Chris Hegman Dr.

Tremayne History 102 19 March 2009 Americas Move to Imperialism The concept of imperialism, the policy of extending a nations authority in order to benefit ones country, is one that is deeply engraved in Americas history. As the first explorations to America gave sight of economic benefit, nations from around Europe began to practice imperialism as they made their way into the new world. Although America was founded due to the practice of colonization, during the early years of the union, imperialism was regarded as a destructive process that disregarded the institutions set up within the constitution. The United States would however begin to change its views during the late nineteenth century due to industrialization, American Idealism, and the fear of active colonization by other countries. These ideals led to the disregard of previous beliefs and the rapid colonization and expansion of American borders and influence. The act of colonization during this period would be carried out by several great leaders and would have a profound impact on the countries involved, as well as the political landscape of the United States. Despite some of the positive effects of American Imperialism toward the territories involved, imperialism also played a part in stifling their individuality and autonomy as a people group. As the United States began to mature as a nation, it began to look outwards for economic growth. During the mid-nineteen hundreds, the United States entered an age of industrial growth that would eventually lead to the exporting of mass quantities of goods. As industry grew in the

U.S., large corporation such as Standard Oil and the private turned national company, U.S. Steel began to lead American in the exertion of influence abroad. It was these large corporations, along with their profit seeking owners, which would begin to popularize the idea of mass trading. Political figures also played a role in persuading the American people to accept the idea of large scale exporting, promising vast economic benefits by selling overproduced goods to other countries. Politicians would also use fear as a means of persuasion, warning that overproduced goods would lead to a saturated market, causing job loss and depression. As the United States began to deal more heavily in the business of international trade during the late nineteenth century, it would begin to rise in economic importance, becoming the worlds largest industrial power by 1913. As America continued to seek after new trading opportunities with countries abroad, the idea of imperialism began to present itself. With many markets being dependent upon ocean shipping, America began to search for international ports to make trade easier. With this large influx of growth and the completion of several engineering marvels, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Americans began to develop a sense of pride which would manifest itself as Social Darwinism. The second reason for the United States turning towards imperialism was the belief in Social Darwinism. Due to the growing power of the U.S., many of its citizens began to believe in American Supremacy. This belief led to the mistreatment of foreigners who came to the United States, during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The belief in American Supremacy would also be strengthened as magazines, newspapers, and other forms of propaganda began to publish articles about countries of American interest. These articles would often portray the cultures within these societies as uncivilized and would often times prey upon cultural differences that were considered to be barbaric in the eyes of Americans. As example,

the Philippines, which would eventually catch the eyes of American politicians, would be portrayed within articles as a nation where its freakish people ate dogs. The belief in Social Darwinism would lead to an Imperialistic mind set, giving Americans a sense of selfencouragement that the annexation of countries by the U.S. would benefit both parties by bringing a sense of civility to new territories. As Americans began to except the ideas of Social Darwinism, they began to question other countries claims to colonies within Americas sphere of influence. The third reason for the United States movement towards imperialism, was the fear that other countries would move towards colonization. As other countries began to practice active imperialism throughout the world, the U.S. began to question its role as the defender of democracy and its influence among the worlds nations. The first argument that presented itself was the American sense of pride, which dictated the belief that it was the United States duty to share its democratic system with the world. This belief would lead America to seek after imperialism, in order to secure the ability to spread what they believed to be a prosperity. A prosperity that no other nation could offer. The second argument encompassed both economic prosperity and civil liberty. As countries such as Spain, Japan, and Germany began to spread their influence on countries throughout the world, the U.S. became increasingly hesitant that if they did not resort to imperialism, other countries would. The United States feared that the growing imperialistic mindsets of other nations would damage vital trade agreements and would hinder the exportation of goods. Besides greater economic stress, the United States also feared that if they did not take action and annex vital trade partners, that competing countries would gain a strategic advantage in the form of naval ports. As America began to gain a greater identity within the world market, it began to seek after colonization as its primary means of

fullfiling both its economic and idealistic goals, as well as a means of assuring its place within the world market. Through its new found imperialistic goals, the United States would begin to annex several different territories throughout the late nineteen hundreds and through the early twentieth century. Through these actions, America would be portrayed as an imperialistic nation. As America gained reason to start practicing imperialism, the act itself would be performed by several people referred to as the foreign policy elite. These elite would be composed of a diverse people group including: businessmen, politicians, professors, farmers and religious leaders. The foreign policy elite included those whose opinion counted towards change and would eventually included the two presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. The foreign policy elite would meet often to discuss their plans for colonization, the building of a canal through Central America, and expanding naval forces. Through the active pursuit of expansion, the United States would begin to realize these goals. As the United States began to pursue colonization, they looked at several factors that would determine their pursuit of a territory. Many times colonization was pursued for economic purposes, but other reasons for it included: strategic benefit and American Idealism. It was for these reasons that the United States pursued the territories of Hawaii, Cuba, and the Philippines. American Imperialist would gain their first chance at foreign expansion as the dawn of the depression brought about economic crisis. This economic crisis allowed Imperialist to argue the relationship between expansion and prosperity. They argued that America had seen its greatest moments of prosperity during times of expansion. Due to these arguments, the United States turned its eyes toward Hawaii, which had long been looked at as a chance for economic

