American History II Honors - Imperialism and the Great War |
Roots of Imperialism,
Alaska, and Hawaii
Overview
During this juncture of American history, America was establishing itself as a world power -- competing with extractive, imperialistic nations in Europe and Asia, and thereby becoming one as well. Imperialism is a policy in which a stronger nation politically, militarily, and economically dominates a weaker territory. Below are some of the roots of United States imperialism:
- Economy - The United States needed to expand trade and establish lucrative overseas markets, especially across the Pacific Ocean, in order to combat the diminishing crop prices and profits resulting from a surplus of goods. United States entrepreneurs and farmers viewed Latin American and overseas territories as lucrative opportunities to expand their trade and investments.
- Military - Many imperialists believed that in order to protect its foreign interests, the United States had to expand and modernize its navy and obtain naval bases in such Latin American and overseas territories.
- Nationalism - As part of an emerging world power, Americans believed ardently that their nation, culture, and race were superior to those of other territories. Adhering to this "social Darwinistic" conviction, they justified imperialism by their belief that it was their destiny to rule over such inferior territories.
Key People, Events, and Objectives
|
Legislation
- In response to border disputed between the United States and Great Britain regarding British Guiana and Venezuela, the United States reiterated the Monroe Doctrine, which discouraged Great Britain from interfering with western territory.
- Harrison was an advocate for the annexation of Hawaii; however, he failed to get the Senate's approval before Cleveland, who was a critic of annexation, became President. McKinely, however, an advocate for annexation, signed the treaty of annexation and successfully got the Senate's approval. In 1898, the United States annexed the Hawaiian territory.
Impact/Significance
Then: Imperialism presented a myriad of economic, military, and social benefits to the United States. By expanding their markets to Latin American and overseas territories, United States entrepreneurs and farmers made lucrative profits. In addition, the United States expanded its influence to such nations and eventually purchased Alaska -- a natural resource-rich territory -- and Hawaii -- a sugarcane territory. The United States' practice of imperialism further expanded its global power; it was becoming a venerated nation.
Now: Today, Alaska and Hawaii provide ecotourism and natural resources, thus boosting the economy. And finally, the polemical debate regarding the annexation of Puerto Rican still divides many American and Puerto Rican citizens: Should the territory remain a territory, whose citizens have to pay federal taxes yet do not have equal federal programs, or should it become a territory, whose citizens do have such benefits.
Now: Today, Alaska and Hawaii provide ecotourism and natural resources, thus boosting the economy. And finally, the polemical debate regarding the annexation of Puerto Rican still divides many American and Puerto Rican citizens: Should the territory remain a territory, whose citizens have to pay federal taxes yet do not have equal federal programs, or should it become a territory, whose citizens do have such benefits.