Dbq: American Imperialism

What is imperialism and how did it affect the American foreign policy? Imperialism is the expansion of a country to take power over other areas of the world. Because of imperialism the United States was able to grow and spread into a powerful country. Imperialism had many roles into shaping the foreign policy of America during the 19th and 20th century. In this essay, certain documents will let us know how imperialism began to affect the foreign policies of America and what were some results of it.

The Spanish-American war was a sign that started the era of imperialism in America. Expanding into the empires of Europe, American was desiring to still grow. Causes for war were the Cuban Revolution, Yellow Press, the sinking of the USS Maine, and the desire for the U.S. to expand. In Document A, William Mckinley gave a speech to a Methodist Church group on November 1899. He spoke about how he looked up to god to ask for help in guiding him. He believed that everyone should be like them and act like they do because that is what God wants. By the 20th century the United States was willing to take the role of regional policeman but in the early 1900s President Roosevelt was concerned about other nations and European powers starting a war. In Document B, it states “...may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States..” The Roosevelt Corollary of December 1904 stated that the United States would intervene as a last resort to ensure that other nations in the Western Hemisphere fulfilled their obligations to international creditors, and did not violate the rights of the United States or invite “foreign aggression to the detriment of the entire body of American nations.” As the corollary worked out in practice, the United States increasingly used military force to restore internal stability to nations in the region.

In Document E, The Platt Amendment established that the United States would any type of military occupation with Cuba and leave Cuba to control it’s people. American Imperialism with Cuba ended with that Amendment and this begun during the Spanish War. In document In Document F, other countries were also getting powerful enough to take over other nations or areas in the world so the United States asked the German’s Majesty’s government for assurance and protection. The “sphere of interest” could not be dealt with and the Chinese treaty tariff during the time being could not be for landed merchandise