"In strict confidence... I should welcome almost any war, I think this country needs one." declared Teddy Roosevelt in a letter to his friend, 1897. Continuing he wrote, "To prepare for war is the most effectual means to promote peace... No triumph of peace can equal the armed triumph of war." It was clear Roosevelt desired war and for only one reason - imperialism. Him and his Washington imperialist friends manipulated the press, other politicians, popular figureheads, the spirit of America, and even President McKinley to obtain their goals.
They based their ideas on Manifest Destiny. Dubbed in 1840, this expansionist impulse rose again in a new form - America's global destiny. Politicians watched as other nations began collecting colonies in the Pacific and North Africa and quickly determined America must do the same. If America is to be a great nation, it must control a great empire. The idea of this reincarnated Manifest Destiny was molded to ideologically benefit all Americans.
Native Americans flee from the allegorical represe...
This image depicts the Territorial acquisitions of...
United StatesThe business leaders in corporate circles were told that prosperity required overseas markets. The small farmers were told the same. The more demand, the greater the profits. In 1890, Secretary of State James Blaine "warned in 1890 that United States productivity was 'outrunning the demands of the home market." The military-minded were also told they would benefit. According to The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890), Alfred T. Mahan determined a large navy means power and required naval bases abroad. Mahan supported the movement to acquire foreign territories and persuaded many others to join. The devoutly religious supported the movement as well, seeing it as an opportunity to spread religion through missionaries in foreign territories.
As soon as the majority of Americans were in support of the idea, it took off. The first focus was an...