reply to classmates
the reading for this one
Which of the following reasons do you believe motivated the United States to adopt a policy of imperialism in the late 19th century?
- Competition with European powers.
- National security.
- Economic security and securing new markets.
- To help improve the political and economic status of other nations/people.
Provide examples of political decisions and events that support your opinion and discuss the impact at home and overseas as a result of US imperialism. Make sure to cite all sources.
1.
Austin Briggs
Unit 4 DB
National security played a vital role in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism in the late 19th century. In order to embrace imperialism, the U.S. would have to fix its economy due to the Great Depression. When President Roosevelt took office in 1933, his primary focus was to restore the U.S. economy with the new deal. Although Roosevelt would help many citizens with the establishment of The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Public Works Administration (PWA), and The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), many problems remained, and more to come. The second new deal came a few years after the first, with the most significant success being Social Security. \”Social Security created a system of state-administered welfare payments for the poor, unemployed, and disabled based on matching state and federal contributions.\”(2009). The Wealth Tax Act also placed higher taxes on wealthy individuals.
Once Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and World War 2 started, there was great concern in the public to keep the U.S. out of the war; Roosevelt stood by his statement, promising to keep the U.S. out of any foreign war. However, Roosevelt knew Britain and allied powers needed to win against the third reich and Japan. In January 1941, President Roosevelt prosed the Lend-Lease Act. The lend-lease would lend \”arms and other supplies needed by any country whose security was vital to the defense of the United States.\”(2022). We also see examples of this in the foundation of the idealism of the United States. In the Declaration of Independence it states, \”But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.\”(2023). By aiding coalition forces, the U.S., in turn, protects the homeland and improves foreign U.S. relations.
George Clack. (2009). Outline of U.S. History: Vol. [Rev. ed.]. Nova
National Archives and Records Administration. (2022). Lend-lease act (1941). National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/lend-lease-act
National Archives and Records Administration. (2023). Declaration of independence: A transcription. National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
2.
Michael Quinn
Motivations for American Imperialism
I believe that the era of American Imperialism was motivated by economic reasons, whether it was economic security or opportunity in new markets. While you could make a case that imperialism was motivated by competition with Europe, the \”competition\” was an economic one. National security interests also had economic implications. Developing a strong military presence, and expansion into colonial regions, allowed America to protect its financial and economic interests. Growing the economy and opportunities for great financial success have always been a driving force in American culture. As Clack states, \”Colonial-minded administrations were often more concerned with trade and economic issues than political control\”. United States intervention in the affairs of the Carribean and Pacific island nations always had an eye on economic gain. Consider Hawaii, whose government was ready to \”end foreign influence\” in 1893. American businessmen used their influence to have the Hawaiian people depose their own government and request annexation. Even in Roosevelt\’s \”Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine\”, while speaking on issues of security and peace in the Western hemisphere, there is mention of nations protecting their \”interests\”. To suggest that America was motivated to become a police power and intervene in world affairs purely out of some noble sense of duty to other nations of the Americas would be irresponsible. American imperialism, like much of our nation\’s history, was about money and economic growth at its core.
George Clack. (2009). Outline of U.S. History: Vol. [Rev. ed.]. Nova.