American Imperialism

By Nicole Smith and Rhonda Rollins

“Every living thing is a sort of imperialist, seeking to transform as much as possible of its environment into itself…When we compare the (present) human population of the globe with … that of former times, we see that “chemical imperialism” has been … the main end to which human intelligence has been devoted. (Russell, Bertrand).”

Have you ever wondered how American imperialism started? From the beginning of the Spanish-American War to the end of World War I, many policies and tactics were developed to assist the U.S. in extending its political and economical powers all over the world. Imperialism started with colonial rule, which is the control of one power over a dependent area of people (http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/). One strategic tactic used to gain control over weaker countries was dollar diplomacy, this was the act of using money to conduct international negotiations. If these tactics failed or there was resistance from the opposing side, occasional use of military force would come into play. The use of military force would lead to specific wars and uprisings. Contributing to these wars was yellow journalism. Media wars caused by sensationalized stories, gradually shaped public opinions in the U.S. These newspapers were great “instigators” during war time. By the beginning of the 19th century, the United States had gained control over Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. America had emerged as the world’s most powerful nation, leaving many people to debate if they were in favor of imperialism or against it.

Reference:

Quote by Bertrand Russell: http://www.finestquotes.com/select_quote-category-Imperialism-page-0.htm

Jones, Created Equal Volume 2, sixth edition

Colonial Rule

By Dorothy Umoh

Colonialism takes place when a certain nation or group of people move into another’s territory, takes possession of the land and derives economic gain from there at the expense of the original occupant. Colonialism has been the fate of the American empire since its inception and can be examined in two phases. The first phase occurred when English settlers who later became Americans physically colonized the New World by invading Indian territories and forcibly converting them into English colonies. The thirteen colonies included; Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, the Carolinas, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey and Georgia ( Leigh, 2001-2010). Colonization was intermixed with slavery and slavery with racism. Eventually, America established a society that placed whites above Latinos, black freed slaves, and the reservation dwelling Native American Indians. The hierarchy would influence America’s relationship to the colonized nations in the next phase of American Imperialism (Mann, pp.1-14).

In the second phase, America is dealing with virtual colonization in which America attempts to control its neighbors in Central America and the Philippines. The war between the U.S. and Spain started after the latter sank the U.S. military ship, Maine, at Havana harbor in 1898. At the end of the Spanish-American war, the U.S. acquired the following colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rica, the Philippines and other smaller Pacific Islands. Mann states that these regions were considered “nonincorporated territories,” because the ruling class white Americans did not want to inherent any peoples of “lower races” than themselves (p. 16). As a result, American colonialism was hindered by racism. The American imperialist rulers such as President McKinley did not want to admit the Cubans, the Filipinos and the Negroes in the new colonies as citizens of the United States. This second phase of colonialism in the U.S was also hindered by the fact that there was no mass interest in American citizens to want to settle in the new colonies. Fairly new at this type of colonization, the U.S. established its own government in the territories without consulting the local people. This brought about a three-year anti-colonialism battle towards the U.S, by their former supporters, Cuba and the Philippines. The war stirred up protest back home in the United States resulting in the era of anti-imperialism spearheaded by such individuals like, Mark Twain. This pushed American imperialists to adopt an indirect rule in the colonies giving most of the power to the local elites to rule themselves. The colonies were now considered temporary colonies with a view towards independence once Americans decided they were mature enough to be accorded their own independence. During the second phase of American imperialism racism became permanently ingrained into the fabric of the American society. Whites were placed above Latinos and Filipinos who were themselves placed above the blacks in the racial hierarchy. The savages occupied the bottom of the ladder (Mann, pp. 13-26).

Map retrieved from
http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/1483/1518969/DIVI090.jpg

References
Mann, M. (2008). American empires: Past and present. University of California-Los Angeles.
Retrieved from http://libproxy.uta.edu:2066/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ahl&AN=32772295&site=ehost-live.

