Imperialism Case

Much of the world was skeptical about America's success when it had declared its independence, when it declared war against Britain and later against itself. Ironically after every obstacle, the young nation not only succeeded but came back stronger and more powerful, proving that democracy is the ideal form of government and the American way of life is one that is unequaled. Consequently, the people and their leaders saw it fit to push westward and Americanize the natives for it was God's plan. And so throughout the late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century imperialism in the United States continued on the old expansionism traditions of preaching the superiority of the white man, however both were promoted by different interests, influenced by contrasting concerns, and had varying goals.

Expansionists believed that the United States should move into the western half of North America because it was "destiny" and geographically logical for them to span from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The rapid expansion of the nation following the Mexican-American War, along with significant military successes and developments in transportation and communication, fueled theories of Anglo-Saxon supremacy that fused with national pride to produce Manifest Destiny (Doc B). The phrase "manifest destiny" was first used in 1845 by those who advocated the annexation of Texas. Since then it became the calling for western expansion and therefore a cry for those who also sought to justify American imperialism. In both instances, there was talk of Christianizing and superiority of the white race as justification for aggressive actions towards those who were victims to imperialism and westward expansion. For example, when America assumed power in the Philippines, they were extremely racist and violent because the white man's burden forced them to help "civilize" the "savages" when in reality it was another outlet to Asian markets, more power, more money (Doc E). In addition, America also took over Cuba for similar reasons, but this time their hands were tied because of the Monroe Doctrine, which allowed American intervention within the realm of the Western Hemisphere because they were the most "civilized" and it is their duty- and their duty only- to rule over the lesser, uncivilized nations (Doc 6).

The most striking differences between expanding to the west under Manifest Destiny and annexing "lesser", foreign countries under the White Man's Burden