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Moral Impact Of Imperialism On Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba, And Nicaragua

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Imperialism is a political and economic system in which one country extends its power and influence over other countries or territories. This often involves the use of military force, colonization, and the exploitation of natural resources and labor. As a Utilitarian moral anti-realist, I believe that moral values and obligations are not grounded in any objective moral reality, but rather in the subjective preferences of individuals and societies. Therefore, I approach the examination of the moral impact of imperialism on Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, Cuba, China, and Nicaragua from a consequentialist perspective, evaluating the outcomes of these events based on their net effects on the well-being of the affected individuals and communities. …show more content…

The US intervention supported the oppressive regime of Anastasio Somoza, which perpetuated political violence, human rights abuses, and economic inequality. This undermined the autonomy and well-being of the Nicaraguan people and contributed to a legacy of political instability and conflict in the country. From a Utilitarian perspective, the moral impact of US imperialism on Nicaragua was overwhelmingly negative, as it perpetuated a regime of oppression and violence that harmed the well-being of the Nicaraguan …show more content…

It may also help to spread political and social values that could promote greater human rights and democracy. On the other hand, imperialism often involves the imposition of foreign rule, exploitation of resources and labor, and the suppression of local autonomy and sovereignty, which could result in significant harm and suffering for affected populations. Overall, from a Utilitarian perspective, imperialism is likely to be seen as morally bad or at least highly questionable, due to its potential to cause significant harm and suffering for those affected. However, the moral evaluation of imperialism depends on the specific context and outcomes of each case, and there may be some situations where imperialism could be morally justifiable or even beneficial in the long run, if it does not cause undue harm to affected individuals and communities. Regarding World War I, the US initially abstained from the conflict, as President Woodrow Wilson sought to maintain a position of neutrality and avoid entanglement in European conflicts. However, the US eventually entered the war after the sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, by a German U-boat, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians, including 128

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In March 1917, German torpedoes hit three American ships. The ships were stopped and plundered. There was no way the sinking could have been a mistake. This, and other events like the Lusitania, alienated America the Central Powers and forced them into the war on the Allies’ side. The mounting tension caused by the plundering forced the United States into World War I. After the Lusitania sunk, German sentiment disappeared in America and the country soon entered the

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This unknown fact of American being neutral or not, ultimately lead to the United States needing to enter World War I. Although the United States President at the time, Woodrow Wilson, explained the reasoning for the U.S. entering WWI was because of Germany’s submarine warfare, the violence toll that Germany took on America relates back to the concealed matter of the nation of the United States actually being neutral throughout the time before war

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As he had wanted to start the war through democracy the sinking of the Lusitania and the 1198 people killed of which 128 were Americans also impacted the decision of going to war. However, on April 2, 1917, Wilson finally asked Congress to declare war on Germany, citing the country's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, as well as its attempts to incite Mexico to attack the U.S. Congress, declared war on Germany on April 6. In sum, the United States entered World War I primarily due to German actions that threatened American lives and interests, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the use of submarines to attack American ships, and the Zimmermann Telegram. Additionally, economic ties, President Woodrow Wilson's belief in a moral duty to fight for democracy and self-determination, as well as to end the war quickly and end the suffering caused by the conflict played an important

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Lusitania was an unarmed British passenger ship carrying 128 American citizens that was sunk by German submarines on May 8, 1915. This incident was before U.S. entered the war. The death of American Citizens fueled the American public opinion to get involved. The sinking of Lusitania was not enough to push America in war but the Black Tom Explosion got U.S.to consider going to war. This is shown in document 8, a photo of the aftermath of the Black Tom Explosion.

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President Theodore Roosevelt had also thought the same as President McKinley. Roosevelt had said in his speech, “The Strenuous Life”, “…I have even scanter patience with those who make a pretense of humanitarianism to hide and cover their timidly” (Doc 5). Imperialism easily grew through the strong leaders of the United

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America asked for Germany’s boats to be taken away, especially toward the end of 1914, and the beginning of 1915. Germany did not move their boats, and declared the waters surrounding Great Britain to be combat areas and cautioned against ships in those areas. On May 7th, 1915, a British cruise ship the Lusitania was sunk by German U-boats. Though the ship was British, some of the passengers that drowned included 128 American citizens. However, six days before the incident, an ad in an American newspaper warned of traveling on cruise ships.

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Despite imperialism being unconstitutional and undemocratic, American Imperialism was an economic necessity to further commerce. China had all the customers, and for the U.S. to be economically successful they needed to improve their naval power. This need brought on the Panama Canal, as Roosevelt wanted to save both time and money for commercial and military shipping. On top of this, the U.S. also took interest in Cuba -- not for territory, but for the trade and military opportunities that would spring up. From aiding the Cubans, the U.S. gained territory in Puerto Rico (which was useful as a naval base), Guam, and the Philippines.

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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.

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One of the attackes that led Americans to their break point was the Lusitania, killing a total of 128 Americans and 1,200 people in May of 1915. Wilson tried to reason with Germany issuing two notes, the first warning the Germans to change their warfare tactics and second being more aggressive towards the subject. This did not stop Germany from continuing all attacks towards American vessels, even after Wilson broke all diplomatic relations with them but still this was not enough. At the end what brought the final decision to join the war was the relentless attacks towards American vessels and the discovery of the alliance of Mexico and Germany, promising them the recovery of there territories New Mexico, Arizona and Texas this binging fear upon all of the United States in loosing their

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American imperialism is economically, socially, and politically damaging to countries, as well as costly for America. Furthermore, it infringes upon national sovereignty and the right to self-governance. Historical cases have shown the detrimental repercussions America has repeatedly caused. The few cases of success should not undermine the calamitous effects American neo-imperialism has caused. The United States should cede its colonies and stop intervening in the affairs of other nations.

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Imperialism was not proper because it contradicted the policies and morals built around the United States. One of the main arguments against imperialism was that the U.S had no right to govern a nation without their consent. This theory was especially strong with religious people and religious political

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573 Words | 3 Pages

During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson made a case for United States intervention in the conflict and a U.S interest in maintaing a peacful world order. "I am now thinking of the loss of property involved, immense and serious as that is, but only of the wanton and wholeslae destruction of the lives of non-combatants, men,women, and children, engaged in pursuits which have always, even in the darkest periods of modern history, been deemed innocent and legitimate"(Document 24, page 71). The United States try to remain neutral , but German submarine attacked a ship headed to Europe with killed United States citizens. This is a legitimate reason for the United States to help

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463 Words | 2 Pages

Colonialism and Imperialism affected our world both positively and negatively. On one hand, Imperialism has often been linked with racial segregation, manipulation, and hardship. On the other, it has been said that many colonial powers contributed much in terms of schools, roads, railways, and much more. Whether this time period was constructive or harmful, it has played a large part in shaping our lives today. European Imperialism started long before the 1800’s.

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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.

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Reactions of oppression:violence and nonviolence Opression could be defined as an invasion of individual freedom . In the modern world, several countries are continuously restricting the freedom of their citizens .One form of oppression come in the form of imperialism. Imperialism was practiced from 1850 to 1914.The European imperialist viewed indigenous people as inferior to the “white man”. The racial views of the imperialist allowed the Europeans to travel and seize the native people of their traditions and form of government and colonize the land to strip them of their natural resources and civilize the native people.

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