Title: Imperialist Considerations in American Foreign Policy, 1898-1908: A Transformative Era
Between 1898 and 1908, the United States experienced a momentous shift in its foreign policy, transitioning from a historically isolationist nation to a global power with imperial ambitions. This transformation was driven by a convergence of domestic and international factors, fueling the nation's desire to expand its influence beyond its borders. Amidst this dynamic environment, imperialist considerations played a pivotal role in shaping American foreign policy decisions. The acquisition of overseas territories and colonies, the pursuit of economic interests, and the desire to spread American values all illustrate the extent to which imperialism
…show more content…
As the nation experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, there was an increasing demand for new markets and resources to fuel the burgeoning industries. This economic expansion coincided with a prevailing sense of national pride and exceptionalism, as many Americans believed in the divine mission of "Manifest Destiny." The outcome of the Spanish-American War in 1898 further bolstered the nation's confidence in its military capabilities and sparked debates about its role on the global stage. These domestic and international developments laid the groundwork for a transformative era in American foreign policy, as the nation shifted from its traditional isolationist stance to a more assertive global player.
Document 3, the Treaty of Paris (1898), serves as a pivotal example of American imperialism during this period. It formalized the transfer of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain to the United States after the Spanish-American War. The acquisition of these overseas territories provided the U.S. with new spheres of influence and extended its reach beyond its borders, solidifying its role as a major player on the global stage. However, this expansion also raised questions about the ethical implications of acquiring foreign lands and governing distant
…show more content…
White, reveals the U.S. government's Open Door Policy (1899) in China. This policy sought to secure equal trade opportunities for all nations in China, safeguarding American commercial interests in the region. It demonstrated how economic interests played a significant role in guiding American foreign policy decisions. The desire to expand economic influence in the Far East prompted the U.S. to advocate for access to China's markets without exclusive privileges for colonial powers. However, this policy also confronted the challenges of navigating international diplomacy and competing interests among various powers seeking to advance their own economic
After the War of 1812, neo-colonialism started to decline within the United States and a whole new approach to foreign and domestic policy began with the ushering in of a new political culture. With the war over and European interests shifted from the Americas to Africa and Asia it left the United States with the ability to focus on internal affairs such as building the economy, reform, and expansion within the continent. (Nash, et al., 2007. , p. 270) The War of 1812 also had the effect of strengthening American nationalism and when Spain seemed to renew its interest in rebuilding it’s American empire with the help of other European powers the Monroe Doctrine was born.
A( United States Foreign Policy - 1898 to 1901 United States Foreign Policy started off small, the government remaining fairly neutral due to isolation. The only issues sprang out from trade, such as the Embargo Act and the Non-Intercourse Act. United States Foreign Policy really began to change once 1898 rolled around. The year 1898 brought transformation to the policy through war and preparations for war. 1898 brought America to the war with Spain, which was the United States's first engagement with a foreign enermy with the arrival of modern warfare.
American foreign policy during the years 1845-1900 was Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny describes what most of the Americans believed in the 19th Century that, it was America’s responsibility to expand westward, and occupy the whole continental nation including Mexico and Canada. This foreign policy turned into American Imperialism, and how America acquired Hawaii, Alaska and led to Cuban Revolution 1953-1959. Manifest Destiny was first used by John O’Sullivan; he supported expansionist agenda of President James K. Polk from 1845-1849. President James K. Polk wanted to expand America westward, “He wanted to officially claim the southern part of Oregon Territory; annex the whole of the American Southwest from Mexico; and annex Texas” (Jones 1).
Toward the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the United States was becoming an increasingly powerful nation and world power. The country was competing with other nations also expanding. Their motives for expanding were to gain land and resources. While there was a slight departure from past expansionism, the United States mostly continued as it had been in the previous years. In order to accomplish expansionism, the United States needed to acquire foreign territories to increase their global presence.
In the late 1800's, Americans were motivated to increase relationships with other countries. However, United States run into world affairs, and had to spread foreign policies in order to explain its interactions with parts of the world. There are three foreign policies that were created by presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. These policies conveys the roles of the United States in other nations.
