U.S. Imperialism: Continuities and Departures

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The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a transformative period in the history of the United States, as the nation embarked on a path of imperial expansion that both continued and departed from its past practices. Alfred Thayer Mahan's seminal work, "The Influence of Sea Power upon History," published in 1890, highlighted the strategic importance of naval supremacy for global dominance, igniting a fierce competition with other emerging powers such as Germany, France, and Japan. By the dawn of the 20th century, the United States had established itself as a formidable naval force and a burgeoning global powerhouse.

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The complexity of this era lies in the dual nature of U.S. expansionism: on one hand, it was a continuation of traditional imperialism with its focus on defense and manifest destiny, and on the other, it marked a departure with new emphases on economic gain, overseas influence, and evolving political motivations.

Manifest Destiny and Cultural Continuities

The concept of Manifest Destiny, which emerged in the mid-17th century, served as a spiritual and ideological underpinning for American expansionism. It was rooted in the belief that the United States was divinely ordained to expand westward across the North American continent, from "sea to shining sea," in order to spread its principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This ideology persisted into the late 19th century, as illustrated by Albert Beveridge's 1898 speech, "The March of the Flag," which encapsulated the prevailing sense of American exceptionalism and justified imperialism as a moral and national mission. Similarly, Rudyard Kipling's 1899 poem, "The White Man's Burden," echoed themes of racial superiority and the obligation to uplift supposedly inferior peoples, drawing parallels to earlier missionary efforts to convert Native Americans. Josiah Strong's book, "Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis," further exemplified this continuity by advocating for the spread of Anglo-Saxon values and Christianity as a justification for imperial expansion. These cultural and social motivations were deeply ingrained in the American psyche, reflecting a continuity of thought that linked past and present imperial endeavors.

Economic and Political Departures

While cultural motivations for expansion persisted, the late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a significant departure from past imperialism, characterized by a new focus on economic interests and geopolitical strategies. Alfred Thayer Mahan's 1897 book, "The Interest of America in Sea Power," emphasized the necessity of acquiring overseas territories to prevent rival powers from doing so and to bolster American economic interests. This period saw the emergence of what can be termed "dollar diplomacy," where economic considerations were paramount in the pursuit of new markets and resources. The Spanish-American War of 1898, supported by figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, marked a turning point as the United States sought to acquire territories such as the Philippines from Spain. The acquisition of the Philippines, viewed as a colony, was driven by the promise of new markets for American products and access to valuable raw materials like coal and petroleum. The Supreme Court's decision in Downes v. Bidwell further underscored this economic focus, as it ruled that U.S. territories were not automatically entitled to constitutional rights, emphasizing their role in serving American economic interests. Politically, Roosevelt's invocation of the Monroe Doctrine in his 1904 Annual Message to Congress highlighted the strategic imperative of keeping European powers out of the Western Hemisphere. This political maneuvering represented a departure from earlier expansionist goals, which had been primarily concerned with continental expansion and the preservation of independence.

Concluding Reflections

In conclusion, the era of U.S. imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was marked by both continuity and change. While the enduring influence of Manifest Destiny and cultural exceptionalism provided a familiar backdrop, the period was characterized by a marked shift toward economic and political motivations. The United States emerged as a global force, driven by a complex interplay of traditional beliefs and contemporary ambitions. This multifaceted approach to imperialism not only shaped the nation's trajectory but also laid the groundwork for its current position of global hegemony. By examining the continuities and departures of this era, we gain a deeper understanding of the forces that propelled the United States onto the world stage and continue to influence its role in international affairs today.

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U.S. Imperialism: Continuities and Departures. (2021, Mar 19). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-influence-of-sea-power-upon-history/