Imperialism was a large part of the United States during the late 19th century and into the early 20th. This period was filled with many disagreements on the purpose of America and what they needed to do with these lands that some felt they could not govern themselves. Setting nations free only to put them back to where they were, but the only difference is that America keeps insisting these nations are already free. Nationalism was a big thing that had a hold on America, and that was one of the large reasons they felt they needed to take control over all these places around the world. The Philippine Islands were a highly sought after place that the United States really wanted to take control of and govern. Many argued against it, but it was thought by many that it was the duty of the nation to take over …show more content…
Feeling superior to other places in the world was a big thought many felt, which was their reasoning for needing to take over these lands. In the document, they declared, “The taking of the Philippines does not violate the principles of the Declaration of Independence, but will spread them among a people who have never known liberty, and who in a few years will be as unwilling to leave the shelter of the American flag as those of any other territory we ever brought beneath its folds.” (Document 6). Again, another example of the United States feeling superior to places they have tried to and have annexed, believing these people are unable to know what peace is and are incapable of being independent. Acting as if these places always need some sort of babysitter. Or is just the excuse used by the United States to state their reasoning for taking over these places, very well capable of being on their own. Stating that they are here to help and save these nations, so it can't go against our own
Economic self-interest was more effective in driving American foreign policy because the U.S wanted to protect their property. As described in War and other Essays The U.S needed to choose not to be rulers and to let Filipinos and Spanish Americans live their own lives without ...
Blood has been spilled all over the ground of the Philippines. The United States fought a small war with Spain in 1898. The United States ended up getting Cuba and the Philippine Islands as a war prize. Cuba got their independence, but the United States decided to keep the Philippine Islands by annexing them (Background Essay). Should the United States have annexed the Philippines? Annexed means to join or combine a smaller country with a bigger country. The United States should have annexed the Philippine Islands because they needed guidance to become a better country, couldn't give the Philippine Islands to other countries, and there was nothing else the United States could do with them.
The first reason the United States should have annexed the Philippines is because it is our duty to as a country to spread the values of democracy overseas. For example, as stated here in Albert J. Beveridge’s campaign speech he says, “ Do we owe no duty to the world?… it is ours to save for liberty and civilization (Doc B).” He is saying that it is our duty as a sovereign nation to help an uncivilized nation modernize, industrialize, . another example, is from William Mcki...
The most predominate justification for imperialism, at least for business America, was to expand its economic interests throughout the world. First off, as the American domestic market for manufactured goods seemed to be shrinking many American business interests started search for ways to keep their businesses expanding; the best way to do this was to rival European imperialism and thus rival European markets (Hewitt, 622-624). Additionally, during the 1870s and 1890s the economy cycle was characterized with booms then busts but it wasn't until the depression of the 1890s did America see its greatest economic contraction; this led political and business leaders alike to search for foreign markets and create them (Hewitt, 623). Furthermore, not only were business leaders looking to sell their goods overseas by acquiring territories as a launch pad into new markets, an example of this was acquiring Guam and the Philippines to have easier access into the Chinese Market, but business leaders also looked to acquire te...
Following the Spanish-American war it thought that it was America’s duty to help them form a civilized society. In reality it was the idea of imperialism that if we did it before with Hawaii why we can’t do it again with the Philippines.
) Miss Columbia’s School House at 1894 and Emilio Aguinaldo Criticizes American Imperialism in the Philippines at 1899 illustrates the perception of being foreigners among the Americans. Among the short male figures outside the gates, is Hawaii (the men is carrying the Hawaiian flag) and Alaska. Around the 1950’s, the two states became part of America. Miss Columbia is the teacher and is in charged among the students. But inside the school house there is somewhat chaos happening with the different diverse people. An African American is running away from the school because a white male is stabbing him with some type of weapon. In 1865, slavery was outlawed but segregation was still permitted until 1964. African American were treated poorly among
Imperialism is defined as a policy to dominant other countries and rule them. Then, these new colonies surrender their markets, industries, and resources to their invaders. “US imperialism, supported by US politicians, was intended to bring profits to US manufacturers (capitalists)…” (lecture4-p13). Although the period of 1890-1910 is usually known as “the age of the US imperialism”, the US imperialism is not limited to that era. Overseas imperialism began during 1890-1910 with the invasion of Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, which was an attempt to expand the American’s territory to reach natural resources such as minerals, timber, oil, and land. These new territories could also provide corporations with cheap workers and military bases. There have been numerous other examples of the US imperialism. Starting from North America, the US government took over the Pacific Ocean and found its way into Asia. “A State Department list... shows 103 interventions in the affairs of other countries between 1798 and 1895” (Zinn-12), including Argentina, Uruguay, China, Angola, Nicaragua, and Japan to protect American’s interests in those countries. The same motivation was pursued in attacking Vietnam. According to Zinn, the main reason of the US intervention in WWII was to follow its imperial interests. “For those interests, in the thirties, an anti-Soviet
The United States should not annex the Philippine islands, the Philippines, already a country of their own should not be forced to adapt to American culture and civilization. Prior to the annexation of the Philippines, America had major conflict with Spain in order to free Cuba from their brutal tactics for dominance. Tension continued to rise, until President Mckinley decided to take action and go to war against Spanish forces to enable a more stable government as well as provide protection for the citizens of Cuba. After months of fighting, the Spanish admitted defeat and began discussing peace terms of the Treaty of Paris. In this treaty Cuba was guaranteed independence, also the Spanish were forced to give up Guam and Puerto Rico. They Spanish also complied to selling the Philippines to the U.S for 20 million. However, the Filipinos wanted independence, not just a change in who governed them, this desire led many Philippine citizens to break out, beginning the Philippine- American war, which lasted three years, and caused the death of over two hundred thousand American and Filipino citizens.
