ipl-logo

American Imperialism In The 20th Century

950 Words4 Pages

During the time period of 1895-1920, as the United States entered the 20th century, America based its foreign policies on imperialism and the spreading to other nations. Inquiries on whether the nation should operate its power and influence beyond the North, became the essential topic of national discussion and debate. Although anti-imperialists argued that America was foresaking the republican ideals of the nation’s founders, advocates of imperialism argued that the United States had an obligation to promote democracy, civilization, and free trade to the world. Cases such as the Spanish-American War, china, and Panama demonstrated that when it came to negotiating with other nations, the United States government often started from an idealistic …show more content…

This war originated in the cuban struggle for independence from Spain in February 1895. And Spain’s brutally repressive measures to halt the rebellion were graphically portrayed for the U.S. public by several sensational newspapers, and American sympathy for the rebels rose. All changed after the unexplained sinking in Havana harbour of the battleship USS Maine, which had been sent to protect U.S. citizens and property after anti-Spanish rioting in Havana. Spain announced an armistice on April 9 and speeded up its new program to grant Cuba limited powers of self-government, but the U.S. Congress soon afterward issued resolutions that declared Cuba’s right to independence, demanded the withdrawal of Spain’s armed forces from the island, and authorized the President’s use of force to secure that withdrawal while renouncing any U.S. design for annexing Cuba. Self-interest then became the primary objective for the US government after knowing that it could obtain Cuba and expand it’s power beyong it’s own borders. The United States’ entry into it’s war with Spain started cries of liberty for the Cuban people but ended with the hostility occupation of the philipines, and the chains of the Platt Amendment that established the eight conditions to which the Cuban Government had to agree before the withdrawl of the U.S. forces and the transfer of soverignty would begin. With the Treaty of Paris, Spain renounced all claim to Cuba, and ceded Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States, and transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the United States for $20,000,000. (Document A,

Show More
Related

1920s Imperialism Dbq

126 Words | 1 Pages

Between the 1870s and the 1920s, imperialism increased because of economic, social, and political forces. Economically, many groups were interested in colonizing other countries because of their natural resources. Socially, they wanted to make themselves the highest and they wanted to look the best. Politically, they wanted to make more income and be the richest country. Two groups in particular were the most interested in imperialism.

Read More

Factors Driving Us Foreign Policy Between 1877 And 1973

754 Words | 4 Pages

The main factors driving US foreign policy between 1877 and 1973 were materialistic gain through land and economic opportunities. One could contend that businessmen and farmers had the most at stake when it came to the United States deciding to intervene in other countries endeavors. There are several events in history that prove the US government and policy makers were being driven by the business community to increase personal and economic gain. Businessmen and farmers pushed policy makers for an open door policy when it came to the matter of international trading and selling. In 1953 through 1954 the United States militantly forced Japan into opening their ports to US sellers.

Read More

Anti Imperialism Dbq Essay

1007 Words | 5 Pages

When America, as we know it today, was created, it had just freed itself from an unwanted, suffocating European power. The people wanted nothing to do with foreign affairs and their presidents’ policies reflected that. As America moved forward and established themselves as a world power, they began to want more. At the turn of the twentieth century, this want for more hit its peak and because of other circumstances, more was just within reach. America had always prided themselves in staying out of foreign problems and focusing inward, but now a new age was dawning.

Read More

Why Did The United States Contributed To The Spanish American War

461 Words | 2 Pages

Prior to the Spanish-American War of 1898, the majority of Latin America already won their independence from Spain, however, Cuba was an exception due to its surplus of sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. This control imposed by Spain on Cuba left Cuban citizens resenting their rule due to a multitude of issues, particularly their high taxation and Spain’s rule on Cuba repelling Cubans any political representation in their own country. This distaste for the repressive rules that Spain inflicted on Cuba caused many failed attempts for independence, including the Ten Years’ War and the Little War. The United States sympathized with the Cubans and set out to help. The aid of the United States contributed to the Spanish-American War in 1898, which ended the colonial rule of Spain is

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of American Imperialism

1764 Words | 8 Pages

As America became a great power, it has continued its legacy of territorial expansionism through neo-imperialist policies. Aside from acquiring land and expanding American territory, the United States has established policies that have allowed direct and often indirect military and political control, economic exploitation, and the introduction of American ideals. The U.S. has justified this form of colonialism by claiming that it is for mutual economic pursuits, the spreading of democracy, and the establishment of stable governments in developing countries. Despite America’s noble causes, American imperialism has caused many repercussions. The United States should cease to be an imperialist power as it is economically damaging to countries under its rule, costly to America, violates the fundamental American principle of self-governance, and exacerbates social and political situations in countries America has tampered with.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Essay On American Imperialism

392 Words | 2 Pages

Essay One: Imperialism Flies circle great black lumps as the moist air ravages the corpses. Dried blood soaked into the ground after faceless soldiers brutally destroyed its owners’ lives. These were the stories in the newspapers, the movies, and the films. Horrified by these crimes against humanity, the American public was spurred into action against the Spanish oppressors. the United States invaded Cuba in 1898 to pursue humanitarian efforts.

Read More

America's Imperialistic Period

95 Words | 1 Pages

During America’s imperialistic period they saw Middle America as another optimal position to take for trade routes to the west from eastern America. Many islands in the gulf, and lower were also needed for many reasons. One such place was Cuba, Cuba was against Spain, and wanted to be separate of its state. Cuba asked for the assistance of America, and was granted access to this assistance. Eventually Spain was driven out, and Cuba was put under the Monroe Doctrine, allowing America some control.

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

The Spanish American War Summary

343 Words | 2 Pages

Spain was dead set on not leaving Cuba and going back to Spain. In a sense America and Spain would have settled this issue quickly if the Maine

Read More

Labor Unions In The 19th Century

1517 Words | 7 Pages

A very publicized battle took place in July at San Juan Hill in Cuba. This battle was known for including Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders and made him a national hero. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris that gave the US the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Cuba was recognized as an independent nation but was made to pass the Platt Amendment in their constitution. The Platt Amendment allowed the United States to intervene militarily whenever they saw fit.

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

The Consequences Of Imperialism In The Early 20th Century

1255 Words | 6 Pages

The early 20th century had a remarkable impact on human kind, creating ripples in the continuum of history that are still felt in modern times. The biggest and by far the most remarkable event was World War 1. It's main trigger being the assassination of Archduke Franz the war began tragic and tense. In an attempt to prevent Germany from becoming too powerful, other European joined powers for what was to be an exhausting and long battle of attrition. The war was essentially a huge chain of events, tracing back to the Franco-Prussian War and the actions of important people like Otto Von Bismarck.

Read More

What Caused America's Imperialistic Past?

778 Words | 4 Pages

Through examination of current and past textbooks, and comparing how they describe what caused America’s involvement in Cuba, one can be seen how America has slowly come to terms with its imperialistic past. Shortly following the Spanish American War, Americans chose to overlook the mistakes their country had made during the war. They insistently held on to their belief that America was the heroic force of the war, freeing defenseless Cubans from the oppressive rule of Spain.

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

At the start of the 19th century, America was already expanding its territory. In 1803, the United States of America had bought the Louisiana Territory, it was bought from France which had made the country two times larger. In 1819 Spain had given up their territory of Florida to the United States. President Monroe issued the “Monroe Doctrine” in 1823, its main purpose was to warn the European countries to not enter the Western Hemisphere. In order for America to achieve its goal of becoming an imperialist nation they had conquered other countries economically, culturally, and with a strong military in the late 1800’s.

Read More

More about American Imperialism In The 20th Century

Related Topics

Open Document