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Compare And Contrast American Foreign Policy In The Gilded Age And The Progressive Era

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Dani Nelson
2/25/2017
Dr. Jones
American Foreign Policy in Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1880-1920)
HIST111: United States History After 1877

Over 100 years ago, the United States was looking to become the international power it is today. Establishing foreign policy through territorial expansionism in Hawaii, interventionism in Cuba, and imperialism in the Philippines was the major reason for the United States becoming a modern world power between 1880-1920. Before the 1880s, the United States had never really had foreign policy with any countries on the other side of the world. Policy had always been based upon the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that European nations were not allowed to interfere with nations in the Western Hemisphere, …show more content…

However, in 1891, King Kalakaua died and Queen Liliuokalani took over. She was insulted that the white Americans had control of her government and decided to make a new treaty to give power back to the natives. The American residents fought back and called on the United States to help them. The U.S. Boston was sent to help them and Queen Liliuokalani surrendered. The United States immediately tried to annex Hawaii, but the Senate wouldn’t sign the annexation treaty. A joint resolution was passed in 1898 by President McKinley for Hawaii to officially become …show more content…

The U.S. was given more land to control, including the Philippine islands, which McKinley found to be a problem because the islands were so far away and expanded over thousands of miles. Eventually, McKinley decided to annex the Philippines, and American support for the foreign policy soon followed. American imperialism was embraced by many because it allowed for the United States to get closer to becoming a major player on the world stage. Some believed it was their duty to “Christianize” the Filipinos; others believed it was a stepping stone for trade with China. Those in opposition of annexing the Philippines, especially the Anti-Imperialist League, believed that it didn’t align with American

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