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Dbq: Us as a World Power

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Dbq: Us as a World Power
DBQ: U.S. as World Power
In the 1890’s, the idea of imperialism had begun imprinting itself in American minds. Many Americans began to believe that the United States was either going to explode or expand. Our country had a new sense of power which was generated from the growth of our industry and wealth. There were Americans who had pushed the idea of imperialism through books and articles, calling it the adventures of childhood dreams. The first moments had begun with President Cleveland and his secretary of state James G. Blaine. Imperialism had come off as an idea that benefited the world but, the cold hard truth was that we were simply just benefiting ourselves. Our new international interests began in several ways. Blaine had pushed the Big Sister policy, with this policy we were able to get the Latin Americans to rally with Uncle Sam. This give off an impression that we want to help out the others, give them an idea of bond ship with the United States but in reality, what we truly wanted was their open markets and utilize them for ourselves. Document A shows how power-hungry we are, wanting “to show our strength” and wanting “the taste of Empire”. One of the first ways we showed off our new, violent, and power hungry status was in 1899 against Germany. The two nations had been bickering over the Samoan Islands. Luckily, this was resolved and no war broke out. Alaska, another area of issues that occurred between The U.S. and Canada. This fight was a more idealistic than self interest one though. The hostilities had begun with seal hunting which, the United States was against giving off their humanitarian ideology. Doc. B, provide an explanation of this by stating that “we cannot fly from our world duties”. Hawaii was another area of interest to America. It’s location was able to hold a naval and it was enriched with resources the nation could use. American planters were searching for ways to secure Hawaii’s annexation. The Queen of Hawaii was against this and

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