Discussion Topic
What motivated the U.S. to become an imperial power in the late-nineteenth century? In this discussion, we'll analyze some of the different reasons behind America's actions overseas.
Consider the following motives for U.S. economic and geographic imperialism:
- Desire to compete with European powers
- National security (expanding the military)
- Gaining new markets for U.S. exports
- Racism/paternalism
- Desire to improve the political and economic conditions of people throughout the world
- Spreading religion
Keeping these motives in mind, post at least two responses to one or more of the questions below or to another student's comments. Use specific examples to support your answers.
- Are there any other motives you'd add to this list?
- Which motives seem most and least justifiable? Why?
- How did U.S. imperialism compare with the imperialism of European nations?
- Do any of these ideas still drive U.S. foreign policy today?
Required Reading
Before you enter the discussion, be sure to read the related pages in your textbook. If you're using Tindall and Shi, see:
| 8th Edition | 7th Edition | 6th Edition | 5th Edition |
| Chapter 23, pages 905-911, 919-937 | Chapter 23, pages 859-865, 872-888 | Chapter 23, pages 933-939, 947-965 | Chapter 23, pages 1035-42, 1052-70 |
Scoring
This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.
In order to get full credit on this and all future posts make sure you follow the rubric assigned to the 1st post of this marking period
ReplyDeleteAlso, you should always make connections to how these time period. FOr example, this time period set up our entry into WWII. How? we annexed hawaii and several other lands in the pacific which contributed to japan to become an imperialist power. They bombed pearl harbor causing our entry into WWII. This is the simplistic version of this situation but makes my point nonetheless
ReplyDeleteSO many conenctions to today.
ReplyDeleteOriginal:
ReplyDeleteCoomparing U.S. imperialism to the European nations' imperialism is like comparing apples and oranges. While both are fruits, they are two totally different entitites. The same could be applied when comparing U.S. imperialism to imperialism of other nations in Europe. European imperialism occurred because one nation wanted to create a vast empire for itself and utilize the resources other countries could provide for the main nation. Great Britain comes to mind with its colonies in India, Austrailia, China, and Africa. However, United States wasn't really interested in imperialism due to the isolationist period that gripped the nation after the Civil War and during Reconstruction. The only reason the United States became an imperialistic power was because of another nation's imperialistic desires. Spain had colonized Cuba for many years and the Cubans wanted to be free from the Spaniards. Due to the economic interests in Cuba, the United States was eventually pulled into the Spanish-American War which led to revolution of Cuba and the United States' aquisition of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. Thus, United States became involved with imperialism.
Original:
ReplyDeleteGranted, there probably are other motives that are behind the United States imperialism. One particular motive seems the most justifiable is the one that would expose U.S. exports to new markets. Helping the economy rebound from the Civil War and its involvement in the Spanish-American war probably required the entrance of the United States into the global market. While this motive seems the most justifiable for U.S. imperialism, exploiting the resources of other nations to benefit one's own nation seems wrong despite any motive attached behind it.
The US was on the rise on becoming an imperialistic nation with the acquisition of many new colonies. The use of the word colonies seems similar to that of Europe as Jasbir previously mentioned but the US had ulterior motives as stated in the question to become an imperialistic nation. I believe the sense of expansion began with the belief of manifest destiny, though the US expanded on its own land at that time it was not their land and they pushed Native American peoples westward to explore and grow. This occurred in many countries. The US expanded to have growth in tourism and export where people are known to be attracted to such as Hawaii and the Virgin Islands.
ReplyDeleteI believe the only justifiable cause of imperialism is the expansion to help countries grow and expand to be thriving economically and socially. Any other reason such as control and power is in my point of view ridiculous and unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that I feel is justifiable is the desire to improve the economic and political conditions for other people. This is a reason that can help everybody and not make the US look like just a brute force. The least justifiable is spreading religion for I feel you should have a right to make your own choice on what religion u follow.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the idea of spreading better economic and political conditions is something that drives the US foreign policy. We also send foreign aid to many countries all the time and have tried to spread democracy in such places as Iraq.
ReplyDeleteThe strongest driving force behind America's rise as an imperialist nation, in the last 19th century, is economics. Such explains America's aggressive expansion in political, military, and economical control in this time frame. America saw many investment opportunities, which spread over it's boarders when it came to investing. Specifically in the Pacific and along the Panama Canal, America invested in cheap labor within countries that were rich with raw goods, allowing America goods to be produced at a lower cost.
ReplyDeleteNationalism can also be seen as a push towards America's rise as an imperialist power during this time. As citizens became more proud of the country and its standing the idea that America was up to par with European countries began to spread. Suddenly, with increasing military technology and production, America reached a level which it was comfortable competing with foreign, specifically European powers. With this America became more protective of its islands, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and midway island.
Religious motivations further pushed America's rise to imperialism as missionaries sought to spread the word of their religious, essentially teaching and spreading the idea that what we do is better than whatever else is out there.
In order for Imperialism to succeed there has to be an underlying support, printed media brought about the support that America needed. Yellow Journalism pushed America even further.
