American Imperialism In The Late 19th Century

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the United States issued an aggressive policy of expansionism. This policy was meant to extend its political and economic influence around the globe. Before the new imperialism began, the old imperialism had begun. This meant that the European nations were trying to find a direct trade route to Asia during this age. However, they gained new land and established colonies in the Americas, India, South Africa, and the East Indies. They also gained territory along the coasts of Africa and China. The first half of the nineteenth century, colonialism was less popular. During the Napoleonic Wars, people strived for nationalism and democracy along with the cost of industrialization. In the new imperialism,
This was done so they can sell products that they couldn’t not normally sell in the continent. Businessmen and bankers had excess capital to invest, and foreign investments offered the incentive of greater profits. The need for cheap labor and a steady supply of raw materials, such as oil, rubber, and manganese for steel, required that the industrial nations maintain firm control over these unexplored areas. By directly controlling these regions, meant setting up colonies under their direct control. Only by doing this could the industrial economy work effectively or so the imperialists thought. The economic gains of the new imperialism were limited because the new colonies were too poor to spend money on European goods. Leading European nations felt that colonies were crucial to military power, national security, and nationalism. Military leaders claimed that a strong navy was necessary in order to become a great power. Therefore, naval vessels needed military bases around the world to take on coal and supplies. Islands or harbors were seized in order to satisfy these needs. Colonies guaranteed the growing European navies safe harbors and coaling stations, which they needed in time of