Imperialism DBQ
After the Civil war, the United States began to prosper because of the second industrial
Revolution. With this domestic economic prosperity, the urge to expand overseas spread amongst many Americans. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, foreign policy became an important debate among prominent Americans. While some Americans pushed forward for an aggressive foreign policy, others wanted the United States to Stay out of foreign affairs.
Politicians, such as William Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt believd the the prosperous
United States should spread its good fortune to other states such as the Philippines, Cuba and
Puerto Rico. They believed Imperialism was a good thing for the United States, while others such as Williams Jennings Bryan and Mark Twain condemned imperialism. They believed it violated American Ideals and it did not fit with the national Identity. Advocates argued that the
United States served to civilize others, like an international Policeman, while opposers argued that the United States should focus more on domestic problems and maintain traditional Identity.
Imperialism became a problem during the SpanishAmerican war. Im essence, the war really did not need American Intervention. Yellow journalism and the supposed attacks on the
US ship are what led to Intervention. As soon as Americans intervened, questions about the new territories rose. Some Americans wanted to fight the war to being radical change back home. In particular, African Americans supported the war because they believed it would bring civil rights. (Document 2) If they fought along side white soldiers and risked their lives for their country, they thought they would be seen as equals. This is what E.E. Cooper argued when advocating for war. Others advocated for war because they believed developing nations could prosper with American help. Theodore Roosevelt, an aggressive imperialist, criticized anyone
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