The startlingly fast modernisation of Japan after 1868 was seen as a threat to American interests in the Pacific. These worries about Asia and the ‘Yellow Peril’ were intensified by growing social tensions in the western states in the 1890s caused by fears of the extent of Chinese and Japanese immigration. * Theodore Roosevelt was made famous by his well published actions in the Spanish-American War (leading a charge of the ‘rough riders’ on the Cuban capital, Havana). As President he followed ambitious and interventionist policies abroad. * President McKinsley claimed to be motivated not by greed but by a ‘civilising mission’ to raise aid the development of less advanced peoples.
American Imperialism in the Nineteenth Century Imperialism was a highly controversial subject in the Nineteenth century. Many people opposed the fact while others wanted to hit it full force. Imperialism is the acquisition of control over the government and the economy of another nation, usually by conquest [ (Davidson, 2008) ]. The United State became an imperialistic world power in the late nineteenth century by gaining control over the Hawaiian Islands and, after the Spanish American War, Guam, the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico [ (Davidson, 2008) ]. With America wanting to be a power house country, they became just that when they gained control over these countries.
United States & The World In the past three days in American Studies we have been studying about imperialism, which is the domination of a strong nation over weaker nations. For example when the U.S invaded Hawaii and Cuba because they wanted what they had. Building a large navy and becoming a world power was something the U.S wanted to do and become. Annexing Hawaii occurred in the late 1800’s when the U.S. took Hawaii from England. As trade with China and Japan grew Americans became interested in Hawaii and wanted it.
In 1898 the Spanish- American war began when America decided to liberate the Spanish colonies Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The US won and gained control of the colonies, although instead of liberating the colonies they had fought to free and continue the fight against imperialism they became what they had been telling the world that they resented, an empire. This was the first step the US took towards becoming the world’s toughest police officer. After the First World War was won, President Wilson proposed 14 points at the meeting in Versailles that the rest of the world should follow to gain stability and peace in the world. This was the second step.
The US foreign policy moved away from isolationism during the 1890s due to commercial reasons since the US wanted to trade with countries such as Hawaii and Cuba for supplies of tobacco and sugar. This links to the expansion of the USA politically to rival with other nations, as the US were then able to build a naval base at Pearl Harbour, in Hawaii under an 1887 treaty. This enabled the US to move away from isolationism. Another reason for the US foreign policy to move away from isolationism was because of the influence of the Yellow Press on President McKinley since William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer publish sensational stories on the Cuba rebellion. On 8th February, Heart’s Journal published a private letter from the Spanish diplomat describing McKinley.
The United States then purchased Alaska and imperialized other Pacific islands such as the islands of Samoa and Atlantic island such as Guam. In my opinion American imperialism was proper but not legitimate. In order for the United States to grow as an empire it must secure points of interest such as Atlantic and Pacific Islands, for naval bases and market enterprises. The tactics in which were used towards the citizens of those islands were not legitimate. The United States forcefully omitted their foreign rights and enforced American values upon the islanders.
Ms. Maria Hernandez Professor Dr. Botson History 1302 MF 10:00 AM -12:00 PM The reasons Japan attacked the US was for the access to natural resources such as oil, rubber, coal rice and tin through Southeast Asia. This also was a preventive action which kept the US Pacific Fleet ships from interfering with military actions. In addition, Japan and US had tensions and hostility since the 1920s and with the attacks on the USS Panay and the Nanking Massacre the Americans’ public opinion turn against Japan resulting in a Western fear of Japanese expansion. Furthermore, Japan invaded Indochina in 1940 leading US to stop shipments of airplanes, parts, machine tools and gasoline therefore Japan interpreted as an unfriendly act.
The annexation of the Philippines may have seemed like a good idea to some people in 1898 after the United States won the Spanish-American war, but to others it wasn’t. Anti-imperialists such as Andrew Carnegie, Mark Twain and ex-President Grover Cleveland believed that imperializing the Philippines would only lead to the U.S. becoming an empire. They argued that the Filipinos are their own people and that America should not govern them. In October of 1899, an anti-imperialist platform was published. One person stated “We earnestly condemn the policy of the present national administration in the Philippines.” These people really do not like the fact that the U.S. government is trying to rule over another country.
They concocted a plan to conquer the Indies, but Japan believed that such a conquest would evidently bring America into war. To thwart American efforts to liberate the Dutch East Indies, Japan called for an attack on America’s navy. Using the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan was able to secure the necessary resources from the Dutch East Indies which would help their war against China. Japan also expected to come across a revengeful America. Despite the threat, Japan believed that the resources they secured form both China and the Dutch East Indies would be sufficient in dealing with a petty
Mickey To October 22, 2012 Period 10 ~ Top 25 ~ 1. Explain how the U.S. Justified their goal of imperialism | Global competition (worldwide colonization) desire for military power Thirst for new market (trade/materials)Belief in cultural superiority (social/darwism) | 2. State how important the 1867 acquisition of Alaska was for the U.S. government | For $7.2 million the territory proud to be rich in timber and eventually oil purchased from Russia | 3. State how the Hawaiian monarchy was forced out of the power in the late 1800 | King katakaua was forced to sign a new constitution giving voting rights to wealthy property owners In 1821 queen lilioukalani promoted Hawaii for Hawaiians for this she was placed under house arrest Sanford b dole was named head of govt.