The Factors And Sources Of American Imperialism

After the civil War, Americans showed little interest to expandism. Nevertheless, Americans had begun to explore the idea Manifest Destiny. Their ancestors had been inspired when they acquired territories from Native Americans. Later, from Mexico. Despite Americans being not keen on overseas expansion, Americans became aware of European imperialist goals at the start of the 20th-century. France, Germany and Britain were all vying for control of foreign lands. The fear of diminishing natural resources and the 1890s depression encouraged business elites to seek new markets. Many Americans were also inspired by some ideologies, such as New Manifest Destiny or Natural Selection by Charles Darwin. American imperialism is evident in their annexation and control of Samoa and Hawaii. The Americans also controlled Puerto Rico and the Philippines. It is important to ask the question, “What were the reasons America followed the imperial agenda?” However, the ideological, strategic, and economic reasons are all responsible for American imperialism. America knew from the beginning that imperialism was a European policy. They were afraid that European imperialist powers could control resources overseas and leave the Americans with nothing. William Henry Seward’s support for the dream of an Asian-Pacific commercial empire is equally important to propel the Americans towards imperialism. Mahan’s The Influence on Sea Power Upon History added a second strategic dimension to American international policy, which eventually led toward expansionist policies. Americans also sought to expand their territories overseas due to ideological factors, such as Darwin’s natural evolution and the notion of a new manifest destiny. In their actions in annexing Hawaii, Samoa and other islands, it is obvious that American imperialism is clearly visible. Because Hawaii was strategically important for their sea route to China, the Americans wanted to annexe it. America annexed Hawaii on 1889 and Samoa Island on 1899. Additionally, the United States fought war against Spain to control Cuba and Philippine. The United States attacked Spanish troops in the Philippines in 1898 and signed a defense accord with the Philippines, which is still ongoing. The same thing happened with Cuba. America supported Spain against Cuba and played a significant role in removing Spain from Cuba. Puerto Rico, also a part of Spain’s empire, was later occupied and declared an American territory by the Jones Act of 1917. American expansionism and imperialism were not the work of small groups. It was the work of a select group, including missionaries, intellectuals and business leaders. Many influential political figures supported it. Theodore Roosevelt, an imperialist and ardent supporter of expansionism was one example. His strongest argument was that America has already overtaken the region and therefore deserves to expand its territories beyond the United States. The “Roosevelt Corollary”, also known as the Monroe Doctrine, was his policy. “The United States,” he said, had the right…to intervene in domestic affairs of its neighbor.” Henry Cabot Lodge was also a strong supporter of imperialism. He made a wise comment, “In our interests of commerce, of our fullest developmental, we should build Nicaragua Canal. We should also control the Hawaiian Islands to protect the canal. Also, for our commercial supremacy over the Pacific, we must maintain our influence on Samoa.” American imperialism, however, was met with criticism from different parts of American society. The Anti- Imperialist League, for example, was founded in 1898 to oppose annexation. Allan Brinkley (2001), a writer about anti-imperialists including Mark Twain. Samuel Gompers thought that imperialism is immoral. Others worried about the possibility of introducing inferior Asian race to the United States. American industrial workers discovered that cheap labor was available from colonized territory.

Conservatives were also concerned about the large standing army, entangling foreign allies and other requirements that imperialism would impose and which they feared would endanger American liberties. William Appleman Williams (1980), was criticised for saying, “

The American idea about imperialism has been criticised for many reasons. In short, the American race for imperialism began at the beginning of the 20th century against European powers that were attempting to control foreign lands. America’s decision to pursue expansionism was influenced by strategic, ideological and economic factors. America annexed Hawaii and Samoa from the Philippines, as well as Puerto Rico from Spain, in their pursuit of imperialism. An elite section of American society supported expansionism, such as Theodore Roosevelt, who was an avid supporter of imperialism. However, many others in American society criticized this idea.