The Pursuit Of Imperialist Expansion - 1523 Words

The United States at the dawn of the 20th Century was beginning its ascent into worldwide prominence. This was unprecedented for what had once been termed as an â€Å"experiment in democracy† and came with unexplored opportunities for the nation. The West had all but been conquered, and the industrialization of the nation was in full swing, but what the country needed was a market for its surplus goods. With the prominence that had caused America to gain worldwide attention, the nation likewise followed suit with other worldly nations of the time and engaged in the pursuit of imperialist expansion. Regardless of whether it is in fact imperialism, or if it was the â€Å"American exceptionalism† that our country likened it to, the fact is that†¦show more content†¦With the rise of European imperialism, it opened The United States to newer prospects to spread our ideals. Nevertheless, our objectives stretched beyond the search for new foreign markets and other eco nomic reasons, and our expansion was instead focused primarily on the continuance of Manifest Destiny. Regardless of whether or not we actually accomplished the goals of freedom and democracy for all under our auspices, the motive for American Imperialism was still the same as it was in the days of Westward Expansion. That is why when our neighbor Cuba was struggling against Spanish aggression, it was The United States that heeded the call to arms and defended the Caribbean isle in true Monroe Doctrine fashion. Although the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor was the impetus the United States needed to enter open war with Spain, it would be nearsighted to say that this was America’s first attempt at â€Å"helping† our Cuban neighbors. The Ostend Manifesto is a prime example of an attempt at bringing Cuba into our fold. Southerners in the 1850’s would have been elated if Cuba were to join our ranks, for the island plantations would undoubtedly bolster the p ro-slavery cause. However, the 1890’s brought about different motives for the conflict with Spain, and they were more than just one Caribbean isle; in the end, America did not even end up annexing the entirety of Cuba (we did reserve the right to set up a government and leasedShow MoreRelatedThe Justification Of An Anti Imperialist Imperialism1393 Words   |  6 Pages The Justification of an Anti-Imperialist Imperialism appears to be a vital goal and factor in the U.S during the late 1800s. Americans yearn to gain more control and soon rise to become a world power, similar to the conduct of our forefathers. However, this philosophy is counter to the origins of our country. We believed in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, yet Americans were being hypocritical of this conviction. They took the action of colonizing other countries and tyrannizingRead MoreAmerican Imperialism the United States (U.S.)1562 Words   |  7 Pageswas rationalized. The major events that took place and which countries of the world the U.S. became involved due to this policy. Finally, we will see, not everyone supported foreign affairs by the U.S. and in 1899 they founded the American Anti-Imperialist League. I will discuss their view of Imperialism and discuss the outcome of the foreign policy going into the twentieth century. Imperialism is the â€Å"acquisition of control over the government and the economy of another nation, usually by victoryRead MoreThe Western Forecast Of The Post World War1408 Words   |  6 Pagesbitter fruit of the western imperialist. Leaving behind the European World War I battlefield, the western imperialist continues his march toward the East with exploitive weapons in both hands. 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Furthermore, as the slave trade procured a stigma in lat er years, the African nations were so vested in the trade that asRead MoreAn Icon of American Expansionism Essay1092 Words   |  5 Pagesthe United States engaged in acts of global expansion throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the arrival of the 20th century, the nation had reached an ideological crossroad. Following a series of foreign conflicts which left America as an active participant in global expansion and a growing world power, by the conclusion of the 19th century, the nation was forced to determine whether or not it would permanently adopt a national doctrine of expansion and Imperialism. In many ways, the femaleRead MoreCompare and Contrast Old and New Imperialism Essay1217 Words   |  5 Pagessecurity of the state. In particular, it demands a positive balance of trade. New Imperialism took place from 1750-1914 -colonial expansion adopted by Europe’s powers and later Japan and the United States -During the 19th and early 20th centuries expansion took place from the French conquest of Algeria until WW1 -This period is distinguished by an unprecedented pursuit of overseas territorial acquisitions -The Berlin Conference -organized by Bismark to provide for a more orderly conquest of Africa Read MoreThe Land Of Opportunity By James Loewen956 Words   |  4 Pagesaided in the elevation of the people as a whole – this struggle is necessary and must continue. The price of liberty is high, and in the pursuit of freedom from oppression the cost of war does not end when the last shot is fired. Today, children are taught about how the Colonists cast off the shackles of the Crown for the promise of â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness†. What these children may not be learning however, is the enormous cost of liberty, mostly to indigenous peoples and the labor