At the dawn of the 20th century, the United States of America entered the imperialistic race taking place in the rest of the world. Imperialism is defined as a way of extending a country’s power, influence, and wealth by means of diplomacy or military force. At this time, other countries around the world were determining their amount of power in the rest of the world. These countries include France, England, Germany, and a few others. The United States, being a new country, were not a part of this race and was often not viewed as a power at all even though they had the potential of being one. When the race first started, the United States held back. They did not join until much later on when they decided that they needed to increase their power, …show more content…
A part of the definition of imperialism is a country extending their ability and powers to increase their economy. The United States did this by creating the Panama Canal, which they used as a naval short cut. Before the Panama Canal exist, anytime that goods needed to be imported or exported ships carrying them had to travel around the tip of South America. This was often a dangerous, expensive, and time consuming trip. The Panama Canal opened up an optimal passage that prevented any further issues for the United States. They could now easily send goods throughout the United States easily via ships, but they could also do so with the rest of the world in a much easier way than before. The United States clearly exercised and enhanced their ability by making the canal and therefore benefitted their economy …show more content…
Before the canal was built, the United States did not hold much a distinction in the world or a lot of influence. Once the canal was built, the United States could share their goods and culture with the rest of the world in a way they could not before. News as well as ideas could be shared faster. This is an example of a nation spreading influence through their diplomacy, which is a part of the definition of imperialism. This made the United States look more desirable and noticeable as a nation. These factors increased their influence and power in the rest of the world because they were finally viewed as a leading
American imperialism has undergone varying transitions through its developmental stage in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and it was interpreted to be many things, including controversial to the original colonial beliefs. The United States rapidly took up the sport of becoming involved with foreign nations, and it was clear that through influence on these nations, the United States would grow in both territorial size and power in the global sense. America helped many Polynesian, Latin American, and Asian nations during this period, and most of the conversed issues was trade and foreign relations. The desire of territorial expansion was also in response to the blossoming ideal of Social Darwinism, where expansionism was justified if the United States was aiding struggling nations with their foreign and domestic policies. Although justified, Social Darwinism was an unethical approach to world power, and many perceived this step in American Imperialism as corrupt. The Panama Canal also held a large part in building American Imperialism. Creating this canal would determine which nation dominated the sea, and the United States was more than eager to pounce on the opportunity to increase their global influence. The United States dipped its hand into many global issues during and following the Gilded Age, and these hold the honor of molding American Imperialism, but its change over time was held up to debate by scholars in the Gilded age and by contemporary
American Imperialism has been a part of United States history ever since the American Revolution. Imperialism is the practice by which large, powerful nations seek to expand and maintain control or influence on a weaker nation. Throughout the years, America has had a tendency to take over other people's land. America had its first taste of Imperialistic nature back when Columbus came to America almost five hundred years ago. He fought the inhabitants with no respect for their former way of life, took their land, and proceeded to enslave many of these Native Americans. The impact of the 1820's and 1830's on American Imperialism is undeniable. Although the military power was not fully there during this time period, their ideals and foreign
The concept of imperialism is one that has pervaded nearly every major society or empire throughout human history. It seems to be a natural consequence of societies growing in size, power, and knowledge. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries vast changes occurred in Western Europe (and soon spread elsewhere) that spurred a new round of imperialism the likes of which had not been seen before. The changes were the industrial revolution that was taking place. Countries were rapidly advancing to industrial societies producing much greater quantities of goods at much lower costs. The goods produced ranged everywhere from cotton textiles to military machinery, all of which would play important roles in rounds of imperialistic expansion that
Strategies to increase the US Naval capabilities propelled imperialism development after the Civil War and were instrumental in America becoming an empire. The offense and defense America had established by gaining access to all continents by means of water was impressive.
Imperialism is a factor that has transformed societies and nations over the course of history. In the past, nations such as France, Great Britain, Germany, and Spain have been categorized as “imperialistic” nations. These nations referred to advanced technology as power. The industrial revolution and increase in new technology gave them the idea to want to spread their ideas to other countries around the world. This involved taking over nations and building colonies to benefit the mother country.
We come up with many ways to make our country better, to make it the best country out there and the thing that really came close to completely changing America for the better was the Erie Canal. Many people ask how did the Erie canal change America, well not only did it build one of the biggest most successful city in the world but it help us with trade and money. Many problems came along with the Erie Canal like the dangerous of making it as we had to use explosives. Other problems were the growth in population, population wasn’t a problem but because of such high population that came with the Erie Canal transportation was horrible but like many other thing the Erie canal solved its own problem. The Erie canal changed America for the better, growing is population, making it money, and building one of the most successful city in the world.
