Imperialism Essay - 771 Words

Imperialism could be considered as a defining characteristic of America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Imperialism is defined as â€Å"a policy of extending a countrys power and influence through diplomacy or military force† (Imperialism and Immigration). When it comes to imperialism in America, I must say that other factors were more influential than social Darwinism. Although I do agree to a certain extent that social Darwinism did play a big role, things such as expansionist objectives, European activity, and economic opportunity overall had a bigger part in the movement. Expansionist objectives became well known and a widely shared view in the 1830s, and by 1893 Americans were ready to expand past the United States. Frederick†¦show more content†¦This expansion of Europe then became concerning to Americans, if Europe kept expanding, they would gain more power, and with more power, we couldn’t be sure that we would be able to protect ourselves or our ideas (Imperialism and Immigration). This worry then led to the ideas of Alfred Thayer Mahan who thought that we needed a much stronger navy to protect ourselves. Mahan believed that the United States could use sea power in two different but beneficial ways, one was for peace which meant commerce with other countries as well as being able to build ports for our ships, and then our men could refuel and rest, and the other reason simply put, was for war. Mahan even states â€Å"The influence of the government will be felt in its most legitimate manner in maintaining an armed navy, of a size commensurate with the growth of its shipping and the importance of the interests connected with it† (Mahan 1890). These worries of European activity and the worries of building up our own economy became the driving force behind building a stronger navy to be able to pursue imperialism, not social Darwinism. Furthermore, economic opportunity for the United States had a huge role in the push for imperialism. With growing concerns of Europe expanding in size, the US began to be further concerned about the potentialShow MoreRelatedEssay on Imperialism1350 Words   |  6 Pages Imperialism is often excused as a way of liberating people from tyrannical rule or by introducing the policies of a â€Å"better† way of life. It is based on the ground of a variety of causes running the gamut of economic pressures, greed, security, power, prestige, religion, and many other effective measures that can be taken given the circumstances. Arguments about the roots and virtue of imperialism can be put into four basic groups. The first is whether or not imperialism is economically beneficialRead MoreThe American Imperialism Essay558 Words   |  3 Pagescollect power through Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines, debate arose among historians about American imperialism and its behavior. Historians suc h as William A. Williams, Arthur Schlesinger, and Stephen Kinzer provides their own vision and how America ought to be through ideas centered around economics, power, and racial superiority. Economics becomes a large factor in the American imperialism; but more specifically that expansion in foreign markets is a vital part in the growth of America. AsRead MoreEssay on Imperialism in America1192 Words   |  5 PagesImperialism in America At the turn of the century, America and the views of its people were changing. Many different ideas were surfacing about issues that affected the country as a whole. The Republican Party, led by William McKinley, were concentrating on the expansion of the United States and looking to excel in power and commerce. The Democratic Party at this time was led by William Jennings Bryan, who was absorbed in a sponge of morality and was concerned with the rights of man. TheRead MoreGerman Imperialism Essay2422 Words   |  10 PagesGermany received elevated political status from occupying colonies, the economic and military efforts that were invested in maintaining and obtaining its colony of Namibia could not justify this elevated political position. Through the means of imperialism, Germany hoped that it would consolidate its position as an international power. This would be done by strengthening the German economy, spreading German influence, and gaining political status. Firstly, between 1875 and 1914, holding a largeRead More The Advent of Imperialism Essay2934 Words   |  12 PagesThe Advent of Imperialism We live in a world today in which the consequences of nineteenth-century Western imperialism are still being felt. By about 1914 Western civilization reached the high point of its long-standing global expansion. This expansion in this period took many forms. There was, first of all, economic expansion. Europeans invested large sums of money abroad, building railroads and ports, mines and plantations, factories and public utilities. Trade betweenRead MoreEssay on Imperialism and Colonialism2505 Words   |  11 PagesImperialism has been noted to be practice of foreign rule in a context of hierarchy and subordination, which can eventually lead to the formation of an empire. Imperialism refers directly to the enhancement of power and military superiority. At the time when developed nations were colonizing less developed nations around the 1870s, the age of Imperialism began. Referring to the time were nations such as the United States, Germany, and Japan began to employ imperialist doctrines to their governanceRead MoreEssay On British Imperialism1198 Words   |  5 Pagesempire. Overall, whether an advertisement for soap, or the funeral for Dr. Livingstone, visual and material culture was at the forefront of British imperialism. Although Britain abolished slavery in 1833, the shackles of racism remained. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Social Darwinism became a popular ideology used to justify imperialism. Built upon Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, Social Darwinists applied natural selection to the human race, arguing human societyRead MoreJapan and The Influence of Imperialism Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pagesin 1854. While it had a strict policy about maintaining its isolation, it had no choice but to succumb to imperialism. When Commodore Matthew Perry visited, Japan realized that isolation had resulted in their inability to develop economically and militarily with the industrialized world. Thus from 1854 to 1914, the Japanese changed from being under the influence of imperialism to becoming an imperialist nation, as well as coming out of feudalism and going to into modern militarismRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution and Imperialism Essay872 Words   |  4 PagesThe concept of imperialism is one that has pervaded nearly every major society or empire throughout human history. It seems to be a natural consequence of societies growing in size, power, and knowledge. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries vast changes occurred in Western Europe (and soon spread elsewhere) that spurred a new round of imperialism the likes of which had not been seen before. The changes were the industrial revolution that was taking place. Countries were rapidly advancing toRead MoreEuropean Imperialism in Africa Essay1405 Words   |  6 PagesRhodes’s quote clearly illustrates a materialistic point of view, owing to the fact that he was the founder of De Beers Diamond Company. Being a businessman, a desire of profit was natural. However, there are other examples that show a condemnation of imperialism for economical reasons. According to William Clark , in The Genesis of Jingoism, â€Å"capitalism is international†¦ and it will prove in the long run to be one of the leading factors in breaking down of nationalism.† Owing to the fact that this excerpt