American Imperialism In The Early 1900's

From the 1800’s through the early 1900’s, Americans pursued imperialism and closely related it to Social Darwinism. This left a positive impact on America through the military and economic worlds.

The United States felt that the colonies were greatly affected by the military power. Militarism and imperialism were closely related because imperialism meant the stronger taking control of weaker and having a strong military is what America wanted to have. Europeans have been taking control for years and America felt imperialism would make their military stronger. Military power was considered a measure of national and imperial strength. A powerful state needed a powerful military to protect its interests and support its policies. “Seeing that other nations were establishing a global military presence, American leaders advised that the United States build up its own military strength”(Holt 549) Strong armies and navies were needed to defend the country, to protect trade, and stay strong against threats and rivals. Admiral Alfred T. Mahan of the U.S. Navy urged the government officials to strengthen and put

The United states needed more material for the factories and new, different markets for its goods. “Imperialists viewed foreign trade as the solution to American overproduction and the related problems of unemployment and economic depression”(Holt 549). The motive for nineteenth-century European imperialism is that imperialism would benefit the economies of the colonial powers. Some Americans formed the idea that Social Darwinism came into play. “A belief that free-market competition would lead to the survival of the fittest”(Holt 550). America was growing and reaching to the top of the economy list of the world and many believed that the United States had the responsibility to help the inferior