The Erie Canal was the next important aspect of the American System that provided a different way to import and export goods, especially helping regions like New York. The produce that was transferred on the canal was carried on small boats from farms to ports. When people wanted to get place, they were carried from port to port by large steamships. The Erie Canal lowered transportation costs, carried greater amounts of grain to Eastern Ports, and delivered coal from Pennsylvania to New York and New Jersey. This canal made a huge contribution to the wealth and significance of New York City, becoming the chief U.S. port and creating a large population surge in western New York. Since more people were moving into the state more towns and cities were created that also contributed to America’s economic growth by bringing in more businesses as well as goods and materials. The Erie Canal was a major aspect in bringing in new business and people into the United States and helped companies expand to a larger range of clients. With this new wealth that New York had, it could help other states grow by sharing resources and labor
acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. They declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. As a result Spain lost its control over the remains of its overseas empire. This war increase the idea of imperialist by gaining more power, crops, and land. Some could say that WWI was a war on imperialism, I would have to agree. The Europeans in the late 19th century increase to safeguard their access to markets and by return seizing military control on underdeveloped countries. To this day some would say the United States is still imperialistic but in a more economical way than the 19th century. Some would argue that the war on Iraq was to protect the oil supply the American economy depends on. Others world argue that we control a certain territories a specific level of power to give an influence
Imperialism is when a larger, more powerful nation takes control of smaller, weaker nations. The American idea is for freedom. As a nation the United States promotes the freedom of itself and other countries. America once fought for the freedom from a larger, more powerful nation, so why would the government want to go back on what this country was started on, which was freedom.
American Imperialism has been a part of United States history ever since the American Revolution. Imperialism is the practice by which large, powerful nations seek to expand and maintain control or influence on a weaker nation. Throughout the years, America has had a tendency to take over other people's land. America had its first taste of Imperialistic nature back when Columbus came to America almost five hundred years ago. He fought the inhabitants with no respect for their former way of life, took their land, and proceeded to enslave many of these Native Americans. The impact of the 1820's and 1830's on American Imperialism is undeniable. Although the military power was not fully there during this time period, their ideals and foreign
The Erie canal helped shape America. The Northwest was expanding and needed to get their products to the east coast. However, they seemed to be lacking a water source. Since the Erie canal was connected from the Hudson river to the Great lakes this made it possible for farmers to transport goods to the east coast without a problem. The Erie canal paved the pathway to a more stable America and an economic growth by allowing transportation, trade, exporting and importing goods to be more accessible through the United States. “This great work will immortalize the present authorities of N.Y. will bless their descendants with wealth and prosperity, and prove to mankind the superiority wisdom of employing the resources of industry in works of improvement rather than destruction.” The canal combined trade and transportation allowing for commerce to help speed up the Industrialization in the United States after the Erie canal was
Imperialism would be defined as “a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force” (Google). America is a perfect example of a country that imperialized in history. Imperialism was a great benefit for the U.S., but on the other hand, a huge burden for the Latin American countries. America intervened in Latin America for economic and political advantage. America made a ton of money in Latin America in the form of fruits that could be grown in Latin America, but not in America. Latin American countries were too underdeveloped, as in they weren’t industrialized and hadn’t imperialized, so they couldn’t possibly handle the military force of America. This allowed the U.S. to come in and basically bully the Latin American countries because they couldn’t retaliate. There weren’t many negatives for the U.S., except for social backlash from countries like Nicaragua or Costa Rica.
The United States experienced a period of growth and maturation during the twentieth century. Now, this is not to say that this was the only period of growth, but it was a significant time during which the United States began to establish its military force at an international level. By establishing itself during the twentieth century as one of the world’s largest superpowers, America grew to be respected by most of the world’s nations. America also grew to become much more active in foreign affairs, even in ones that had no relation to the nation. The United States began to look for chances to expand their country, as well as opportunities to benefit financially from these territories. Imperialism is the word that best describes the foreign
Throughout American History the U.S. has sought to expand its boundaries. This need increased greatly during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century with the start of the industrial revolution. This Expansion was a big departure from earlier attempts to expand the boundaries of the U.S. The needed for Natural resources forced the U.S to look for places that could supply them with the natural resources they needed and markets where they could sell their goods in. The need to imperialize caused the U.S. to look to foreign places to gain resources to better the nations industries.
But having an interoceanic canal wasn’t a new idea. Around the Spanish colonial period, the French attempted this and failed. The U.S. picked up on that failure, making one distinct change: instead of trying to do exactly as the French and build a sea level canal across Panama, we decided to construct a lock canal. And it was successful for several reasons. The U.S. used railroads to move dirt; the French let it pile up which led to landslides and mud, attracting mosquitos and malaria. The U.S. established medical innovations to keep yellow fever and malaria under control.