Imperialism in America
Imperialism in America
It has been proven time and again throughout history that in order to survive, a nation must expand its borders and become more powerful. This is shown by the European countries' power at the beginning of the 20th century. They were the strongest countries in the world, and between them they controlled almost the entire globe. Soon after, America also became imperialistic. Three reasons America became imperialistic was to acquire naval bases and refueling stations for their ships, to control new markets in which to sell American products, and to get more raw materials and resources to help feed the growing American industries.
The first reason Americans turned ...
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War, America looked to the Pacific islands of Midway, Samoa, and Guam, among others, to serve as bases and refueling stations for their navy. All three of these islands held very strategic positions. Midway was in the more northern Pacific Ocean, Samoa protected the southern Pacific, and Guam was the closest pacific island to the Philippines and China.
Another reason America became imperialistic was to get more raw materials and resources. Like any industrial nation at the time, America was pumping out their manufactured products faster than the raw materials could keep up with. In order to keep producing at the rate it was, America needed to find another source from which to acquire their raw materials. An example is West Africa, where America used its Open Door Policy to freely trade. Africa had many natural rubber trees, which was just what America needed for its growing bicycle and automobile industries. Also, Alaska offered many attractive prospects to Americans. It was a ...
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many American favored annexing the Philippines was because they lay close to China. If they couldn't have markets in China, they could have markets in the Philippines and sell American products there. Hawaii also held many attractive prospects for American businessmen, but not necessarily to sell products in. Hawaii naturally grew many exotic fruits and vegetables that the continental U.S. couldn't. These would sell for high prices in the U.S., and many entrepreneurs turned their attention to Hawaii.
Though there were many benefits to imperialism, many people opposed it. Some of the more prominent Americans who opposed imperialism included former Presidents Harrison and Cleveland, ...
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Imperialism in America. (2011, April 11). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Imperialism-in-America/97907
"Imperialism in America." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Imperialism-in-America/97907>
"Imperialism in America." Essayworld.com. April 11, 2011. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Imperialism-in-America/97907.
"Imperialism in America." Essayworld.com. April 11, 2011. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Imperialism-in-America/97907.
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