But Americans were not backing down; in fact it was the exact opposite. John Jays letter to Parliament and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” were two amongst many publishing’s strongly stating that ties from Britain would mean the flourishing of free trade for America. America, with the assistance of France, would soon gain this independence politically and would soon look into commercial trade as a crucial issue. Through Benjamin Franklins views, Americans believed that “the War of Independence was as much about guaranteeing commercial freedom as it was about securing natural rights”(Lambert 40). However much they thought Independence politically would translate to the trading world Americans would soon find that “demanding a full measure of independence at home, they would undermine the independence of America in the Atlantic world” (Lambert
Beveridge explains that the U.S. had become a great nation by making the right decisions and always wanting more for its people. He asks why stop now? The opportunity to add the Philippine territory can only benefit us as a country and open up more opportunities for our nations citizens right? Beveridge says, “Shall we be as the man who had one talent and hid it, or as he who had ten talents and used them until they grew to riches?” (109) He explains that the Philippines will provide new markets for our factories to produce for, new markets for our farmers to produce for, new markets for our ships to deliver goods to, and new markets for which our merchants could sell to.
The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 remains to have significant influence across every nation. Sovereigns upon this international stage have adopted this political order as part of their foreign policy. Initially established by President James Monroe, it has become a longstanding presence within the United States foreign policy over the years. The original purpose of the Monroe Doctrine was to secure the “continents” of the United States from outside threats; more importantly, from any further advancement of the European nation. As a young nation maturing into a respected power, the United States, a spectator society as it were, would ideally police and protect their “brethren republics” of Latin America and other nations within the Western
At that time, imperialism was a trend around the world. America became an imperialist nation because of economic reasons, military interest, and cultural superiority. Foreign policy experts insisted that U.S leaders should set up a military presence out of the country. Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor became the naval base for the United States. It was a refueling station for American military and merchant ships headed to Asia.
American Foreign Policy Theodore Roosevelt had a diplomacy called the “Big Stick Diplomacy.” It was the slogan used to describe Roosevelt’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. The main purpose was to get Latin American nations to honor their financial commitments. The biggest outcome of the diplomacy was the Panama Canal to be able to make trade and goods shipped faster. Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine was used to justify the United States’ “international police power” into Europe. It was issued to prevent any wrongdoings in any European nations.
B. Summary of Evidence This so-called Roosevelt Corollary—a corollary is an extension of a previous idea—to the Monroe Doctrine contained a great irony. The Monroe Doctrine had been sought to prevent European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, but now the Roosevelt Corollary justified American intervention throughout the Western Hemisphere. In 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt renounced interventionism and established his Good Neighbor policy within the Western Hemisphere.3 The effects of the Roosevelt Corollary and Monroe Doctrine played a role in several issues in Latin America. For example, Panama has perpetually been the recipient of worldwide attention, due to its location.
In other words, it was the geopolitical situation that “justified” the western powers to win the “hearts and minds” of the world and to gain potential allies and keeping strategic ones. Through setting up governments and policies to suit their tastes, the western powers (largely the US) will gain client states throughout strategic regions in order to create more buffers against the communist bloc. And for the countries of the south, modernization theory was then the ideological basis of promising a better future4a- but, of course- only to the newly ruling classes that were accumulating westernization for their own benefits, and that of their own
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.
March 16, 2011 Imperialism The topic of Imperialism is a broad one with a relatively short history in the United States. Although Imperialism is short lived within the United States it played a very important role in advancing the United States into a world power. One of the most influential figures in Imperialism was Alfred Thayer Mahan who wrote the book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1805. This book was one of the main reasons the United States built up the navy, and one of the key reasons why the Spanish were easily beaten in the Spanish American War. The Spanish American war was one of the first major steps in American Imperialism.
It was through this war that the US was able to finally emerge as a strong world power and obtain new strategic territories. The US acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands that gave us foot holds on both sides of the country that resulted in new resources for the mainland. In the process of gaining new territories, in 1898 they also gained full control of Hawaii, which was a big resourceful gain for the US and having a strategic island territory in center of the Pacific left the US in great