American Imperialism In The 19th Century

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American Imperialism began at the start of the 19th century, but many Americans had different views on whether imperialism was proper and legal. Many Americans at the turn of the century believed that bringing new nations into the United States was necessary to improve America. Legally, imperialism violated the Constitution and contradicted statements in the Declaration of Independence and Washington's Farewell Address. American Imperialism was deemed proper because it involved the idea of Social Darwinism and helped improve American industries. The need to obtain land to increase trading and materials led many countries, such as England, France, and Germany, to take control of most of Africa and Asia for industrial reasons. After the American Frontier was officially closed according to the 1890 census, the push for American Imperialism increased to expand American opportunity. The Spanish-American War in 1898 also led to American Imperialism. The defeat of Spain left Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines to the United States. Most Americans during the turn of the 19th century were Christian Anglo-Saxons who believed in Social Darwinism, or the idea of “survival of the fittest”. This led to many Americans wanting to Americanize the obtained Spanish territories. The United States had also annexed Hawaii in 1898, which made many Americans question American Imperialism. Groups such as the Anti-Imperialist League led the debate on whether imperialism was proper and legal. American Imperialism during the early 20th century was proper because it helped American industry and went along with the popular idea of Social Darwinism, but it was not legitimate because imperialism went against the Constitution and disagreed with America’s founding fathers’ views on foreign interactions.

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