It was treaty after treaty trying to avoid warfare and give all countries an identical playing field. America, while struggling for independence in the Atlantic, finally achieved their goals through warfare. The triumphs at Tripoli and the Algiers “had allowed the United States to attain the long-sought goal of extending its independence to the high seas” (Lambert 211). The Algerian War ended the thirty year process of America trying to rid itself of piracy from the Barbary States. This now showed that the US, through the actions of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison, was not only an autonomous trading power in the Atlantic, but also “matched its place in the world with its national boasts” (Lambert
Jose Gomez 2/2/13 AP US History American Imperialism In 1890, the United States declared war on the Spanish in which was the beginning of not only the Spanish-American War, but also the age of modern American imperialism. The Spanish American war was a quick and easy victory over the Spanish, due to Americas newly established navy superpower. After the victory, the United States had to decide what they would do with the gained territories. The United States decided to annex Puerto Rico and Hawaii, gave Cuba their independence, and assisted the Philippines until they too would be suitable to hold their own independence. The United States then purchased Alaska and imperialized other Pacific islands such as the islands of Samoa and Atlantic island such as Guam.
In the 1700s, Europeans saw numerous opportunities in the New World. They envisioned the colonization as a chance for them to live a free and prosperous life, but, in reality, the American colonists faced many setbacks. The tension between Great Britain and the New England colonies led to American Revolution. In Transcript of Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson acknowledged how the act of force was a rational option in order to obtain liberty from Great Britain; however, in The Rise and Fall of the Newburgh Conspiracy, George Marshall depicted how there is a more reasonable alternative to resolving problems within the new independent country. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson explained how governments should not be overthrown for petty reasons, but he believed the King of Great Britain had taken the situation too far.
Rough Copy In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began, as the American Colonies wanted to achieve independence from the British Monarchy. Even though many reasons were sighted out for the revolution, one in particular sticks out. King George III outlawed the interest free independent currency the thirteen colonies were producing and using themselves. This in turn forced the colonies to borrow money from the Central Bank of England, which put the colonies into immediate debt. The Federal Reserve Bank was alleged to be a step towards the “One World Government”, simply by manipulating the international monetary system and the media in order to create a monopoly.
With British imperial power collapsing during World War II, the United States was ready to move in. Hull said early in the war:Leadership toward a new system of international relationships in trade and other economic affairs will devolve very largely upon the United States because of our great economic strength. We should assume this leadership, and the responsibility that goes with it, primarily for reasons of pure national self-interest.” This point got my attention because it reminded me of the “white man‟s burden” that we talked about regarding imperialism, except that in this case the idea of acting out of “pure national self-interest” is plainly stated, not hidden behind a mask of good will. “The economic aid countries would need after the war was already seen in political terms: Averell Harriman, ambassador to Russia, said in early 1944: "Economic assistance is one of the most effective weapons at our disposal to influence European political events in the direction we desire,.. ."
However, England thought the American colonies would be best suited to their crown and parliament, because ruling the North American continent was a privilege only strong countries could have. The French and Indian war: It all started when the united thirteen states decided to fight for their independence. They joined together to break the British Empire. One of the main reasons was the French and Indian war, also known as the `Seven Years War’,
This leads me to wonder why the U.S. decided to intervene in the Spanish War. I may never know the real reason but I would like to know. Ries and Weber stated; “The year 1898 was a landmark in the transition of the United States from a republic to an imperial power.” They no longer felt the need to acknowledge economic as being the motive for interest it is now talk of Democracy. Americans are still declaring they have values and standards and are the model for the rest of the world. How true that is yet to be seen as far as I am concerned.
The American War- a Revolution or not? It is well argued by many historians that the great nation of the USA came into being by a civil war and not a revolution. A civil war is when two parties from opposite groups resort to force to decide who will govern a country. It might have partly been a civil war because it’s true that the Americans were fighting against the British. However it was the first time settlers of a colony had challenged their parent country and fought hard to win their independence, and by doing so set up a government with its own laws and constitutions- which is the perfect example of a revolution.
US Imperialism in Latin America Latin America's residence close to the United States made the improvement of relations between the two countries imperative during the beginning of the 20th century. William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State for Woodrow Wilson, was seen as fairly important to the Imperialism. Although Bryan claimed that he was against imperialistic actions, he was still viewed by the economy as a successor of Imperialism. In 1898, the United States was on its way to war and desire for empire. The edge for war was initiated by the Cuban rebels who were revolting against Spanish control over Latin America.
When Cuba rebelled again in 1895, the United States was primed and ready to involve itself in a new foreign land. Coupled with “yellow journalism,” which was embellishing stories for the sake of higher circulation, the plight of Cuban rebels captured the hearts of American citizens (Henretta & Brody, 2009, p. 616). The Spanish-American war served as a cure for American cabin fever, and helped materialize a foreign policy toward national expansion. As the U.S. Navy defeated Spain in the Philippines, it was determined that America needed to use this as an opportunity to get a foothold in the West Pacific. Beyond the physical expansion of occupying Manila, it enabled America to open a trade route with China, which was rapidly being gathered up by the other world powers.