American Imperialism: in the Nineteenth Century
American Imperialism In The
Nineteenth Century
Vadis Fields
His 204
Professor Kevin Owens
February 27, 2010 Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Imperialism is the control of one or a number of countries by a dominant nation. The control may be political, economic or both. It indicates a degree of independence in the subordinate nation. This discussion will cover why the policy was adopted, how it was rationalized, some of the major events of this time, and what countries did the United States become involved with. Imperialism was promoted by monopolizing the external trade of the subordinate nation. The imperial power takes raw materials from the colony and sells its finished goods in return, discouraging the development of any manufacturing company that may compete with its own. The Anti-Imperialist League did not agree with the way the United States controlled the other nations. The American Anti-Imperialist League was founded in 1899, after the United States occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Island. The Anti Imperialist League was founded “in order to campaign against the annexation of the Philippines.” (Carl Schurz 1913) There were many policies that the League was trying to put in place. The league protested and stated that, “the policy known as imperialism is hostile to liberty and tends towards militarism.” (Carl Schurz 1913) They contended that all men are entitled to life, liberty, and happiness. They accused the government of being “disloyal to the principles of government and called it criminal aggression.” (Carl Schurz 1913) Another policy that the league attacked was “the policy of the present national administration in the Philippines that seeks to extinguish their spirit of 1776.” (Carl Schurz 1913) The league wanted the government to cease the war against liberty and grant the Philippines the independence that was rightfully theirs. We as Americans were
Nineteenth Century
Vadis Fields
His 204
Professor Kevin Owens
February 27, 2010 Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Imperialism is the control of one or a number of countries by a dominant nation. The control may be political, economic or both. It indicates a degree of independence in the subordinate nation. This discussion will cover why the policy was adopted, how it was rationalized, some of the major events of this time, and what countries did the United States become involved with. Imperialism was promoted by monopolizing the external trade of the subordinate nation. The imperial power takes raw materials from the colony and sells its finished goods in return, discouraging the development of any manufacturing company that may compete with its own. The Anti-Imperialist League did not agree with the way the United States controlled the other nations. The American Anti-Imperialist League was founded in 1899, after the United States occupied Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Island. The Anti Imperialist League was founded “in order to campaign against the annexation of the Philippines.” (Carl Schurz 1913) There were many policies that the League was trying to put in place. The league protested and stated that, “the policy known as imperialism is hostile to liberty and tends towards militarism.” (Carl Schurz 1913) They contended that all men are entitled to life, liberty, and happiness. They accused the government of being “disloyal to the principles of government and called it criminal aggression.” (Carl Schurz 1913) Another policy that the league attacked was “the policy of the present national administration in the Philippines that seeks to extinguish their spirit of 1776.” (Carl Schurz 1913) The league wanted the government to cease the war against liberty and grant the Philippines the independence that was rightfully theirs. We as Americans were
References: Love, E. (2004) Race over Empires: Race and the US imperialism 1865 – 1900. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. Retrieved February 26, 2010 from uncpress.unc.edu Schurz, C. (1913) Modern History Source Book: American Anti – Imperialist League 1899 vol 6 Edition. Fredrick Bancroft, New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons