American Imperialism 1

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American Imperialism

Part 1

Complete the chart by identifying the following:

 Identify the countries or areas where the United States engaged in imperialistic actions during the period from about 1870 to 1914.
 Discuss why each area was important to American empire building (political, economic, and social).
 Explain America’s expansionist ideals. What were some of the factors that justified American imperialist actions?
 Identify the current political status of these places in relation to the United States.

Age of Imperialism: 1870 to 1914

Place Why was there interest? U.S. actions Status today

Politically, the United States had
Philippines the desire to colonize and
conquer the Philippines in order
to achieve their destiny as a
great power. Economically, the
empire wanted to expand their
markets and increase on
exports. Socially, America felt
that Philippines was the right
place to extend their spread of
Christianity.
Politically, the American Empire
Cuba wanted to protect their Cuban-
American citizens from Spain
and help Cuba fight for their
independence. Economically,
Cuba had some major minerals
and sugar plantations that the
American Empire wanted to

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exploit. Just like in the

Phillipines, America wanted to
strengthen their religion in Cuba.
Politically, America wanted to
Austria strengthen global security and
promote democracy in Europe
which was regarded a more
dictatorial continent.
Economically, Austria was a
member of different European
trade unions which America
wanted to exploit for exportation
without trade barriers. Socially,
the United States wanted to
promote defend their values and
peace between them and the
European nations.
Politically, America wanted to
Korea contain communism in Korea.
Economically, they wanted to
prevent the domino effect which
would affect Japan, one of
American’s main trade partners
at the time. Socially,

Politically and socially, the

Japan United States utilized diplomacy
in order to maintain peace in the
nation therefore improving their
political relationship with the
Japan. Economically, Americans
wanted to modernize Japan so
that they would conduct easily
conduct trade with them.

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Politically, the United States

Hawaiian Islands believed that Hawaii was
important since it was
strategically placed hence
strengthening its political power.
Economically, Hawaii was fertile
and rich in sugar as well which
would become a good source of
revenue for the country.
Socially, imperialism in Hawaii
would ensure good social
relations between the America
and European nations.

Part 2
Prompt 1
The term American imperialism refers to the United States' economic, military, and cultural influence on other countries. The concept of
the American Empire was popularized during the presidency of James K. Polk and became a reality in the latter half of the 1800s.
During this time, American companies sought new overseas markets to sell their goods as a result of industrialization. Furthermore, the growing
impact of social Darwinism led to the assumption that the United States was essentially responsible for transferring concepts like industry,
democracy, and Christianity to "savage" societies that were less developed. The United States became imperialistic as a result of a combination of
these attitudes and other causes. American imperialism is based on the country's uniqueness in the mission to promote democracy and liberty.
Whatever its beginnings, American imperialism reached the pinnacle of its power.
The United States was interested in expansion in the areas for various economic, political and social reasons. Some of the political
reasons include promoting global security, promoting capitalism and democracy and expanding their territories like in the case of Hawaii.
Economically, the American Empire wanted to promote trade and industrialization with other countries. Socially, the United States wanted to
spread Christianity to non-Christian nations and promoting peace in countries with ongoing wars like Cuba.
America was building a global empire because it wanted to become a global super power economically and politically.

Prompt 2
American Imperialism came with various benefits and disadvantages to the people living in those countries. For instance, the people of
Philippines and Cuba were protected from attacks by the Spanish people who wanted to colonize these countries. In other countries like Japan
and Korea, the actions by USA improved development of infrastructure and through industrialization, many people were employed. Their actions
also strengthened peace and security in nations of the world.

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One of the main disadvantages of their actions is that many people lost their lands and properties. For instance, in Cuba and Philippines,
many of their citizens lost their lives and property during the Spanish-American war. Another disadvantage was that some people lost their sources
of income when America exploited their raw materials, for example, sugar and various minerals in Cuba. Lastly, in their quest to forcefully spread
Christianity, most people had to join religions that they did not want to.
In terms of being conquered, I would describe their experiences through loss of land, property and independence. Hawaii which was an
independent kingdom before Imperialism, therefore, when the United States conquered the Island, it meant that they did not have their own
freedom anymore and most of them lost their land and properties. On assimilation, many citizens of these countries embraced Americans way of
living. For instance, the Cubans and Austrians started practicing Christianity and the countries started practicing democracy. Lastly, on the basis of
marginalization, during Imperialism, the people in those were dominated by Americans. For instance, in mineral firms and sugar plantations in
Cuba, the Cubans worked in the lowest jobs and in bad working conditions.

Prompt 3
What were the moral implications of American imperialism? How did Imperialists justify their actions? How did the Anti-Imperialists justify their
position? Consider the role of race, economics, science, and religion.
The moral ramifications of American imperialism were that any nation that grew strong enough appeared likely to build its own empire by
advancing its interests in other countries. The United States, for example, needed a large number of resources in Latin America and the
Caribbean, and obtained. Morality is also influenced by technology and economic changes, as evidenced by the shifting opinions regarding Neo -
colonialism over time as technological and economic ties have changed.
The imperialists justified their actions by explaining how they helped to strengthen the countries’ economies, democracy and unity. For
instance, fighting the Spanish colonists in Cuba protected their country from wars and helped them to acquire their independence. Engagement in
sugar plantations and mining in the same country made sure the country became more industrialized and the Americans developed the country’s
infrastructure. In countries like Austria who were ruled by dictators, America introduced democracy which strengthened peace and unification in
the country.
On the basis of race, Anti-Imperialists justified their position on imperialism by
Prompt 4
The major significance of the Spanish-American War is that the United States gained possession and/or authority of many new territories
as a result of its victory in the Spanish-American War. As a result of these and other territorial advances, a new far-flung empire was born. The
Hawaiian Islands were taken over by the United States prior to the Spanish-American War. Hawaii, a group of islands that remained autonomous
from the United States, had attracted American corporate interests since the early 1800s. The Dole Family was the greatest landowner at the
period, and the Hawaiian Royal family largely followed what they and the US said. In the mid-nineteenth century, a new monarch, Queen
Liliuokalani, took control of the islands and began enacting anti-American legislation. As a result of the laws' negative impact on commerce, the

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Doles and other private American businessmen funded a revolution and seized control of Hawaii. The USS Boston, a battleship from the United
States, sat in the harbor, deterring any Hawaiian resistance. The United States further acquired Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico and other Islands
as part of their Empire. America became one of the most dominant countries during this period both politically and economically.
Prompt 5
In my opinion, the United States is an Imperialist country currently. This is mainly due to the fact that USA no longer has the desire to
expand its territories to other nations. However, from the standard definition of imperialism, United States continues to influence other nations by
offering economic, political and military support. This does not necessarily mean imperialism because in the past, the United States offered
support to other countries and at the same time expanding their territory or taking over their raw materials. For instance, they offered military
support to the Cubans and helped them to fight for their independence from Spain only to take over the nation together with their sugar plantations
and minerals. Currently, the United States may have similar relationships with other countries but not to the extent of establishing empires. For
instance, the United States offers military support to countries in the Middle East to aid in the fight against terrorists but the government has never
tried to expand the America’s territory in any of the countries. The only reason the United States still appears to be imperialistic is because it is
more influential and powerful than most countries, therefore they either feel the urge to assist them or the countries ask for their help.

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