American Imperialism Dbq

Although America had a strong tradition of expansionism, such as Manifest Destiny toward the west, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the United States had to change the focus of their expansion as to accommodate expanding international interactions, strengthening navy, trade, negotiation, and warfare.

Socially, in past America continued to show superiority through Manifest Destiny and establishing communities by movement west. They believed in governing the Mexicans, American Indians, and African Americans because they were incapable of establishing or participating in democratic, efficient governance. Their ruling was seen as a proof of the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race over the “savage tribes” of the West. In the 19th and 20th century international interactions increased and dominance continued through the progressive era, and age of

imperialism. Some Americans questioned the imperialists or pro-expansionists. They doubted the need to expand and its importance to the betterment of the country. In document D, the Anti-Imperialist League, wrote a very bias and patriotic message to imperialists to show the stand that they were taking. They promoted the belief that the imperialism was unconstitutional, and it angered them that we used “criminal aggression” and “ruthless slaughter” on the Philippines. However, imperialists, such as those in Document E, argued that Americans were God’s chosen people and will lead to the regeneration of the world.
Politically, Document F gives a good example of the government’s view of expansion.

Their main two reasons for colonization of South America and the Caribbean Islands is the need to strengthen the navy and warfare. Theodore Roosevelt also believed that Americans were helping the countries they colonized. He stated that “any country whose people conduct themselves well can count upon our hearty friendship.” This means that those countries who are not abstinent to the U.S.’s military and the government will be taken over peacefully. The war with Mexico, the Spanish-American war, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Philippine-American war are. Through regional expansion and as more immigrants poured into the U.S. looking for work people migrated west with little encouragement from the government and little argument. The government believed that this would benefit the economy of America and diplomacy. The image in document G shows the Open Door Policy and demonstrates American and foreign policy in terms of trade with China. It emphasizes the leadership of America and growth as an international

superpower.
Anti-imperialists were worried about the about the cultural identity of the nation. Document A’s image is titled, “The World Plunderers.” This had a negative connotation of the foreign wars and race to colonize or “help” as many countries as they can. The Americans believed they could expand their markets, because as document C states, “the growing production of the country demands it.” The competition of growing European colonies and advanced civilization in Japan put pressure on trade and negotiation between continents. Queen Liliuokalani from Hawaii was deposed by a coalition of U.S. Marines and businessmen. The U.S. annexed Hawaii and we were able to take control of the sugar plantations they had there. From helping Panama gain their independence from Columbia the U.S. acquired the Panama Canal Zone and completed the building of it. This increased the trade and markets between the South American countries.