Negative Effects Of American Imperialism

The Negative Force of American Expansionism and Imperialism Many people believe that American Expansionism and Imperialism was a positive force, that it did more good than bad. However, many people disagree with this popular notion. Many good things did come out of it, but the bad ultimately trumps the good. There were several problems between whites and Natives and because of the problems countless people died To start off, American Expansionism and Imperialism brought isolation to America. By 1850, America controlled the territory between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, but only part of the territory had been settled by whites, specifically. Many Natives lived between the east and the west. The Treaty of Paris added territory to the west, which was Indian territory.
“The basic pattern was frontiersman would move into Indian land. The government would do nothing. Indians would take matters into their own hands. Whites would retaliate. The government would then step in, and
Whites found gold in Sioux land and wanted the Sioux to sell their land. The Sioux said no, and so the whites invaded. “Anyway, this was all the excuse needed for government to pour resources into subduing Sioux and negotiating a new treaty (1876) which ceded the Black Hills. And much hunting ground. This: destroyed way of life, disrupted leadership, destroyed economy, destroyed religion, and created conflicts among Indians themselves.” In 1878, the Timber and Stone Act let people buy land that was “unfit for cultivation” for really cheap prices.
American Expansionism and Imperialism did more bad than good, mostly out of selfish ambition. Because of the problems that happened during the late 1800s, numerous people, both whites and natives, died. They died mainly because of land. None of the problems had to happen if both sides were patient with each other and understanding, but that is not how history