The Role Of American Imperialism In Late Nineteenth-And Early Twentieth Century

Exam Essay Four From the 1890s to 1920, the United States went through the “Progressive Era”, where the domestic and foreign policies became a priority to the government. The United States sought to extend their power and influence through an aggressive foreign policy. In order to extend American democracy and capitalism while protecting American interests and businesses, the United States adapted an “imperialistic” mindset. Under President Roosevelt, the country grew a high interest in Asia and Latin America, and our Navy saw a rapid build-up.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the United States was becoming an increasingly powerful nation and world power. The country was competing with other nations also expanding. Their motives for expanding were to gain land and resources. While there was a slight departure from past expansionism, the United States mostly continued as it had been in the previous years. In order to accomplish expansionism, the United States needed to acquire foreign territories to increase their global presence.

The period of 1914-1941 was a hectic time in not only American, but world history. American foreign policy was influenced heavily by an isolationist sentiment, the causes for this can be traced to the causes and effects of WWI and the Great Depression, as well as complex economic investments that challenged the strength of the isolationist sentiment. During its time, WWI was the most destructive war the world had ever seen. Due to advances in weapon technology, such as trench warfare and the invention of the machine gun, the killing power both sides had was like nothing anyone had ever seen before. The effect of this immensely destructive war can be seen in the rise of the isolationist perspective.

The United States expanding across the world was caused by many things. During the time from 1865-1910, one of U.S.’s goals was to get rid of European presence in the Americas, and cast an American presence all over the world. The reason for America to grasp control like they want to, is so they can benefit themselves in numerous ways. The objective of this goal was drawn up by the U.S. government, not exactly the people. The main reason for American expansion during the time of 1865-1910 was to gain more global power, strengthen economically, and the people felt a religous movement to expand.

America's imperialistic tendencies reaches it’s peak in the late 19th century where things like cultural superiority, militarism, and the drive for markets all culminated in this time period. These imperialistic motives had the U.S dipping its hands into nations like Cuba, Philippines, Hawaii, and more. The effects of imperialism on these countries range from assimilation to revamped governments. The following documents all are evidence of what led America into the pursuit of imperialism. Militarism was another huge factor in the pursuit in imperialism.

A Change to Imperialism After the civil war, Americans remained surprisingly aloof to the outside world. Because America was struggling with many problems over Reconstruction, such as trying to maintain a steady flow in the economy and settle the West, many Americans weren’t very concerned with foreign affairs. There was a drastic shift, however, that made America change from isolationism to imperialism in the early 20th century. America made this drastic shift because it wanted to expand and gain prestige, convert people into one’s own beliefs (missionary zeal), and indulge itself in foreign affairs to aid its economy and marketing. With the control of the Panama Canal, America was then able to obtain its worldwide power.

Around the 1840s, a movement called manifest destiny was introduced to the American people. In simple terms, this concept was Americans wanting to expand the boundaries of their current America outwards and claim new territory. The leaders of the movement hoped to justify expansion throughout North America by calling it “inevitable, just, and divinely foreordained” (Locks, 618). The supporters argued that they needed the land because of the growing population. Although the idea of manifest destiny was accepted and pushed by many Americans, it wasn’t agreed on by everyone.

In this book, Renehan examines the Monroe Doctrine and how it played a role in shaping the foreign relations of the United States. He also talks about how the Monroe Doctrine was used to further American imperialistic ideals in Latin America. This is a somewhat reliable source as the author is a well-known writer who has appeared on the History Channel and contributed to publications of American Heritage. However, his lack of any scholarly historic credentials does make it so that all his claims may not be 100 percent correct, but most of his claims do line up with other scholarly works. My topic is the Monroe Doctrine and how it was not about American idealism, but rather it was about American imperialism and the spread of republicanism under

It was during this time that countries all across the world were seeking to strengthen their national identity and confront economic change, and enemy powers. The reasons behind the American Ascendancy are detailed out in this book as “accumulating the economic might, the development of a keen sense of national purpose, and the rise of a formidable state with a knack for pursuing international goals with deliberation and patience” (Hunt 308). Every development in national history, U.S. leaders would take steps that aligned national ambitions to resources that were continuing to move the U.S. closer to their desired global position. The United States did not just emerge out of nowhere with new ideas and become this great and powerful nation, it took the paths of other countries to help guide the U.S. in the right direction. For example,

Before the 20th century the United States was an isolationist nation but around the late 19th century America decided to convert into an imperialist power. They had numerous reasons to shift into being an imperialist nation. America didn’t want to begin imperializing to settle and live in the nations they were taking over, they already had America for that reason, they wanted to adopt these nations for what they had to offer, which was many things. America saw an opportunity to improving their nation and took it. Even if there were many causes for America to imperialize, three of them stood out the most.

And lastly the desire for a new frontier to settle in order to maintain America’s identity and prosperity. All three of the examples: economically, politically/military, and culturally can simply explain why and how America became an imperialist nation in the late

As America became a great power, it has continued its legacy of territorial expansionism through neo-imperialist policies. Aside from acquiring land and expanding American territory, the United States has established policies that have allowed direct and often indirect military and political control, economic exploitation, and the introduction of American ideals. The U.S. has justified this form of colonialism by claiming that it is for mutual economic pursuits, the spreading of democracy, and the establishment of stable governments in developing countries. Despite America’s noble causes, American imperialism has caused many repercussions. The United States should cease to be an imperialist power as it is economically damaging to countries under its rule, costly to America, violates the fundamental American principle of self-governance, and exacerbates social and political situations in countries America has tampered with.

Smith 1 Jessica Smith Mr. Dearie AP U.S. History February 5, 15 Imperialism DBQ By 1901, the U.S. acquired exceptional overseas control, the title of a world power, and the third-largest navy in the world. These accomplishments were all mainly because of the current imperialistic philosophies of the age. This caused expansion, colonization, and fierce competition between countries like France, Japan, Britain, and Germany.

The United States American expansionism in the 1890's was motivated by the search of new markets and investment opportunities. Businesses created the expansion because the economy was so prosperous at this time. Mechanization and mass production allowed the industries in America to grow, which led to the growth of business, consumer goods and the overall American corporation. According to the textbook, the businesses interest shaped diplomatic and military strategy. Additionally, farm production increased, transportation systems improved and railroads were a significant factor.

A tremendous amount of people wonder if America is trying to achieve world domination because of their involvement with the Middle East that is, however, a debatable and an unproven statement but it was especially true about a century ago during Theodore Roosevelt’s era. After the reparations done due to the civil war, Theodore Roosevelt strived to bring back American traditional values, that it, world expansion also known as manifest destiny. Theodore Roosevelt was an ingenious president whose aim was to make America an imperialistic nation and to colonise all the countries of the world. There is clear evidence that Roosevelt was trying to make America as a world superpower and he made it look like it was democracy even before Theodore Roosevelt’s