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Imperialism was a popular trend among the large, powerful countries. Imperialism is defined as “The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations”. Imperialism cannot be said as either good or bad, but as a general rule: If you live in an annexed country, imperialism is not good, if your country annexes smaller ones to gain profit, land, and respect, then imperialism is good. The United States was not much of an imperialistic country until we won the Spanish-American war. As a result of this war, we annexed Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.
An additional argument in favor of U.S. imperialism was that of Charles Denby and his explanation of why we should not give up the ‘foothold’ we have in the Philippines. According to Denby, commerce was the most important factor to a nation’s well-being. Denby felt that by keeping hold in the Philippines China’s market was much more easily accessible. China having a very profitable market and t...
The truth is I didn’t want the Philippines, and when they came to us, as a gift from the gods, I did not know what to do with them.… I sought counsel from all sides— Democrats as well as Republicans—but got little help. I thought first we would take only Manila; then Luzon; then other islands perhaps also. I walked the floor of the White House night after night until midnight; and I am not ashamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one night. And one night late it came to me this way… that we could not give them back to Spain… that we could not leave them to themselves— they were unfit for self-government… [and] that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them.” (Thomas G. Paterson and Dennis
American Imperialism American Imperialism has been a part of United States history ever since the American Revolution. Imperialism is the practice by which powerful nations or people seek to expand and maintain control or influence over weaker nations or peoples. Throughout the years there have been many instances where the Americans have taken over other people's countries, almost every time we go into we have taken over a new piece of land. The Americas first taste of imperialism came about five hundred years ago when Columbus came to America. We fought the pleasant inhabitants and then took over their land, making them slaves.
Imperialism is a policy that is used by stronger nations to extend political, economic or military control to weaker nations around the world. American imperialism existed between the 1890 and 1913.President Theodore Roosevelt was a very influential person during American imperialism age. Military backround gave Roosevelt a very strong following of people, so when the idea of imperialism was brought up to United states citizens by Roosevelt through speechs the minds of citizens quickly changed. Roosevelt claimed that "we do not admire the man of timid peace. We admire the man who embodies victorious effort." The United States wanted to expand because the United states wanted a stronger military, indutrilization and many more reasons. After the start of American imperialism there where many positive and negative effects like the construction of the pananma canal. Panma also gained independence ,The United States also became a very powerful place in the world. The Philippines, Alaska, Cuba , Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam and mexico where all places in the world the United states was involved in during the imperialism age.
We play a pretty big role in the world today, as in status wise. A lot of countries respect us because of the integrity and greatness that we have achieved. Overall, I will talk about how imperialism existed in the American 19th and 20th century, as well as explain the causes of this time and the effects that resulted in our lives today. Imperialism is the policy or action by which one country controls another country or territory. Most such control is achieved by military means to gain economic and political advantages.
In 1898, in an effort to free Cuba from the oppression of its Spanish colonizers, America captured the Philippines. This brought about questions of what America should do with the Philippines. Soon, controversy ensued both in the American political arena as well as among its citizens. Throughout its history, America had always been expansionistic, but it had always limited itself to the North American continent. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, however, there emerged a drive to expand outside of the continent. When America expanded to the Philippines, the policy it followed was a stark break from past forms of expansionism. Despite much controversy, America followed the example of the imperialistic nations in Europe and sought to conquer the Philippines as an imperialist colony that they would rule either directly or indirectly.