Preview

American Imperialism in the United States Essay Example

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1408 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
American Imperialism in the United States Essay Example
American Imperialism History: 204 Jan. 17,2011

The purpose of this paper is to inform and discuss American Imperialism in the United States. This paper will discuss topics such as the reasoning why the policy was adopted and how it was rationalized, major events that occurred during the time that Imperialism had taken over, and which countries were affected or became involved with the United States due to American Imperialism. By the conclusion of this paper the following topics will be discussed explaining the diverse reasons for adopting the policy American Imperialism. American Imperialism began in the early 1890’s, to improve the economic status of the U.S. and for economic benefits. This era brought about the first widespread protest against American imperialism. Imperialism is the “acquisition of control over the government and the economy of another nation, usually by victory. The impression that I received from American Imperialism was that the progressive movement was brought about to initially improve America. However, there was a diverse opinion from many people, they believed that this movement was enforced to gain more control over different colonies or to “micro-manage” the neighboring nations that were involved. The population was divided between those that saw the economic and strategic benefits of colonies and those that felt it was counter to America's founding ideas and goals.
The United States adopted the policy of imperialism because they saw the potential to control foreign markets and earn vast amounts of money. “The speed and efficiency with which Europeans expanded prompted many Americans to argue for this European-style imperialism of conquest and possession” (2008, p. 611). The United States was never completely isolated from the rest of the world. Trade made them an active member of world affairs. It was during the period of the 1890s that the U.S. foreign policy became influenced by

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ch 18 Sec 1 Reasons U.S. was imperialistic “White Man’s Burden” How U.S. annexed Hawaii Sanford DoCh 18 Sec 1 Reasons U.S. was imperialistic “White Man’s Burden” How U.S. annexed Hawaii Sanford Dole Ch 18 Sec 2 Jose Marti U.S.S. Maine Yellow Journalism Rough Riders Treaty of Paris Ch 18 Sec 3 U.S. & Philippines after S-A War Emilio Aguinaldo Open Door Policy Boxer Rebellion Ch 18 Sec 4 The Platt Amendment Panama Canal Roosevelt Corollary “dollar diplomacy”…

    • 4704 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    America had remained mostly an isolated country until the late 1800's when the United States was faced with the opportunity of building a colonial empire. By 1890 the United States, like Europe, had began to expand its influence onto islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific areas. They entered in other countries' affairs claiming that it served the interests of all peoples and were motivated by Idealism. In reality, the United States was mostly after its own self-interest. The Spanish-American War, the United States' Open Door policy, and the control over the Panama Canal zone make it unclear if the United States was pursuing its own self-interest or was inspired by Idealism.…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The long history of the United States is one of continual expansion as shows in the late nineteenth and twentieth-century. Certain factors can be found that are responsible for early American expansion and late nineteenth century imperialism. The motives for expansionism both in America and out were relatively the same. Religious reasons such as in early expansion was spreading Christianity and in late imperialism spreading Christianity to our little brown brothers in the Philippines. Economic factors were contributed by building railroads in expansion and using the sugar and cheap labor in Cuba during imperialism years. Social motives like those in the early years were that of railroads across the plains and keeping up with the European powers in the imperialistic years. Humanitarian, we thought, reasons in the early expansion years was assimilating the Indians and then years later, assimilating the Filipinos. Finally, geographic motives such as the Louisiana Purchase to double the size of America and annexing Hawaii and imperializing Cuba and the Philippines in the later years. The only major difference between these times was the expansion beyond America’s borders.…

    • 1365 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Imperialism is the policy of extending the rule of authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries or acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies. Now that we know the definition of imperialism we can define how imperialism was seen in the United States. The purposes of the United States to start imperialism were to gain power, land, and products from other countries. The Christian religion got involved when missionaries went to the conquer lands to convert people such as one of its is leaders Rev. Josiah Strong. We can say imperialism was legitimate because the consequences that the United States got in the end were all positive; even though a lot of people suffered through its end.…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imperialism is a policy. Based on this policy, a country uses diplomacy and military forces to expand its power and influence across the world. This will eventually result in becoming a superpower. When it comes to imperialism, America has a lot to say because it sure was a great imperialist between 1867-1917. Many American believed U.S. had to “expand or explode” because of its fast growing population. When the population grows, industrial production demand for more resources. People start to realize and worry that some of the existing natural resources of the country will eventually dry up. Therefore, economists saw oversea markets a possible safety valve for U.S. internal pressures. As a result, foreign trade was…

