American History Textbook- America Past/Present Vol-2, Since 1865, 10th edition, Divine - Essay Example

It also investigates the effects of imperialism. Finally it presents conclusion as to the effects, arguments for and against creating an empire. There is no universally agreed definition of an empire and what type of empire United States might be across academic literatures. Variable modes into enquiry of foreign policy come up with different insertions (Steinmetz 340). The stance of United States’ sociologists on power, critic rather than consultative, complicate the concept further. Even individuals from same fields post different definitions.

However in this paper, a collective definition of imperialism is adopted- the extension of values and principles held in one country to another country. There are numerous arguments held by imperialists to the advancement or spread of the imperialism. They include political motivators, economic motivators and ideological motivators (Divine, Breen, Hal, Gross and Brands 72). Under economic motivators, the imperialists argued that the unchecked and rapid growth of American industry created a surplus in production that required extra market.

This called for venturing into foreign lands to find market for the products and outsource the required raw materials to guarantee uninterrupted operation of firms. United States had to sell the surplus domestic products and obtain other sources of raw materials to supplement the domestic sources that were diminishing. Imperialists argue from an economic perspective that imperialism has numerous benefits. They hold that through imperialism, the country is able to outsource raw materials from other countries to supplement the diminishing local resources.

Also, the surplus production of the country can be sold to other nations. Factors of production such as capital and labor are transferred from areas they are in excess to deficient areas. It contributes to effective use of resources (Divine, Breen, Hal, Gross and Brands 82). According to political motivators, imperialism was necessary for a modern and well supported country from a military perspective a facto adequate to guarantee world peace, domestic tranquility and global economic control.

Intervention in Caribbean/Latin America and pacific territories would yield support underpin Monroe Doctrine and open an avenue to control Japan and china’s growing power respectively. Also supporting or controlling the pacific islands would strength the country’s military force by providing more naval stations for outsourcing raw materials, refueling and offering protection. Imperialism was required to counter the empire creation by European countries which America saw as a threat. Thus it (imperialism) was supported for development and modernization of the country.

Ideological motivators included manifest destiny, social Darwinism and American nationalism. Manifest destiny was to expand the country beyond its geographic boarder through spread of Christianity and democracy. Imperialists believed that America was the superior protector of all good things such as money, inventions, food, entertainment and human rights. Also imperialists argue that imperialism is one of the struggles for survival efforts of human beings. Anti-imperialists opposed the idea if imperialism by