The Speech by Beveridge - Case Study Example

Imperialism by Albert J. Beveridge, “The March of the Flag” (Pro Imperialism) The turn of the 20th century is the durationof 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 imperialism that was promoted by their top leadership as they advance internationally. The forward progress of the American flag gives it their organized principle that promotes imperialism and its moral certitude. According to this article, Beveridge is able to define his imperial ideologies by carefully bringing the concepts of civilization and liberty to persuade his audience. The speech by Beveridge represents a statement of expansion and social growth across the borders, which formed part of the American ambitions. In this speech, Beveridge asserts the notion that America is the leader of universal democracy that is entitled to benefit all mankind irrespective of where they are. He believes that united states are endowed with a mission to spread its enlightened politics, culture, economics and religion to all corners of the world whether they are willing to receive it or not. According to Beveridge, the Americans are endowed with a talent to exercise control of the world, a talent they should not hide1. Manifest Destiny is an ideology by in this speech that supports imperialism in various ways. It supports the notion of Anglo-Saxon racial superiority since Beveridge believed that his race is superior to others and should thus conquer others in the whole world. Beveridge believed that Americans were justified to displace the natives as they expand across the continent in the name of civilization. Beveridge had no soft words for his opponents. Due to this, he considered opponents of imperialism as infidels to gospel who would make America lose their territories. 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. He urged his opponents that imperialism is a policy that enabled the Americans to preserve the spirit of their founding fathers who had restrained the wilderness. According to Paris, evident destiny delivered Beveridge with more decent and challenging reason to participate in grand activities against other territories beyond the foundation of commercial supremacy. According to Beveridge, the American-Spanish war the most holy wars ever waged by one nation against the other since it was destined to ensure civilization and permanent peace. Imperialism is highly supported by Beveridge in the sense that it enables the Americans to expand their business and economic interest by acquiring new territories that can support their increasing growth. Beveridge uses liberty and civilization as the key word to support imperialism since he knows that Americans respects human rights and other societal freedoms that benefits humanity. “The opposition tells us that we ought not to govern the people without their consent. I answer that, the rule of liberty that all just governments derives its authority from the consent governed, applies to those who are capable of self government.”2 The arguments by Beveridge are convincing since his ideology of imperialism is carried out with humanity. His arguments of imperials is also based the need to influence civilization in the whole world. According to Beveridge, imperialism ensured that unjust governments have been defeated to ensure a just society in all parts of the world. It is thus meant to rescue people from inhumane treatment posed by extortionist in all parts of the world. The arguments by Beveridge are also convincing since through imperialism, the Americans were able to promote international trade by encouraging the exchange of goods and services from one territory to another. The strength of Beveridge argument is that he bases his argument justice and human rights as advances his imperialist ideals. He also asserts his argument on Christian teachings that enabled him to convince the majority of American citizens who happens to be Christians. The weakness of his arguments is that it encouraged exploitation over other territories in the pretext of imperialism. Joseph Chamberlain, “The True Conception of Empire” (Pro Imperialism) In his article, it is easy to note that Chamberlain was a social reformer who pushed his reform credentials and political ideologies from an imperialist perspective. Unlike other politicians during his time, he pushed for more practical ideas that he strongly believed could advance the act of imperialism. He is on record saying that he could not rest until he see an evolution in their tax system which he believed was not right3. He advocated for a reformed tariff system across borders together with imperial unity to avoid any conflicts that may arise across the borders. He also advocated for a reformed education system that could see them solve most of their problems4. During this era, the British were involved in fierce competition with its rivals in their desperate attempts to conquer new territories in various parts of the world. The arguments by chamberlain are quite convincing since he involved himself in liberal politics that are embedded in his strong liberal traditions based on his religion. He portrayed reform credentials by bringing a new aspect of imperialism that is based of liberal democracy that he greatly advocated for. His arguments are also convincing since, unlike others, he is rooting for a more practical reforms to imperialism in their desperate attempts to conquer new territories . The strength of Chamberlain is that it is based on a practical approach as opposed to those that are based on non practical approach in conquering new territories. His arguments are based on humanitarianism and civilizing the low class people as opposed to pure capitalism and extortionist. He therefore rooted for imperialism that is more sincere and beneficial to both parties. The weakness of his argument is that his ideals of humanitarians could weaken the strength of imperialism. Mark Twain, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness” (Anti Imperialism) This is a writing by American humorist that talk negatively about American imperialism exercised on foreign territories. It is a satire critiquing imperialism by touching on the Boer war, Philippine American War and Boxer uprising among others to strengthen his arguments against such ideology. He does this by mentioning historical figures such s Chamberlain, William Scott, Emilio Aguinaldo among others. He describes terrible offenses against humanity committed in the name of politics by tainting those whom he considers immoral in the phase of imperialism like McKinley. He strongly believed that the trade between America and Hawaii was not mutually beneficial to show hos strong criticism for imperialism5. He argues that imperialism is an acid indictment of the brutalities of American capitalist governments together with Russia, German, French and the British as they promote their self interest in the whole world . Mark Twain attacks western imperialism as it is manifested in various countries such as the Philippines, China and Cuba by naming its villains and their instruments. He names Reverend William Scott as one of the primary instruments that supported imperialism in several ways. He also questions the morality of the missionaries by colluding, that they also form elements of imperialism especially for the Americans. He asserts that they were busy acquiring large tracts of land in order to practice agriculture while forgetting their work6. In his writing, twain asserts that Christianity served as a front for imperialism by preparing the ground for their selfish activities. He compares the missionary policy in china to that of India and concludes that they both served the interest of American imperialism. He further denounces the American national policies in Africa, China and Philippines by showing how barbaric and selfish how their activities in those countries are. In the article “To the Person Sitting in Darkness” Twain is able to reveal injustice and hypocrisy that other countries faced in the name of imperialism. The arguments proposed by Twain are convincing for most, many people suffered in most countries that experienced conquest by external powers. Despite being driven by the motive of trade, imperialism led to unequal distribution of resources, leading to exploitation to some countries. It also showered down the respect for democracy since people were ruled without their consent. The strength of Twains argument is that he uses practical means to describe the shortcomings of imperialism by mentioning their names of those implicated in the immorality of imperialism. He further describes in details how the missionaries indirectly involved in laying the foundations of imperialism at the pretext of their missionary duties. The weakness of his arguments is based from the fact that he stresses so much on the shortcoming of imperialism that he fails to see the benefits such as civilization and increased trade that comes as a result of imperialism. Work Cited Cameron, Ewen. A far cry to London: Joseph Chamberlain in Inverness, September 1885. Innes Review. 2006, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p36-53. p, 51 Fraser, Derek. "Joseph Chamberlain and the Municipal Ideal," History Today. 1987. Vol. 37 Issue 4, pp 33–40. p, 35 Holtby, David. Statehood and the Federal Presence: The March of the Flag. UNM University Library. p, 5 Modern History Sourcebook. Albert Beveridge: The March of the Flag. Logosonline. 2011. p, 2 Zmijewski,David. Mark Twains Dual Visions of Hawaii: Censoring the Creative Self. Hawaiian Journal of History. 2004, Vol. 38, p99-119. p, 103 Zmijewski, David. The Man in Both Corners: Mark Twain the Shadowboxing Imperialist. Hawaiian Journal of History. 2006, Vol. 40, p55-73. p, 59 Read More