American Imperialism Dbq

In the years between 1830 and 1860, the United States grew economically, socially, and most noticeably, geographically. In this time period, Texas, Oregon, California, New Mexico, and Arizona were gained, completing the continental United States. Many Americans in the 19th century believed this acquisition of territory was a manifest destiny, or event accepted as inevitable. They thought it was the destiny of the U.S. to control all land from the east coast to the west coast. However, I believe that this land was taken as an act of aggressive imperialism on the part of the United States. Imperialism is the practice of extending the power and dominion of a nation by direct territorial acquisitions of other areas, and clearly America took much of this land by force rather than negotiation with other nations. The motives of the United States was not that of expansion, but in hopes of gaining new resources, land for agriculture,
At one time, politicians such as President James K. Polk were set on a division between the Oregon Territory and Canada at the line 54'40''. In fact, the term "54'40'' or fight" was a popular campaign slogan for the election of 1844. When all was said and done, the boundary between the United States and Canada was drawn and the 49th parallel, much shorter than initially desired. Cuba was considered for purchase from Spain in the 1850s, but eventually this was defeated by antislavery members of congress, as the warm climate and plantations already in existence there would benefit the south alone. Mexican land was also threatened following the war, as Americans captured Mexico City, and many Democrats hoped to gain all land under Mexico's jurisdiction. In each of these cases, the opportunity existed to further expand the United States, but more aggressive measures were not taken. America did not have to have any of this additional