In the late 1800s and early 1900s the majority of American people supported a policy of imperialism. Imperialism is the practice of one country extending its control over the territory, political system, or economic life of another country. Political opposition to this foreign domination is called "anti-imperialism."
The U.S. had followed basic policy of isolationism since the War of 1812. The U.S. had concentrated on the Civil War, winning the West, and the Industrial Revolution. There were some exceptions to policy of isolation right after the Civil War and included: "The Secretary of State Seward negotiated purchase of Alaska and the annexation of Midway Island" and "France forced out of Mexico as the U.S. considered France to be violating the Monroe Doctrine. The other great nations of the word were engaged in imperialism. Africa, Asia, and the Pacific islands were the targets of imperialism. Imperialistic nations included: Great Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Japan, Russia and Italy.
Africa
The U.S. Capitol after the burning of Washington d...
United StatesSome other reasons for american imperialism was: the Economic need for new markets--colonies usually traded with the mother country. The concept of the "White Man's Burden, the belief that American civilization was superior and it needed to be exported to "inferior" nations whether they wanted it or not. The need for naval bases as Mahan's Influence of Sea Power on History becomes an influential book. The application of Social Darwinism to international relations in that the "Survival of the fittest" applied to nations. And "Yellow Journalism" or the fight for newspaper circulation.
A positive effect is seen in document one called "Modern Progressive Nations," it shows how the larger nations gave to the smaller colonies. The nations built them roads, canals, and railways. Showed them the telegraph, newspaper, established schools for them, gave them the blessing of their civilization, and overall made...