Imperialism a policy

Imperialism is a bad and good affect on American history; the policy by a stronger nation to attempt to create an empire by dominating weaker nation economically, politically, culturally, or militarily.

WHO? In this case it is the United States in 1890-1915.

WHY? There are many points to why they wanted to expand.

1. A policy of extending a country’s power and through diplomacy or military force. It is in the ESPRAT+G related.

· Military expanses --- technology ---- fear ---- competitive ---- arms race

· Nationalism: cultural superiority

· Economic gains ---- competitiveness

· Excuses: Manifest Destiny ---- Socialism

· Humanitarianism ---- justification

2. It began to extend geographically and politically. It expanded the interests of it’s technology and sciences through out first the rural side of the country, then the other countries beside them.

3. The arguments that were made were to expand they’re countries knowledge and sciences to other countries through out the globe.

· Promoting economic American growth.

· --- More markets

· --- Resources

· --- Refueling

· Market protection

· --- Navy

· Manifest Destiny

The US was a young country that was just liberated from war. After they got their freedom from the British, Americans have experienced some hard time. After the civil war, they have experience a time of economic growth and utter confusion and inequality. Afterwards the Americans were hungry for expansion. They wanted to become a part of the first class nations equaling European nations like France and United Kingdom. They also wanted to move from second-class nation to first class nation.

Economic Factors: the growth of industry in Europe created an increased need for natural resources, which came from undeveloped areas of the world. Manufacturing nation also required new markets in which to sell their manufactured goods.

Nationalistic factors: Competition among European nations for large empires was a rise of nationalism:

1. National spirit or aspirations.

2. Devotion and loyalty to ones own nation; patriotism.

3. Excessive patriotism; chauvinism

4. The desire for national advancement or independence

5. The policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one’s own nation, viewed as separate from the interest of other nations or the common interests of a nation.

It usually suggested that a nation’s people believe themselves, their ideals, and their goals of being superior to the other nations.

Military factors: Advances in military technology produced European armies and navies that were far superior to those in Africa and Asia. Europe’s growing navies required bases for taking on fuel and supplies.

Humanitarian factors: Humanitarian and religious goals spurred on imperialists. Colonial officials, doctors, and missionaries believed they had a duty to spread the blessing of Western civilization, including its law, medicine, and Christian religion.

To show the US at this time a timeline would be needed.

1890: Alfred T. Mahan’s urges the United states to build a powerful navy to protect markets abroad.

1893: American business groups, with the help of US Marines, overthrow Hawaii’s queen and set up a provisional government.

1895: Cuba rebels against Spanish rules.

1898: The U.S.S. Marine exploded of the coast of Havana, Cuba, killing more than 250 US sailors. Outraged Americans convinced congress to declare war on Spain.

1900: The Boxer Rebellion erupts in China.

1903: Panama gives the United States control over the Panama Canal.

1904: President Roosevelt issues the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Big Stick Diplomacy, a nickname coined by Roosevelt in quoting the old African proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far,” was the foreign policy that was later called the Roosevelt Corollary. It is an addition to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the United States had the right to enforce an “international police power” over the Western Hemisphere. It affirmed that other countries did not have the authority to cause unrest in the Western Hemisphere, most specifically in reference to conflicts between Europe and Latin America in the early 1900’s.

Eventually, the phrase “Big Stick” was used in reference to any foreign policy that made negotiations with diplomatic grace, backed by the possible threat of military force.

1905: Japan defeats Russia in the Russo-Japanese War.

1907: The Great White Fleet tours the world as a display of the impressive naval power of the US.

1908: Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1912: The first Balkan War begins.

1914: President Wilson sends troops to Mexico to assist Mexican revolutionaries.

1914: WORLD WAR 1 BEGINS.

POWERPOINT: highschool.lebanon.k12.or.us/.../ US%20Becoming%20a%20World%20Power%201890-1915.ppt

Imperialism had its own good and bad sides. It helped Americans expand their whole nation around the world, but it also brought negative sides as when nations were took over. In my point of view I am on neither sides because I think that imperialism could be good or bad, and all depends on whom.