The spectacular continental expansion Westward and the advent of new technologies during the industrial revolution were rapidly allowing for new concepts and new propositions. The widespread recognition of Social Darwinism provided Americans with a sense of moral superiority – an obligation to assist backward cultures and seemingly ‘remedial’ civilisations all over the world. The Monroe Doctrine remained a bold international statement of American authority, and the new ‘Manifest Destiny’ represented action and divine guidance. America was brimming with optimism, frustration, chivalry, hope and action. Despite McKinley’s attempts at diplomacy, he was feeble opposition to the emotional magnitude of what was emerging in America.
John Hobson, an English economist, saw imperialism as inevitable, for powers of production outpace consumption resulting in more profit for the mother country (doc 2). The United States was involved in imperialism due to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which made the western hemisphere an American protectorate and their victory in the Spanish-American War making them a Pacific power. Both Europe and America believed imperialism could bring them economic power and capacity. Imperialism was not strictly confined to economics; it also included the political aims of unique states. John Hobson deemed demand for foreign markets for manufacturers and investments was responsible for the adoption of Imperialism as a political policy (doc 2).
to declare war in the summer of 1917 was America's aspirations to become a world power. Prior to this the US was a great power but that was mainly confined to the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific regions. By entering this war between all of the world's great powers, America would emerge as a major world power at the end of the war, that is the course after winning the war and stake its claim at the bargaining table. Also, entering in such a massive global war would spur the American economy and help it grow tremendously. And provide and massive industrial boom as American factories would pump out massive amounts of war supplies including machine guns, Army uniforms, and artillery pieces to name a few.
American Imperialism Imperialism is the advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas. This is how America came to be the most powerful nation, by eliminating racial discrimination. In the late Nineteenth Century, interests, ideology, and strategic interests encouraged American imperialism. Economic interests in other countries are what helped America improve their economic status. Making more trading routes around the world will increase trade with other countries.
Their desire to protect the raw materials of their industry and expand said markets, as well as their desire to spread Christianity and capitalism, led these countries to (many times forcefully) reach beyond their boundaries and limits of their own society and enslave another for their purposes. They justified their actions by assuming the “White Man’s Burden” of bringing the light of civilization to the underdeveloped areas of the world. While Europe’s powerhouses actively sought and acquired land, the United States ended up with most of their territories as a byproduct of the Spanish-American War (we planned that). Although the methods of acquisition and the justification behind the occupation and manipulation of these holdings were different, both American and European Imperialism had the same results: it stunted the growth of naturally evolving cultures and brought even greater poverty to the
Western Civilization leads in categories of politics, economics, science and technology and in each category the West gained efficiency and effectiveness. It is seen by many people that Columbus used his power to conquer the people of the new world and commit genocide and slavery but at the same time Columbus brought knowledge to these people and enabled them to become as powerful as Western Civilization. Over time, Western Civilization has faced adversity but like Columbus, they have done whatever was necessary to keep expanding Western influence. The article also clarifies the debate over Columbus because it shows that Columbus cannot be looked at as good or bad; Columbus has to be looked at as an admiral, who took necessary action in the new world to keep Western Civilization on top. If Columbus had not taken the actions that he did, the people of the new world may have overthrown him and the western influence and that could have changed the world as we know it forever.
The era following World War I witnessed the burgeoning of a new lifestyle that characterized the 1920’s. The Great War, now famously known as World War I had brought America to the forefront of the global outlook. The war time excesses in production transformed into prosperity during the next decade which would watch America seek continued isolation despite the mounting global challenges. The Great War and the ensuing Versailles Treaty had left Europe in a rather deprived and devastated state where the Europeans continued to seek cultural and economic assistance from their cross-Atlantic neighbors. With new job opportunities, progressive ideas, an air of liberalism had engulfed the American continent.
American Imperialism 1 American Imperialism Tammy Nelson HIS 204: American History Since 1865 Mark Davis November 15, 2010 American Imperialism 2 American Imperialism “American imperialism is a term referring to the political, economic, military and cultural influence of the United States. The concept of an American empire was first popularized in the aftermath of the Spanish-American war of 1898. The sources and proponents of this concept range from classical Marxist theorists of imperialism as a product of capitalism, to modern liberal and conservative theorists analyzing U.S. foreign policy.” American imperialism became very important as the United States became the most
World at the Turn of the 20th Century * Develop an understanding of the following background issues of WWI. * Imperialism The practice of increasing a nations power through taking control of another nation and/or its resources. Key imperial powers: * Britain – Control over: India, South Africa, Canada, Australia * France – Control over: Indochina, Parts of Africa * German * Ottoman Reasons for Growth of Imperialism * Late 19h & early 20th century imperialism WAS DRIVEN BY COMPETITION OF RESOURCES, POWER, STATUS, WEALTH AND PRESTIGE * Italy and Germany (along with other countries) wanted same status as Britain * ASSOCIATED WITH: dehumanising people. * AFRICA MAIN SOURCE OF RESROURCES BECAUSE:
Noah Glaser IAH 201 Section 009 Dr. Magee T.A. : Russell Stevenson At the time of the Spanish American War the United States went from relative isolation to increased global involvement because of wanting to Americanize the world and having commercial interests abroad. The consequences of this increased global involvement on American society were increased levels of racism towards Asians, specifically Japanese-Americans, and the United States establishing itself as a world power that was attempting to make the world a better place. The time of the Spanish-American War was an interesting period in history for the United States. The nation as a whole was very optimistic about the future due to the U.S becoming more influential around