Imperialist Blog Entry

Isadora Germain
Red
Imperialism has been a big part of politics and economics in the United States ever since it
became popular in the 20th century. It offered the United States many benefits, including
national security and access to foreign markets. However, the extreme cost and risk that came
with imperialism made it not worth the hardships, both at the beginning of the 20th century and
today. During Roosevelt's presidency the want for war and imperialism was very present among
the nation's people. Roosevelt had the belief that imperialism was necessary for a country's
safety. The United States' goals included globalization, naval bases around the world, and good
trade relations with other countries. Although imperialism was one of the United States' main
focuses, it was, "too expensive and therefore a problematic grand strategy for a country like the
United States," as Robert D. Kaplan stated. The benefits of imperialism did not outweigh the
problems it caused. Today, in the United States, the view on imperialism is much different than it
was in the 20th century. Although it still occurs, it is not as common as it was in the past. Obama
is an anti-imperialist president. The United States has to be very careful with how it involves
itself in the world when it comes to imperialism, the balance in the world is fragile and if
America tries to fix other countries problems, it may lead to war. Obama sees imperialism as too
expensive as well and keeps, "America's enemies at bay through the use of inexpensive drones,"
Robert D. Kaplan said of Obama's strategies to preserve our nation's security. Imperialism is
overall a bad choice in both the past and present. It is not very cost-effective, and does not offer
results pleasing to the nation. For this reason, the United States should stay involved in world

leadership only to the extent that it is beneficial for them, and not an invasion past another
countrys comfort.