Topic: Encountering New Spain: Manifest Destiny & the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Mexican-American War was the first American military that fought on soil and the first to be closely chronicled by the press; the time the war ended with American victory and a treaty that increased the nation’s size. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo brought peace and an official end of a defective war between Mexico and the United States after Congressional ratification. Mexico surrendered California, New Mexico, and Texas for the Rio Grande River for over 15 million dollars also as more than half of prior to the war Mexican land had lost.
There was cultural, domestic, and overseas expansion such as foreign trade and competition for foreign land. The United States was trying to make sure the British didn’t conquer parts of Latin America, so they secured it. The country was expanding overseas, “Not until 1903, after a war that took the lives of more than 4,000 American soldiers and 100,000 Filipinos, was American control of the Philippines secured” (68). The country believed if the had control over the water they had control over the world. While the United States was on its way to become a world power, there was the domestic issue of Jim Crow laws.
US military intervention in the war played an important role in tipping the balance of power in Europe, providing a great support to Allied powers to win the war. US involvement demonstrated the country's ability to act as a global power and the essential role of political power The impact of the war was also felt at the domestic level, leading to a rapid change in American ideology. The country's isolationist stance was called into question, giving rise to a new spirit of nationalism and expansionism. The country's citizens became more interested in international affairs, leading to more open leadership and the country's involvement in international affairs.
During the late 1800s, the U.S. stance on foreign policy changed dramatically from an isolationist viewpoint to an involved world power. This was influenced by many factors, including the desires to spread cultural values or religion, 'help' countries that were deemed 'not fit to rule themselves', keep up with other major world powers, and trade globally to forward the economy. Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson held terms instrumental in the development of foreign policy. During George Washington's term as president, foreign policy was a new concern, as the U.S. had just gained independence from Britain and was focused on remaining independent, so for many years, the U.S. kept an isolationist viewpoint regarding foreign
During the 20th Century the United States was going through big changes. Imperialism was a big thing going on during this time. The US was imperialistic because it was constantly annexing new states and discovering new territories. After the Spanish-American war, the US acquired a few new territories, one of which being the Philippines. The annexation of the Philippines was a big debate in the USA during 1898.
At the end of the Spanish-American War, in 1898, The United States of America acquired many new territories and protectorates, making it a global colonial power. America was able to achieve Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico as protectorates as an outcome of the Spanish-American War. Other nations were also occupied by America. America was able to do this through imperialism; when a nation expands its influence and power through economic, military, and diplomatic means.
The Monroe Doctrine was a speech given in 1823 by James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States, to the U.S. Congress concerning European presence in the Western Hemisphere. Monroe was becoming continuously concerned about European influence in the region. While the primary audience for this message was Congress, the intended audience was all European powers, including Russia, and Latin America. The events in Latin America before and after the Spanish-American War will be used as an example of the imperial reach by the U.S. The United States, ironically, became an imperial power through its mission outlined in the Monroe Doctrine to end European colonialism and imperialism.
The reasons did United States foreign policy change between 1920 and 1941 was mainly because of World War II. In the 1920’s, historians have considered the United States to be an isolationist country. Presidential candidate Warren G. Harding said that he opposed the League because it does not correspond with our constitution, even saying it would be a “deadly blow at our constitutional integrity”
Before the 20th century the United States was an isolationist nation but around the late 19th century America decided to convert into an imperialist power. They had numerous reasons to shift into being an imperialist nation. America didn’t want to begin imperializing to settle and live in the nations they were taking over, they already had America for that reason, they wanted to adopt these nations for what they had to offer, which was many things. America saw an opportunity to improving their nation and took it. Even if there were many causes for America to imperialize, three of them stood out the most.
And lastly the desire for a new frontier to settle in order to maintain America’s identity and prosperity. All three of the examples: economically, politically/military, and culturally can simply explain why and how America became an imperialist nation in the late