ipl-logo

American Imperialism In The 1800s

545 Words3 Pages

American Imperialism
Imperialism is a policy aimed at extending a nation's power either by use of force or diplomatic means (Ninkovich 80). This implies that a powerful state gains control over another state, usually seen as weaker, through the control of its economic, political and even cultural systems. The stronger nation exerts military, political, economic and cultural influence on the weaker nation. Imperialism was present in the United States during the 1800s and the 1900s. The foreign policies at the time begun to favor imposing American ideals on other nations. Coined under the mission of uplifting backward nations, the US started exerting control to other nations. The US began to acquire new territories after the victory of the Spanish-American war in 1898. The US acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and continued to exert political, social and economic control over this states. Another very …show more content…

The supporters argued that the US has to expand to compete economically. During a period when the Europeans were establishing colonies to serve their political interests, the US had to join in the game to compete. Some argued that the US has a duty to spread civilization to nations living in the dark and other were more concerned with power. To become a world power, the US had to acquire naval bases outside the US. Alfred T. Mahan was one staunch supporter of imperialism. As a strong naval officer, he argues that the growing production of the US economy demands control of other territories. He also supported that the quest for power requires the US to gain control not only of the sea but also protected harbors outside the US. His writing and influence saw the acquisition of strategic naval bases including Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines (Ninkovich

Show More
Related

Ap Us Expansionism Dbq Analysis

447 Words | 2 Pages

Toward the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the United States was becoming an increasingly powerful nation and world power. The country was competing with other nations also expanding. Their motives for expanding were to gain land and resources. While there was a slight departure from past expansionism, the United States mostly continued as it had been in the previous years. In order to accomplish expansionism, the United States needed to acquire foreign territories to increase their global presence.

Read More

Why Did The United States Gain Economic Power

495 Words | 2 Pages

So we used our power to start imperialism and to gain allies and start a foreign policy with other countries for trade

Read More

Dbq Imperialism In America

430 Words | 2 Pages

At the turn of the 19th century, America presented the policy of imperialism and there was a ton of debate over the subject. Some say that imperialism would benefit America by increasing trade and help make this country more powerful. Others say that imperialism would be horrible for America because we are taking over countries without their permission and restricting their choice. The United States should adopt the policy of imperialism because it would help grow our country, increase trade, and help the economy.

Read More

Essay On Hawaii Imperialism

738 Words | 3 Pages

Imperialism was a controversial idea that a nation can extend its power outward through means of diplomatic or military force. This often results in a shift of power from one major force currently in control to another. The people of that nation under control conflict may also experience wars, rebellions, or cultural destruction. Looking at some of these events, we see some positives and negatives of imperialistic action taken by the United States, and how it affected the nations imperialized by the United States. For starters, let’s look at Hawaii’s annexation.

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of American Expansion

1153 Words | 5 Pages

The American countries were built out of the countries that conquered it and rebuilt over the constitution that they started. As the other countries expanded to the west, the west became a country itself and as a country, a country wants to expand. As the British, Spanish, and French empires expanded they also lost the lands, conveying the fact that the U.S. expanded slowly and made sure that none of the areas that they conquered would declare war over them for their safety and own laws. When the U.S. expanded they wanted to be sure that history doesn't repeat itself against themselves as they did. I argue that the American expansion was doing whatever a country should do, expand and upgrade, improve the culture, religion, and technology.

Read More

William Mckinley On American Expansionism

374 Words | 2 Pages

William McKinley in his thoughts on American Expansionism has identified the reasons why America had no other choice but to incorporate Philippines as a part of it. This writing has been lifted from the excerpts of an interview with William McKinley soon after Spain had surrendered in the Spanish-American war. McKinley cleverly talks in this interview about how Philippines just came and fell into the laps of America thereby suggesting the helpless stance of America. He talks about how America’s sole intention and purpose had only been to safeguard its own interests as a country. He had to order that the Spanish fleets in Manila be destroyed because if left unattended, they would have crossed the Pacific and wreaked havoc in the American states

Read More

Hawaii Imperialism Essay

1362 Words | 6 Pages

Imperialism is the practice of a nation attempting to use force, diplomacy, or other methods to expand its influence beyond its own borders. When the United States became a more powerful country, it started to want to expand its influence, especially in places where doing so would be advantageous to the country. The early 1800s saw the start of these initiatives to increase our political and economic might, as well as that of our European competitors. The Kingdom of Hawaii was one of the first territories that the United States sought to colonize. The island was a desirable option for the United States due to its geographical location as well as the abundance of natural resources including sugar cane and pineapple.

