The Imperial Expansion Essay

The United States of America today is no doubt a superpower. Its recent invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and its hold of the war against terrorism world wide just to mention a few verify this claim. Its hold of power however dates back to the late 19th century and the early 20th century with what was commonly known as the imperial expansion. Since the civil war period, America had been an isolationist but by the end of the 19th century, America had captured a number of nations including Cuba, manila, Hawaii and also part of Columbia by the construction of the Panama Canal.
These sudden expansions and invasions were fuelled by a number of factors all bordering on economics and diplomacy. As a result of the increased productivity in farming and manufacturing industries, the country started to look out for other markets to supply its goods and services. The increased population, labor violence, productivity and wealth also increased the need for the US to expand to overseas states.
The ‘yellow press’ of William Randolph and Joseph Pulitzer was also a key factor for overseas expansion as well as Christian missionaries who believed in the civilization of others and the spread of books and religion. Since the early 19th century, the world believed that a strong navy was a key requirement for any nation to become a superpower. America was not left behind in the quest for this status and this led to the invasion of Hawaii, Philippines and Columbian in a bid to construct naval bases.
The ‘big sister policy’ which was pushed through by James Blam sought better relations between the United States and Latin America and also opened doors for American expansion through the establishment of trade agreements.
Lastly, Charles Darwin and his traditional theory of survival for the fittest induced America to spread its territorial influence. Europe, during the same time for instance was already spreading its vast influence across the globe with interests in Africa and Asia and particularly in China.
The battle for these international resources however was not an easy task for this great nation-America. For instance, Germany and the US almost went to war over who would have the right to construct a naval base on the Samoan islands while Italy and the US were at the verge battle over the murder of 11 Italians in New Orleans. Such incidents were also reported between America and Chile.
In 1885, there was a revolution in Cuba against Spain over alleged years of misrule. The Cubans burnt down their sugar plantations- a very important commodity during those days, in anticipation that Spain would leave or better still, America would intervene. The Americans actually supported Cuba but the situation worsened when the general of Spain Valeriano Weyley came and crushed the revolt defeating the Americans. There was a public outcry for war in America but their president, Cleveland could actually do nothing.
February 15th of 1898 saw the explosion of a US battle ship in Havana harbor killing approximately 260 men; America demanded war and blamed Spain. On April 15th, Cleveland sent a war message to congress since war with Spain seemed inevitable, opposing war would split the Republican Party from America and thirdly, America had to defend democracy.
All these invasions saw America conquer Cuba, Hawaii, Philippines and other smaller islands. This is also the time when America forcefully constructed the Panama Canal on Columbian soil although a treaty was later signed between the two parties.
There are however some Americans who were opposed to the imperial expansion of America and this led to the rise of the anti- imperialists league that was identified with mark twain, Andrew Carnegie, William James and Samuel Gompers. They believed that it was un-American to deny people their freedom or to violate the consent of the governed yet the Philippines wanted to be free. Secondly they stated that the expansion was a very costly affair since America was spending millions of dollars in military preparations and equipment which was not good for the still growing economy.