Imperialism Dbq Essay

In the late nineteenth and century, many Americans agree with the view of imperialism, but in the early twentieth century America disagreed with the overseas expansion because they believed it went against the whole U.S. believe in freedom and self-rule. Many Americans believed it was the U.S. burden to teach undeveloped countries into civilization; therefore, the U.S. helped Cuba and the Philippines after the and during Spanish-American War. As Time progressed, Americans did not want to get involved in any other war. As a result, the U.S.passed the Espionage Act of 1917 to avoid entering future warfare.

In the beginning of the Spanish-American War, the U.S. had to decide how they would recognize their acquired land. The Philippines were showing some resistance to U.S. presence. Many politicians argued the Philippines only brought the U.S. problems and not benefits. Anti-imperialists, such as William Jennings Bryan, emphasized the irony of American’s believe of self-rule by trying to control another country(Doc 6). Yet, Theodore Roosevelt believed it was the U.S. responsibility to civilize and guide the Philippines to acquire a self-rule government of

role as a world power. As the political cartoon demonstrates, there is an eagle, which represents the United States, who has a hold of Puerto Rico, Panama, Philippines, and the U.S. This shows how the U.S. was practicing imperialism during the early nineteenth century by acquiring other countries(Doc 7). While the U.S. had control of these countries, many politicians argued it went against the United States’ foundation of self-rule. For example, William Graham Sumner argued that the imperialist were brainwashing Americans by stating Philippines were not fit for liberty and it was the U.S. burden to guide these people(Doc 2). Yet, President McKinley argued that we could not give the Phillips back to Spain nor turn them over to Germany or France(Doc