinosargument that they were fighting to guard off any strange intruder....
1 Pages (250 words) Assignment

American Trade and Imperialism

Until recently when the imperialism… However, the colonization of Puerto Rico in the early 1900s by the United States marked the beginning of american imperialism.... american imperialism manifested itself between 1870 and 1916.... Various factors led to the emergence and adoption of the american imperialism policy.... The American need to annex Hawaii due to its immense natural resources and arable lands also fostered american imperialism....
10 Pages (2500 words) Research Paper

Haiti: Election, Democracy, Economy and Natural Disasters

The "Haiti: Election, Democracy, Economy, Natural Disasters" paper argues that the natural rationality behind Haitian society problems focuses on the country's long history of natural disasters such as earthquakes and persistent droughts as the cause of the country's economically hopeless situation.... Despite setting the pace for the anti-colonialism revolution in Latin America, Haiti currently lags behind the entire Latin american nations in terms of poverty based on the United Nation's economic index....
9 Pages (2250 words) Article
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us