Imperialism: the right path?


The New Americas
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Special edition: Imperialism
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During the late 1800's America's changed in many ways. Some were negative, others were positive. We can all say that America is growing, the question is how? Well, with imperialism a high majority of Americans thought stronger nations had to have more power then smaller nations. In other words imperialism meant that America extend its power by using diplomacy or military force. During this time America would have done anything extend its power. People with power would lie, use violence, or use the big stick diplomacy. Additionally, newspapers would even publish lies to sell more papers! However, I must admit that our America grew! The economy flourished! In our newest newspaper edition we will go through the various reasons why America went through imperialism.

Nationalism is when a country feels superior over others. During the 1800's this was often around. Americans such as Theodore Roosevelt strongly believe in their nations power. Theodore Roosevelt used the big stick diplomacy. Talking about the big stick diplomacy, divide this into two. Big Stick: this makes you think of violence right? and Diplomacy, which is quite the opposite of violence.
-Another major reason is religion, many American's' believed in only their religion. Therefore, they wanted to spread it around the globe. Furthermore they also wanted more raw materials, therefore they traveled around the globe, or other materials such as petroleum or rubber.
-Military was growing, therefore they needed more bases for refueling. There military then grew to become on of the worlds leading powers. -> This lead to looking for places for refueling. -> Which then lead to America looking for other ways to economize on petroleum. This finally lead to the panama canal. The panama shortened the way for military and/or any ship. They then didn't use as much fuel and the money that was wasted on fuel was used on other important issues, making America wealthier and more powerful.
-America was scared. What of? Well they didn't want any nation to be stronger then them. So, they thought of every possible plan to stop this from happening. Those were untrustworthy acts that many powerful political men used.
-America's exces
s of power were obvious, what they did with the power was not always good. America was so imperialistic that they interfered into Cuban and Spanish problems. This happened when president McKinley sent a lost of demands to the Spanish to find a solution to their problem. However, Spain refused to give Cuba its independence. This then caused the Spanish and American war. Of course with all America achieved these past years they won this war easily. The US navy sank all of the Spanish ships. Furthermore, Spain then signed the treaty of Paris which included: Cuba is independent, and Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam were know to the US for twenty million dollars.
-Other less extreme examples of Americas imperialism is the fact that America got many lands in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Except for the purchase of Alaska. -Alaska had a lot of petroleum. Finally the annexation of Hawaii, this helped America's economy because the products could know be bought tax free.
-After America promised Philippines their independence, though in 1899 America refused to give them their independence. This then lead to a war that lasted three years. They didn't gain their indepetndence till 1946.
-Open door policy
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United States would have equal access to China's millions of consumers. (American approach to China around the 1900's, favoring open trade relations between China and other nations.
Americas Imperialism is summarized throughout:
  1. Purchase of Alaska
  2. Owning several small islands
  3. Economy growth

I would say that the effects of Imperialism were positive and negative depending who was on either place. Of course America was benefiting because of all the land they acquired, and all the economy growth. America could sell more products to other countries, and the courtiers would buy because America would be one of the only nation to sell the product. This would then mean America would not lower the prices and the other nation would have to pay the price. Also all the land America acquired got the owners of the land in debt, or took all their independence away. America would come and invest all they had in these little islands. This then lead to rebellions and death. Also other powerful nations were now in trouble because one nation was about to take all the power.

People that were for imperialism said their nation was much stronger therefore they needed to overcome any other nation. They also believed in social Darwinism, which is the same thing stronger survive, weakest die. Furthermore people wanted to keep the American spirit, finally many others blamed it on Manifest Destiny. Which wasn’t always the good thing to choose. People that were against this said they didn’t give people liberty to live their lives, which is like disrespecting people. They also said that they wasted too much money in military or other ‘pointless things’ though this wasn’t pointless, it was just prioritized.

I say that the positives overcome the negatives. There were many negatives as well, though America brought a lot to the other nations. The economy rose, especially in America and competition was know all around the world. I do believe that every state should have the right for liberty, but I also believe that for a nation to expand they need to conquer new land. Therefore I would like to end this newspaper by saying: GO AMERICA :)


Special news: Imperialism today?

We do have imperialism, if you haven't realized some nations are much richer !, and they take advantage on other nations. This is not obvious but the government does hide these kinds of problems. Conclusively imperialism is all around the world, yesterday, today and TOMMOROW.


Sources: Here, Here and Here :)

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