    • 380 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Looking back at the late 19th century and early 20th century, America engaged in acts of imperialism that left the country forever changed. This imperialism period was made up of nations expanding their influence and power to other countries around the world through diplomacy or military force. Along with other countries, the United States gained a bigger influence and authority in foreign places. The United States wanted to imperialize because the country was threatened by other foreign countries, such as Spain, and America wanted to fight their competitors. America’s intervention and acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone in the 1900s led to economic growth and trade relations, becoming a greater political power, and ruined relationships with…

    • 1590 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the late 1800’s and 1900’s America began taking control of smaller nations and territories. This action is called imperialism. America practiced imperialism because of its needs for raw materials and markets, nationalism, and to gain access to different ports for their navy. Among the places taken under American control was the Latin American territory and former Spanish colony of Puerto Rico. America’s imperialism politically striped Puerto Rico of its right to self-govern and control its own affairs, which greatly upset the Puerto Rican people.…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Trace the path of American imperialism during the period from about 1870 to 1914 through political, military, and economic events. Why was the United States interested in expansion in these areas? Why was America building a global empire?…

    • 731 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The benefits of American Imperialism outweigh the drawbacks. However, some may believe otherwise because US imperialism may lead to war between the United States and other nations. They may believe so because Document 3 states, “... The dangers of war and of the almost constant rumors and threats of war to which all nations interested in the Far East are subject... There is seldom a week which does not bring alarming reports of threatening hospitalities… The coming struggle is chiefly this Far Eastern question which keeps every shipyard, gun yard, and armor yard in the world busy night and day.” This shows that because of the fact that many imperialistic nations, such as England,…

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    American imperialism during the early twentieth century was strongly opposed by its own citizens, including lawyers and bankers from Boston. Moreover, it was mentioned as treason of American principles and an anti-imperialist campaign was formed to destroy it, a campaign which focused on the aspect of the opinion of its members.…

    • 337 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Imperialism means to have an unequal human and territorial relationship, usually in the form of an empire, based on ideas of superiority and practices of dominance, and involving the extension of authority and control of one state or people over another. While the concept of imperialism did accomplish many things it still had its down falls. One thing the concept of imperialism accomplished was the building of The Panama Canal. This was a good thing because it provided a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans which was good for exchanging goods. This was a bad thing because America still went and built The Panama Canal even though the Spanish did want them to. At the turn of the 19th century imperialism was not a proper and legitimate policy for the United States because it was politically, military and socially problematic.…

    • 535 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Philippine Insurrection

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages

    For a brief period of time, America became the exact thing it once strived to defeat: an imperialist. The moment the Treaty of Paris was signed on February 6, 1899, America became an imperialist. America was divided on the issue of imperialism. Some said that imperialism was wrong because it was against everything our nation was founded upon. Others saw imperialism as a chance to exploit people and land to earn power and prestige. The following paragraphs will explore America’s experimentation with imperialism in the Philippines.…

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    American imperialism in the late 1800's was a break in American foreign policy. America has always wanted to expand the country. In the 1880's, many people thought that America should join countries such as England and set up colonies overseas. Imperialism is when a bigger, stronger country wants to control other smaller and weaker territories.At that time, imperialism was a trend around the world. America became an imperialist nation because of economic reasons, militery interests,and cultural superiority.…

    • 941 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    America, a nation built upon the values of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' has been referred to as the most powerful country in the world. While some people praise the U.S. for this great triumph, others resent it. And despite this obvious victory, many of America's leaders and policymakers suffer from an ‘inferiority complex,' often feeling the need to act in ways that make the U.S. seem more superior. The actions exerted by America are reminiscent of a very outdated practice, called imperialism. This term has recently brought upon many arguments concerning the United States as an empire, particularly in the character and logic of U.S. domination that is at issue. America should not assert its economic, military, and cultural…

    • 1232 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Imperialism

    • 933 Words
    • 27 Pages

    DBQ - Imperialism: To what extent was late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century United States expansionism a continuation of past United States expansionism and to what extent was it a departure?…

    • 933 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Good Essays