Benefits Of Imperialism

“This Land is Your Land”
In 1519 the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes landed in what is today known as Mexico seeking gold, land, and power. The cost of this, along with the destruction of a civilization's rich culture an inexcusable estimated 240,000 Aztec lives lost. Although some would like to argue that imperialism is a justified act, the most ethical standpoint will always be with those who oppose economic danger, running the risk of war, immoral action and direct violations of the laws our country was built on the united states constitution. For these reasons the negative effects of expansionism greatly outweigh the benefits.

In the past several arguments and theories have been used to support imperialism one of these arguments being that expanding will help economic growth by allowing countries such as the United States to reach new markets and expand its job growth. However, these claims do not take into account the fact that every extra territory the U.S acquires also drains U.S resources. About 2 billion each year is taken from U.S taxpayers in order to maintain Puerto
Rico and this is only 1 of the U.S various territories. Frankly, we no longer have the necessary funds to accommodate such expensive programs. Our national debt is a threat facing us today that will only grow if not giving the necessary attention If nothing is done our debt $19.5 trillion dollars it is estimated to rise to 29, trillion in the next few years. Not only that but it is causing us to fall behind globally Every extra dollar spent on a foreign territory is another dollar taken away from taking care of our infrastructure and education. Statistically, we have already been left behind globally with 22 other countries scoring higher GPA's. Our numbers have remained the same while other countries such as Estonia and Poland have improved by prioritizing on education and surpassing the U.S .Historically this has happened countless times. Massive empires have over stretched and collapsed such as the British and Spanish empires. Most historians believe the British empire officially collapsed on July 1, 1997, the day Britain formally reverted Hong Kong back to China. Great Britain's empire was massive but horribly overstretched at one point taking up ¼ of the world's land mass. Britain no longer possessed the economic status to control its territories granting India its freedom in 1947. Along with other territories such as Egypt in 1919. During the periods of time Britain did possess these masses of land, it began to be economically overshadowed by other countries during world war two. One of these being a previous British territory itself the United states. Countries that possessed fewer territories compared to Britain could focus on expanding their naval capacities. However British naval power was far overstretched in the pacific and could not afford this forcing it to sign alliances with japan in 1902 for fear of being overtaken by Germany. As a nation, the U.S risks becoming financially exhausted trying to maintain massive territories.

Imperialism leads to the oppression and inevitable rebellion of the people.
Throughout history, there have been countless wars and rebellions due to the fact that a county simply wants their independence. When the United states dominates a territory it is running the risk of war diplomacy is rarely used in cases of rebellion. An example of this can be seen In the 17th century during what is known as the Dutch Revolt. Colonies belonging to the Spanish in the Netherland began to rebel against Spain this lead to 80 years of war what is today known as the tenth longest war in history ending spanish sphere of influence in the netherland . These rebellions became one of the key points of the collapse of the Spanish empire. The united states itself has had history rebelling our independence cost Britain and France a total of 1.3 billion
livres. This leads me to my next point the oppression that causes these rebellions in the first place.During a time of debt in great Britain, the British began establishing policies such as the stamp act of 1765 demanding taxes for every printed piece of paper this caused outrage and mobs of violence. British troops were also permitted unlimited search and seizure allowing officers the right to confiscate or search any civilian home and or property at any given time this was often abused. Leading to protests and critics toward the British a very renown one the 1769 imprisonment of Alexander McDougall. McDougall wrote and printed a critic titled “To the Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and Colony of New York” upon his arrest for “libel” accused of publishing a false statement there was much outrage. Another example of this discrimination and injustice can be seen during the colonialism of Africa.Many times throughout our history countries have taken over countries on the grounds of the “white man's burden” or belief that they are superieur and must change the nation's way of life by teaching them their ways however this normally negatively affects the countries being dominated. After world war 1 Belgium took control of the Ruanda-Urundi territory’s forcing its people into labor such as growing coffee for profit not only this but they also took to dividing its population. Forcing civilians to carry racial identification cards. Favoring the Tutsi people over the Hutu often treating them better and favoring their education. These actions filled years of injustice towards the Hutus eventually leading to the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Not only does this lead to injustices but also the blood that is spilled when the oppressed country attempts to fight back. In the 1800’s Germany made southwest Africa a colony. In 1904 the Herero people attempt to gain their freedom by attacking and killing germans only sparing women and children. The germans do not respond well to this. Von Trotha then issued an order to remove the Herero people from this region. Many Hereros were killed or sent to concentration camps where they were worked to death, beaten and abused. It is estimated around 24,000 Hereros were killed. Imperialism is a dangerous gamble that can result with blood at the hands of both the oppressor and the oppressed.

On September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was written. Hammering into our hearts the belief that “all men are created equal”. Written so that the injustices that took place on American soil would never happen again. As stated in the paragraphs above the united states knew and had experienced oppression at the hands of great Britain. Creating laws such as the fourth amendment so that never again would the people be unlawfully searched. Understanding how it felt and creating a document so that the laws would never again support oppression. So then why may you ask are we attempting to defy the constitution by committing the crimes that lead us to create it in the first place? A quote from Abraham Lincoln's Peoria Speech, October 16, 1854 “no man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent “. When the united states controls and taxes countries such as Puerto Rico but refuses to annex or allow them to vote it is a violation of their constitutional right. Just as the united states fought its fight against “taxation without representation". So are the Puerto Rican people. Although Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes they do however pay local income taxes that can at times often cost even more than federal income.

To this day the stories and graves of the men and women who fought for our independence are still heard of and honored. Every moment we are allowed to steal another country's land for our own is another we tarnishing everything those men and women fought. If the countless historical examples have shown us anything it is that we must not repeat this oppression, economic danger, war and unconstitutional behavior that comes when a nation tears another nation apart.