The Rise Of American Empire Essays - Imperialism,

The Rise Of American Empire The idea of American Imperialism had both its advocates and its critics. One only needs to look at a map to see which side won. America has greatly expanded since its own phase as a colony of the greatest European Empire of the time. America became her own Empire through the accusation of vast territories through many different mean. Sometimes she purchases the mighty morsel, sometimes she forms it by the natural increase of her own people, sometimes she annexes, and sometimes she conquers it (Manifest). The rise of American Empire received support because in many ways it seemed a proper product of past American history and tradition (Healy 47). Several American ideals such as: expansionism, progress, mission, and racial inequality were some of the main assumptions held of imperialism (Healy 34). The idea of Manifest Destiny had been with Americans long before the term was coined by John L OSullivan in 1845 (Sanford 26). American had been an expansionist nation since its earliest days (Brinkley 604). Americans saw themselves as expanding more than just political boundaries. They saw themselves as expanding the frontiers of freedom and carrying forward civilization and Christianity as their mission from God (Healy 35). Americans felt that their building of a new and better society in the heathen lands was the very embodiment of progress (Healy 37). Americans concept of their superiority over all other races did not just promote the idea of Empire but justified and mandated imperialism (Healy 39). It would seem that the White race alone received the divine command, to subdue and replenish the earth! for it is the only race that has obeyed it the only one that hunts out new and distant lands to subdue and replenish (Benton). With us being the superior race, all their rights as their own society and culture are irrelevant. They are unfit even for themselves and need our direction and government. Without a sense of equality between them and us, we can do anything without a sense of guilt and, in fact, must do everything. According to American, races as well as individuals must follow Social Darwinisms laws of survival of the fittest (Brinkley, 606). American imperialism also possessed the solution to several arising problems in that time (Healy 34). America desired to keep up with the imperialist fever that was raging through the European countries (Brinkley 604). Europe had already conquered and possessed a vast majority of Africa and other uncivilized lands. This provided these countries with new raw materials and foreign markets. America was falling behind. America had already practiced transcontinental imperialism for decades, but without extra-territorial imperialism America was being left out. The closing of the frontier had produced widespread fear that Americas natural resources would dwindle, necessitating foreign alternatives (Brinkley 605). The prolonged business depression in 1893 also encouraged the economic interest in the foreign markets available through imperialism (Healy 45). Imperialism was supported by beliefs and current events, but also by numerous people of power. Business was interested in imperialism because of the possibility of new markets. The majority of the population, including popular authors like Rudyard Kipling, supported imperialism because of the concept of the civilizing mission. And government supported imperialism as a means of gaining both political and military power. Both President William McKinley and President Theodore Roosevelt supported the rise of American imperialism. At first it seemed as though President McKinley was unsure of whether to become and imperialist nation or not (McKinley). However, he held the same beliefs expansionism, progress, mission, and racial inequality as the majority of society so eventually he succumbed to the imperialist urge (McKinley). His statement explaining his attitudes towards the Philippines exemplifies the attitude held: (1) That we could not give them back to Spain that would be cowardly and dishonorable; (2) that we could not turn them over to France or Germany that would be bad business; (3) that we could not leave them to themselves they were unfit for self-government; (4) that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them (Malcolm). Theodore Roosevelt advocated imperialism