They wanted to extend their political, military and economic control all over the world. With the booming economy in the United States in the late 1800s, there was a problem with the surplus of goods. Excess production led to declining profits. Americans needed more consumers to buy their products. Industrialists wanted trade to expand into new overseas market where American products could be sold.
APUSH DBQ ESSAY The view of overseas expansion in the late 19th and early 20th century was mainly driven by Imperialism. With that being said, there emerged two groups with viewpoints on overseas expansion, imperialists and anti-imperialists. Although there are plenty of differences, the main one between the two was over territorial expansion. The imperialists were all for it, thinking that it would help the American market and the depressed economy from the panic of 1893. On the other hand, the anti-imperialists argued that it went against our American democracy and was harmful to the territories we were trying to acquire and our country itself.
American Imperialism in the Nineteenth Century As a growing nation, the United States felt the need to continue expansion for the benefit of all citizens. Territorial development allows for growth in population and natural resources to produce goods and supply services for prosperity. To acquire or control territories, forcible means would sometimes be used, otherwise known as imperialism. This paper will describe imperialism more intently. Advantages of imperialism will be discussed, as well as some of the disadvantages.
The searches for the Northwest Passage led to the discovery of the New World, because explorers, looking for Asia, found what is now America. Also a thirst for power was invading Europe. People at this time wanted more riches and control. This desire for power not only invaded the merchants and explorers, but also the Kings. The monarchs analyzed that by expanding their empire they would become more wealthy and potent.
"Our endeavors overseas are not for the purpose of empire, but rather salvation" -Theodore Roosevelt Evaluate Roosevelt's view on U.S. foreign policy by analyzing the quote. Include specific, historical examples from Chapter 27/28 and the primary sources we have looked at as a class. During the 19th century, the United States of America was a very isolationist country, but in the 1890s, due to rising exports, manufacturing capability, power, and wealth, it began to expand onto the world stage, using overseas markets to sell its goods. As a consequence, the “yellow press” took a hold onto American thought, romanticizing foreign ‘adventures’ and criticizing other world powers. Missionaries did their job of preaching that the savages of the world need to be civilized and Christianized.
Many Americans believe that God give them the power and duty to expand territory, strengthen the United States. The motivation of United States launched this war is a debatable subject. The origin and influence The term Manifest Destiny was popular in the 19th century, some Americans believed they had the destiny to expand American continent Territory, from the Atlantic coast to Pacific Ocean. The ideal of territory expansion is already had before the American Independence, but in 1845, The United States Magazine and Democratic Review editor John O'Sullivan published an essay “Annexation”. “…our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions”[2] This essay reveal John O'Sullivan claim United States had a destiny expansion .
After completing this task, rather than settling down, they continued to try and gain more land, this time into different places including Hawaii, Cuba, and the Philippines. Another thing that came off of the early expansionism was the economic reasoning. A multitude of people were interested in settling in the West to help promote ranching and agriculture. A large reason became competition with European imperialist powers. The US was in a position where it had to preserve trade with foreign countries, especially China, and gain some territory before it was all conquered by other countries.
The liberal capitalist US economy needed ever increasing trade and investment opportunities to overcome its endemic weaknesses, (Mccauley). The Marshall Plan was designed to create an informal American empire in Europe and thereby to extend American political influence over the USSR itself. Roosevelt and Truman and their advisors already predicted the threat of Soviet Expansionism, and that they tried to restrain the Soviets from changing the international order in a way that would have been as dangerous to Western interests. Therefore Marshall Plan then led to Truman Doctrine, which not only did it influence Europe to be under control by American imperialism, but also did not support Soviet Union because the United States inserted anti-communism propaganda. American pressure and the Western decision to
Americans grew to believe that the many taxes were levied for the enhancement of British capital at the expense of American welfare. Britain was keeping the Americans in a position of economic youth by denying them economic freedom. Such economic control dates back to before the French and Indian War in a period referred to as “salutary neglect.” This term was adapted because, although Britain did regulate trade and colonial government affairs, the British for the most part stayed out of the Americans’ way. What makes this description of salutary neglect disputable is the British policy of mercantilism, which was enforced in this time. Mercantilism allowed for the belief that wealth was power and that a country’s power could therefore be measured in gold and silver—placing wealth at the forefront of their minds.
Western Europe experienced the largest amount of changes because the main countries that were becoming involved in international trade were located here. These countries include England, Spain, and Portugal. After contact had first been made with people on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the first stock exchange was set up in 1538, which represented a steady economy and businesses that could be trusted to continue success within the companies. Along with the new businesses and technology, through international trade, new products were introduced to Europe such as tobacco and potatoes. Companies that focused on trade were also introduced, such as the Dutch, English, and French East India companies.