Read More

Essay On The United States From 1865 To 1940

1374 Words | 6 Pages

Imperialism represents one change in U.S. motivations for interacting with other

Read More

Compare And Contrast American Imperialism

463 Words | 2 Pages

Imperialism means that one country controls all political, economic, or cultural life in another country or region. Europe successfully did this in the Americas and established colonies in South Asia, Africa, and China. Although this would seem like a substantial amount of power, Europe did not gain much influence until later on. Once Europe recognized their own growing control, they embarked on what is now called the “New Imperialism”. Many components played into this seemingly rapid success, but one significant reason was that of the

Read More

Essay On American Imperialism In The Late 19th Century

474 Words | 2 Pages

United States Imperialism in the late 19th century was very selfish time. Many people in that time, debated about whether are not benefiting our country was the right way or the wrong way. The motiving factors that impacted our imperialism are economic, military, and cultural. These factors impacted the American Imperialism from 1890-194 by having control over weaker territories meeting our expanding needs.

Read More

Manifest Destiny: The Role Of Imperialism In The United States

1052 Words | 5 Pages

Manifest Destiny led the early Americans to the Pacific, but the European Age of Imperialism influenced the United States to start to search beyond its continental borders to grow economically. As demonstrated by westward expansion, economic interests dictated political decision-making. Not only in government, but in the military as well. Rear Admiral Alfred Mahan saw the US Navy as the protector of American sea-trade routes. Without a strong navy, American trade could not reach its full potential.

Read More

Reasons For American Imperialism In The Early 20th Century

744 Words | 3 Pages

Before the 20th century the United States was an isolationist nation but around the late 19th century America decided to convert into an imperialist power. They had numerous reasons to shift into being an imperialist nation. America didn’t want to begin imperializing to settle and live in the nations they were taking over, they already had America for that reason, they wanted to adopt these nations for what they had to offer, which was many things. America saw an opportunity to improving their nation and took it. Even if there were many causes for America to imperialize, three of them stood out the most.

Read More

Why Was Imperialism Bad

483 Words | 2 Pages

At these times, and even in today’s society; The more money you have, the more say you have in government and what goes down. (Document 3) In conclusion, imperialist use imperialism to take control over other colonies/countries to expand the borders, or to acquire vital resources. Imperialism was good because although certain leaders came around who were power hungry, many leaders wanted to build and help civilize their country. Imperialism has been the most powerful force in world

Read More

American Imperialism Analysis

813 Words | 4 Pages

Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. It is a great way to strengthen the economy and gain power and territory for countries that practice it, though it often failed and resulted in war and the deaths of innocents. Four intellectuals that played a big part in influencing American imperialism were Frederick Jackson Turner, Alfred T. Mahan, Herbert Spencer and John Fisk. All of these influencers had different ideologies and came together to justify American imperialism. They believed America needed to expand power and gain territories.

Read More

American Imperialism In The 19th Century

718 Words | 3 Pages

knew that if they wanted to become a respected world power then they were going to need to acquire a global military presence. An American leader by the name of Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist and the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued that national prosperity and power depended on control of the world 's sea-lanes. "Whoever rules the waves rules the world," Mahan wrote. To become a major naval power, the United States began to replace its wooden sailing ships with steel vessels powered by coal or oil in 1883. But control of the seas would also require the acquisition of naval bases and coaling stations.

Read More

More about American Imperialism In The 1800s

Related Topics

Open Document