American Expansion 19th Century

Bryan Stansbury
History 2002
Dr, Roger Carpenter Expansion in the U.S. in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century has many thing in common with previous American expansionist ideals and had some different things. Many of the worlds leading powers were all expanding and many citizens was convinced if they didn?t jump on this land rush, than they would miss out. There were three reasons why America was interested in expansion. The first reason was economic.
During the civil war the U.S. had greatly increased its production of manufactured products. Which created a want for more new markets and the need for more raw materials. The second reason military strength. Some believed that if the U.S. didn?t have a powerful army than it would
He had a letter from president Fillmore asking the Japanese to open up ports for our steamships to refuel. Along with presidents letter Perry had written his on letter that said many of the large ships of war destined to visit Japan have not yet arrived in these seas though they are hourly expected. He returned in February with eight heavily armed ships.The threat of force was enough to persuade the Japanese.
This was just how the expansionism ideal really got started. The second part of the nineteenth century found Spain holding on to their empire. Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and the Philippines and Guam in the Pacific. In the U.S. the Expansionist idea was at fever pitch with U.S. investments in sugar and mining industries are steadily rising. In 1870 a young Cuban named Jose Marti had his first success as a rebel he made a patriotic poem against the Spanish rule. The poem made the Spanish government so mad that they put him in jail for 4 months and sent him into
arrived the Spanish had put a peace treaty together putting aside all hostilities. War was over in 4 months. John hay called it the splendid little war. The treaty of Paris was signed and gave the U.S. permission to occupy Cuba and have complete control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines.
As the 20th century came China was in turmoil corruption was wide spread rebellion drought and famine claimed the lives of 60,000,000 Chinese. With a coaling base in the Philippines not far from China, U.S. businesses hoped to take advantage of Chinas resources and sell to its huge market. Secretary John Hay wrote a letter to all foreign powers saying that they should have an open door policy in China. This policy would help U.S, businesses guarantee equal trading rights for all, preventing one nation from discriminating against another.
There were a lot of reason why the U.S. said they were expanding so much but all came down to one thing to gain power. America believed it was the strongest of nations and could as they pleased. Also so it could keep up with the rest of the worlds powers.

Citations:
Blad771. YouTube. May 21, 2010. Accessed February 09, 2017.