Imperialism is the policy of extending the rule of authority of an empire or nation to a foreign country. When imperialism reached the U. S they became very influential and had great power.
The reasons and arguments given for imperialism were numerous. Some people wanted to expand because they thought it was their destiny and duty to spread the superior American culture. These people usually had a big sense of nationalism. Others were driven by competition with European nations. Various seeked military bases in strategic areas and wanted refueling bases all over the world in case of war. And a few were missionaries and wanted to spread Christian beliefs. Economically some people wanted access to new markets such as China and they had an overproduction of goods and needed places to sell them and finally they believed America needed resources such as petroleum and rubber. All in all people truly believed imperialism would not only benefit them but other nations as well.
An example of US imperialism is its interference with Cuba. The Spaniards had to deal with the rebellion of Cuban people. The Cubans asked for the US help which after a lot of pressure McKinley (the current president) granted. This started the Spanish-American War. It ended when the Americans sunk all the Spanish ship. And the Treaty of Paris was signed which listed Cuba as an independent country and stated that Spain gives up Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the US for $20 million.
Some people were against imperialism and their arguments were as numerous as those who encouraged it. One argument stated that the countries that were in control of the US did not have the same rights as US citizens which were anticonstitutional. Another thing criticized was the manner from which expansion took place. They sent huge armies and used force to take over a country. People were scared these methods would be used within the country. Furthermore, racism grew because all these new ethnic groups moved to America and this started prejudice. Also some stipulated it was very expensive to annex a country and therefore America should stop.
All in all the positives did outweigh the negatives. Even though the arguments for imperialism were egoistical and selfish the outcome aided many countries such as Cuba who were suffering under the Spanish rule. However the manner in which imperialism occurred took many lives and was catastrophic the outcome saved many lives and helped many countries.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Pk-5SjcPc3Em0dt8zO1jnjMT5lCruwiNt9z1KRfd7jqeasEHTgMv9KVUstcGCiyBIrtKtxORNmFMoyCJpJ79H0dEFfl0Aix7M7u6vfEGExr4JHO9V-HGF7lcHZCMr3jhd5wZrDiStGR-/s320/america.gif
The reasons and arguments given for imperialism were numerous. Some people wanted to expand because they thought it was their destiny and duty to spread the superior American culture. These people usually had a big sense of nationalism. Others were driven by competition with European nations. Various seeked military bases in strategic areas and wanted refueling bases all over the world in case of war. And a few were missionaries and wanted to spread Christian beliefs. Economically some people wanted access to new markets such as China and they had an overproduction of goods and needed places to sell them and finally they believed America needed resources such as petroleum and rubber. All in all people truly believed imperialism would not only benefit them but other nations as well.
An example of US imperialism is its interference with Cuba. The Spaniards had to deal with the rebellion of Cuban people. The Cubans asked for the US help which after a lot of pressure McKinley (the current president) granted. This started the Spanish-American War. It ended when the Americans sunk all the Spanish ship. And the Treaty of Paris was signed which listed Cuba as an independent country and stated that Spain gives up Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the US for $20 million.
Some people were against imperialism and their arguments were as numerous as those who encouraged it. One argument stated that the countries that were in control of the US did not have the same rights as US citizens which were anticonstitutional. Another thing criticized was the manner from which expansion took place. They sent huge armies and used force to take over a country. People were scared these methods would be used within the country. Furthermore, racism grew because all these new ethnic groups moved to America and this started prejudice. Also some stipulated it was very expensive to annex a country and therefore America should stop.
All in all the positives did outweigh the negatives. Even though the arguments for imperialism were egoistical and selfish the outcome aided many countries such as Cuba who were suffering under the Spanish rule. However the manner in which imperialism occurred took many lives and was catastrophic the outcome saved many lives and helped many countries.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Pk-5SjcPc3Em0dt8zO1jnjMT5lCruwiNt9z1KRfd7jqeasEHTgMv9KVUstcGCiyBIrtKtxORNmFMoyCJpJ79H0dEFfl0Aix7M7u6vfEGExr4JHO9V-HGF7lcHZCMr3jhd5wZrDiStGR-/s320/america.gif
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