Original:
ReplyDeleteThere were a variety of motives that initiated the United States desire to become an imperial power in the late nineteenth century. Most American values and strength came from the frontier experience, however, in 1890, the American Frontier was declared “closed.” With no more frontiers, there would be a fading democracy, a diminishing equality, and a weakened individualism. The United States needed to find new frontiers, thus imperialism. Also with new frontiers, the United States would gain new markets for their items as well as gain recognition in foreign markets. Racism also prompted the United States to become an imperial power in the late nineteenth century. The United States believed that the races of the world re primitive and unfit to self-rule, therefore the imperial powers should rule them. The United States also believed that the primitive societies are “wasting” the natural resources, making imperial powers obligated to take them.
Nationalism, where America rose because of its new found esteem to compete with the powers of the world, as well as economic expansion are both justifiable reasons for America's imperialism. However the idea behind religious expansion where what "we do it the right thing to do," was being taught isn't the most justifiable reason for America's rapid jump into imperialism.
ReplyDeleteI believe that gaining new markets for U.S. exports and the desire to improve the political and economic conditions of people throughout the world. The United States has invaded numerous countries, such as Korea, Vietnam, Iraq etc. in hopes of helping both the political and economic conditions of people of these countries. Although one of the main reasons for imitating imperialism a variety of countries was based on moral motives, I do not believe that the invasions was justified. In most cases America’s motives were not pure, some based on greed and the security of the United States no matter the cost.
ReplyDeleteMost Imperial powers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were concerned with economic advantages. The US, under the guise of freeing native populations from cruel Spanish rule, precipitated the Spanish-American War of 1898. This gave the US the Philippine Islands and other territories. The gained economic power in Asia was a huge consideration. Theodore Roosevelt even supported the Panamanian break from Columbia to create the Panama Canal Zone. I think that the American ideology of manifest destiny was manifested in the American pursuit of economic interest and power.
ReplyDeleteAmerican foreign policy is definitely associated with military expansion. Territories serve as military bases because they are satellites that that hover an increased sense of security by surrounding the nation.
ReplyDeleteAmerica's expansion as an "imperialist" nation was mostly based on a desire to compete, as well as growing concerns about the growing power of other nations. America truly believed and believe that we are a force for good in the world. When we saw other nations expanding and growing, for example Spain had a grip on South America, Britain had its own empire and had stakes in every continent. France was second, with its holdings in Southeast Asia and in North Africa. Portugal, Spain and Holland retained some colonies because they had been
ReplyDeletethe earliest colonial powers, and still retained some of them in the 19th century. Germany and Italy were late arrivals on the colonial scene, like America, because of their instability as nations. America was now at the level of these countries, if not more powerful then them. We felt we needed to keep expanding to compete with these countries, and we did this by spreading our influnece throughout the world. There were other reasons but the main two were to expand our economy and wealth, as well as to compete with and prove ourselves to the European powers.
America's foreign policy was definetely affected by the plight of other people's and our desire to spread democracy and improve the world condition. This is reflected through Roosevelt's actions in South America, as well as his policy "speak softly but carry a big stick." Roosevelt wanted European nations out of South America, not because he wanted to rule them, but because he felt threatened by Europeans in our backyard and he wanted our neighbors to be free. Today the same goes for American foreign policy. Throughout the Cold War we defended those who could not defend themselves aginst communism. From Kennedy to Reagan. President Bush's administration gave the most aid to Africa then any other administration or country ever. We freed Iraq from Saddam Hussein, President Obama is supporting the overthrowing of dictators now in the Middle East. America has always helped the social, political, and economic standings of people throughout the world, as we did then and as we do today.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the United States imperialism during this time was to gain new markets along with spreading democracy around the world. For example, the United States gained the panama canal by helping the country of panama rebel against the Colombian government to become its own government, in doing so the united states was able to gain the panama canal and become more imperialistic. not only did the united states spread democracy and the creation of a government to panama, but also gained new trade ports in other countries to expand their economic growth. another example of the united states imperialistic actions were the gaining of alaska, the gaining of this new territory was to use their resources to product yet again the same goal as used in the panama canal, economic growth and trade. in todays world, the united states has become more imperialistic, we aid other countries and still do have open trading ports in various countries around the world along with still spreading democracy to other nations.
ReplyDeleteto xander: i do agree that america still is imperialistic in nature. during theodore roosevelts presidency he wanted to also secure united states as a nation that could be capable of power such as european nations. although i did not reach that analysis in my posting, i was able to understand more through your posting.
ReplyDeleteThe motive that seems the most justifiable is gaining new markets for U.S. export. By creating new ports in different areas you allow yourself to gain access to different items that you may need. This also allows you to put your items on different markets and can bring a country more revenue. By gaining new markets you can also create new trade agreements and policies between more nations that could help benefit you as a country.
ReplyDeleteAn ideal that still drives U.S. foreign policy today is national security. As a nation we have always been concerned with keeping the nation safe. One example of this is the Cold War. We did not want communism to spread to our country as well as other countries so we had to contain it. Events like 9/11 has forced us to once again focus our attention to national security.
ReplyDelete