expansion and strategic positioning. Hawaii would allow the U.S. an opportunity to enter sugar business, as well as provide port for naval expansion and trade. America first began its takeover of Hawaii through insurgent groups on the island. The offspring of former missionaries, the American lawyers, businessmen, and planters within the Hawaiian Islands began to form secret groups whose mission would be to dethrone the native monarchy. As time brought success to the American people on the islands, they would force the Hawaiian king to turn over the decision making authority to the American legislator. The newly gained control would allow the United States government to arrest the queen and annex Hawaii. This annexation, however, would be dispelled as Grover Cleveland came into office and would again be initialized as the SpanishAmerican War brought new interest. Although Hawaii would initially gain back its political power before becoming a state through the Organic act of 1900, the first annexation of Hawaii demonstrated the United States move towards a complete imperialistic mindset. The next stage of American imperialism would be advanced due to the Spanish-American War. The invasion of Cuba by Spain would bring about new Imperialistic goals as the aspects of American Idealism and economic stress brought the U.S. to Cubas aid. The United States looked at Spains invasion of Cuba as a competing force in the race for colonization, and viewed them as a threat to Americans vast investment in Cuban sugar. Many Americans also argued that Cuba reminded them of the United States when it first began, and that they deserved a chance to organize a complete democracy. As Spain gained word about Americas intension to interfere in its control of Cuba, they declared war on the United States. The United States soon followed declaring war on Spain and began to aid the Cubans in their revolt. As America entered the war it declared Cuba a free country and aided in the removal of its Spanish rulers. As the Spanish fled Cuba; the United States passed the Teller Amendment which declared that the

U.S. would only annex Cuba to suppress hostile forces, thereby protecting American investments in Cuba. Despite Americans initial intent to enact an indirect form of Imperialism, McKinley ordered that Cuba should be annexed immediately, in order to be taught how to govern under the American hand. The war with Spain would not only lead to the annexation of Cuba, but it would also lead to the annexation of the Philippines. As the United States fought for the liberty of Cuba during the Spanish-American War, its imperialistic views also lead the U.S. to fight a different battle within the Philippines. Despite the fact that the United States fought for the liberty of Cuba, it chose to fight against the Philippine people preventing them from obtaining liberty. At the beginning of the war against Spain, a naval battle was fought in Manila Bay, leaving the Spanish defeated and the Philippine islands without a foreign governing body. American leaders, because of the Spanish defeat, were now given the right to decide what would befall the Philippine islands. American leaders argued that they could not let the Filipinos govern themselves because they would either fall once again under Spanish rule or some other foreign competing country. Due to McKinleys strong imperialistic opinion, congress as well as the country, became divided into two separate factions, imperialists and anti-imperialists. The anti-imperialists, composed of mostly democrats, argued that annexing the Philippines would lead America to destroy itself and that it would go against constitutional principles. The imperialists on the other hand argued that it was Americas duty to civilize the people of the Philippines and that the islands were no different than the West had been earlier. Although the imperialistic views would eventually prevail and McKinley would call for the annexation of the Philippines, the American forces would be met with what they believed could not be accomplished by the Filipinos, a growing organized government. Although the Filipinos had not established a fully functional government, the

Filipino general, Aguinaldo had dreamed of establishing one. Despite Aguinaldos passion of establishing liberated Philippine government, the United States continued to pursue the goal of annexation. Although the United States believed that they could settle the insurgents and gain control of the land, the Filipinos continued to rebel acting upon their desire for independence. Americas annexation of the Philippines proved that America had become an Imperialist power, as they struck down the Filipinos independence. Although colonization provided the main goal of Imperialists, they also sought after a passage way through Central America and a Larger U.S. navy. At the center of the American Imperialist movement was the support of many presidential powers. Among these included two of the greatest, McKinley and Roosevelt. As McKinley provided support in colonizing several new territories, Roosevelt helped America accomplish its imperialistic goals by completing two other tasks, the building of the Panama Canal and the introduction of a large American Naval force. Upon the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, the imperialist would reach their goal of a passage through Central America. The passage would allow the U.S. government to dominate much of the Atlantic trade, providing it a high seat in foreign policy. Along with the completion of the canal, Roosevelt would also be responsible for expanding the U.S. navy; increasing its power from fifth to second in the world. With the expansion of the navy, Roosevelt extended Americas hand throughout the world. The United States would begin its journey towards imperialism as the growth of industry would lead to outward visions and a taste of foreign influence. As America continued to deal in foreign affairs, it would gain a sense of pride as it rose in influence among world powers. Dealing with foreign affairs would also bring about the idea of Social Darwinism, drawing America closer to the idea of imperialism. As America began to experience pressures both

internally and externally, in the form of the depression and war, it would begin to argue for imperialism as a means of release. Political leaders would argue that imperialism would benefit America both economically and politically; economically giving America control of foreign trade routes and politically giving right to naval ports. Imperialist would also argue that it was Americas duty to civilize foreign nations. As arguments for annexations of several territories would spread through the country anti-imperialists and imperialist would make their arguments, but in the end presidential backing would allow the imperialist power to complete their goals. During Americas imperialistic period, the country would experience much debate about whether or not to pursue imperialism. Although there were many who disagreed with the idea of imperialism, the nations majority rule towards it would begin to define the United States as an imperialistic power. For a time, America would choose to drop its constitutional belief, including the idea of liberty for all, in order to secure for itself a prosperous place in the world economy.