American Imperialism (American History) - Research Paper Example

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