The effects of American Imperialism – an American empire with colonies across the globe – began to appear at the end of the 18th century at a time when the emerging super power had already accumulated considerable industrial assets and influence, and was now in search of new markets where the goods and services could be sold (Beveridge 4). Initially, the idea was welcomed and people appreciated the influx of cash that the U.S brought with itself when it entered into trade partnerships with the lesser developed countries (James 1). People expected economic growth, better wages and an overall improved quality of life to be the result. However, over time, the trade allies realized that their natural resources, from coal, oil to natural gas, were being used up by American industries, and they were getting only a fraction of the benefits; also, as people became more politically aware, the inability to have their own independent government, began causing deep-rooted resentment against what began to be seen as illegal control of their country (James 3).
A case in point is when the United States’ armed forces seizing control of the naval bases as well as the government of the Philippines after helping the country defeat the Spanish forces. Instead of supporting the revolutionary politician Emilio Aguinaldo to head the government, the 25th U.S President William McKinley issued directives by which the U.S retained control over the land and breadth of an independent country (James 1).
According to author William James, whose viewpoint I agree with, the democratically and humanely correct line of action should have been to support Aguinaldo in establishing a free country, through elections, instead of using its military might to overrule the will of the people. Such actions of the U.S. that can be witnessed in some form even today, go against the beliefs on which the world’s super power was established; namely freedom of speech and the right to vote for every citizen.
Imposing American Imperialism instead of creating free nations that would be allies of the U.S, has backfired for it. The funding required to maintain military bases on foreign lands has taken its toll on a weakening economy, while post 9/11, countries, especially Muslim ones resent and actively fight against any U.S presence in their territory as can be seen from the continued terrorist attacks against U.S assets and people (James 2).
Beveridge’s stance that one race and nation of people is genetically superior to others and that this grants an unspoken right to abandon human rights, to invade countries, take possession of their resources and use them for the advancement of the U.S is hypocritical in my opinion (Beveridge 2). This view that one nation has the duty to govern all others, all in the name of progress and development, is faulty and impractical. Eventually, the U.S has had to retract its presence from many countries simply because it could not afford to do so.
Works Cited
Beveridge, Albert J. "March Of The Flag." Address to an Indiana Republican Meeting. Indiana, 16 September 898.
James, Nathan. "Pros and Cons of American Imperialism." 24 January 2015. Asia-Pacific Economics Blog. Online. 1 April 2016.
James, William. "The Philippine Tangle." Boston Evening Transcript 1 March 1899. Print.