Leigh, K. (2010). History of the United States. Retrieved from, http://www.usahistory.info/colonial/government.html

Dollar Diplomacy

By Katrice Rivera

Bailouts have been around for quite some time. Most recently was the bailout in 2009, but there was another bailout in 1912. In 1912, President William Howard Taft rolled out the Dollar Diplomacy. “The Dollar Diplomacy involved arrangements by which insolvent foreign governments gained access to U.S. private bank loans in return for direct U.S. financial supervision or for acting as part of an economic consortium of great powers. Often U.S. financial experts tied to the loan process assumed the tasks of fiscal reorganization and administrative management within the client country, while U.S. government emissaries orchestrated the arrangements. Imposed fiscal reforms included adoption of the gold standard, "scientific" tax reform, and administrative rationalization” (Doenecke, 2003). In discovering this, it appears to me that the description of money and power are interchangeable. In order to gain control over another territory by having the upper hand can be considered imperialism. On the other hand, the bartering of businesses should benefit all regions involved. For instance, expanding McDonalds to Japan is an advantage for everyone.

This image is an illustration of Howard Taft leading people like sheep tend to follow a leader. The name "Howard" is of an English origin and means "sheep herder". Many people felt that Howard Taft was a one-man sheep herder leading people, whether the direction they were going was right or wrong. (http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com)

Image retrieved from: http://paw.princeton.edu/issues/2008/09/24/pages/2698/PoliticalCartoon4.jpg

References
"Dollar Diplomacy." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1999. 250-252. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 26June 2010.
Document URL
http://libproxy.uta.edu:2430/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3406400252&v=2.1&u=txshracd2597&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w

Doenecke, Justus D. "Dollar Diplomacy." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 3. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 70-71. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 26 June 2010.
Document URL
http://libproxy.uta.edu:2430/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3401801249&v=2.1&u=txshracd2597&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w

Murphy, John F., Jr. "Imperialism." Encyclopedia of Politics. Ed. Rodney P. Carlisle. Vol. 2: The Right. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Reference, 2005. 695-698. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 26 June 2010.
Document URL
http://libproxy.uta.edu:2430/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3452800356&v=2.1&u=txshracd2597&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w

Specific Wars and Uprisings

By Kimberly Wilkes

Retrieved from http://www.emersonkent.com/wars_and_battles_in_history/world_war_I.htm


Opposing opinions naturally give rise to human desire to overcome obstacles. The determining factors lie in the opponent’s drive, will, intellect, negotiating skills and ability in strategic warfare. One of the variables that brought about uprising in America was a struggle to grow as a nation in diversity of cultures and willingness to change. However, in order to advance and be successful, upheaval had to occur, both internally and externally. America was not the only government willing to outstretch its limits or comfort zone, for other global governments all had endeavors to expand and make their stakes of claim, creating lasting unions, bonds of protection, trade, and development. America watched other countries create relationships that they too were capable of accomplishing. World War I was one of the specific wars that caused a shift in dominion, thrusting America forward, with Germany being a fierce competitor and threat. Other significant participants were France, Spain, and England. A consequence of growth and warfare will always incorporate an economic loss. But above finance is the loss of lives. The Great War of 1917 brought this country closer, mainly due to restrictions of anti-war critics. Although the rising death toll fueled Americans anger, it also strengthened a nation’s unity and support. The burden for peace was upon this great nation, once again creating new endeavors of growth and greatness.

References
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/dailylifesocialcustoms/u/WarsandBattles.htm
http://www.quinterna.org/lingue/english/articles_en/turning_point.htm
http://www.emersonkent.com/wars_and_battles_in_history/world_war_I.htm
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/index.html

Yellow Journalism

By Tanja Wancewicz

What is Yellow Journalism? Yellow journalism means to exploit or exaggerate the news to attract readers. (http://www.answers.com/topic/yellow-journalism) The stories can be misleading to the public which can help shape the public’s opinion. In the 1800’s publisher’s used yellow journalism to sell papers. There were two papers, The World owned by Joseph Pulitzer and The New York Journal owned by Randolph Hearst that help reshape reporting. These two men wanted power and they wanted to have influence so they started coming up with headlines that would draw in the public. The papers would have catchy headlines and stories about sex and sin. People loved to read sensational stories. In the late 1800’s papers where easy to print, the presses could print thousands of papers over night which led to easy circulation. There were cartoonist who would draw cartoons and they would be printed in the paper to exploit an article.
Below is an example of a drawing titled “The Yellow Kid” by Robert Outcault.
This was published first in the paper called The World.

Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/spanamer/yellow.htm

When Hearst published this cartoon in the New York Journal he used a new non smear yellow ink, and with the significance of this cartoon picture the critics came up with the term “yellow journalism.”

The papers that used yellow journalism sold more papers than the papers who believed in delivering the truth. As time went on people stopped buying the papers because they were tired of the “lies”. In 1910 the papers sales dropped off significantly. People were not buying the papers. Did this mean the end to yellow journalism? I think yellow journalism never really went away. We still have the catchy headlines, distorted facts in a story and the use of cartoons, mostly political cartoons to get people’s attention. Then there is the tabloid, they use catchy headlines to sell magazine and their articles distort all the actual facts.

References
http://www.answers.com/topic/yellow-journalism
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/spanamer/yellow.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Yellow---What-You-Didnt-Know&id=4251130
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073526142/363043/IR_chapter_1.pdf

Arguments in favor or against Imperialism

By Dawn Wilson

Interventions into the political affairs of foreign countries and the internationalizing of American markets were not new ideas to the leaders of the late 19th century America (Zinn, H., 1980), but during the latter 1800’s, the United States took a much grander step into the policies of Imperialism. American leaders in favor of expanding the United States sphere of control throughout Latin American and the Pacific regions realized the lucrative advantages of foreign investments. Increased access to foreign markets afforded profits for exporting, and resources from distant lands provided more materials for US manufacturing (Jones, et al). Profits could be made in spite of the depression of 1893(Jones, et. Al). American leaders had long watched European nations rush to control foreign markets. Theodore Roosevelt perpetrated the view of the “American manifest destiny” (Jones, et al), and thus the lure of expansionist policies had begun. But not all Americans favored these polices. Many such as Mark Twain recognized the dangers of Imperialism and founded the “Anti- Imperialist League” to counter it. Thousands of Cubans, Hawaiians, and Filipinos died fighting to retain control of their lands. Continuing throughout the 20th century, America has involved itself in numerous foreign conflicts to varying degrees of success and tremendous loss of lives (Jones, et al). Today, we still see overseas policies with a suggestion of Imperialism. Military regime changes in foreign countries are often touted as promotion of democracy, but are closely imbedded with American economic interests.

Description: In the back of the classroom students representing California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Alaska are quietly reading. In the front row are boys representing the Philippines, Porto (sic) Rico, Cuba, and Hawai'i looking as if they would rather not be there.
Courtesy of the Hawai'i State Archives
Retrieved from http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/~soma/cartoons/school.html



References
Jones, J., Wood, P.H., Borstelmann, T., May, E.T., and Ruiz, Vicki (2008). Created Equal: A social and political history of the United States. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Zinn, H. (1980). A people’s history of the United States. Retrieved on 6/12/2010 from http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnempire12.htm

Conclusion

By Nicole Smith

Imperialism was the most powerful force in our world history that has helped mold continents while dominating foreign people and destroying entire civilizations. Imperialism was a result of many contributing factors such as colonial rule, dollar diplomacy, specific wars and uprisings, and yellow journalism. These factors combined were all vital roles in creating America into the world’s most powerful nation.

“America’s rise to world power occurred in the fifty-year period between the 1870-1920. The Spanish-American War may be seen as the “point of no return,” the foreign policy event that conclusively committed us to imperial strength and a global presence. Our expansion overseas was fueled by desires: economic markets, raw materials, coaling stations and military bases. But underlying our expansionist policies was a philosophy of ethnocentrism, racism and a duty based on a perception of national superiority. The roots of this thinking have never fully been eliminated from the national consciousness. That is why vigilance against policies rooted in bias and prejudice can never be relaxed.” (http://www.spanamwar.com/imperialism.htm)

“American factories are making more than the American people can use; American soil is producing more than they can consume. Fate has written our policy for us; the trade of the world must and shall be ours…. We will establish trading posts throughout the world as distributing posts for American products. We will cover the ocean with our merchant marine. We will build a navy to the measure of our greatness. Great colonies, governing themselves, flying our flag and trading with us, will grow about our posts of trade…And American law, American order, American civilization, and the American flag will plant themselves on shores hitherto bloody and benighted…” (quote by: Senator Albert Brevedige, 1889).

References:
http://www.notable-quotes.com/i/imperialism_quotes.html
http://www.spanamwar.com/imperialism.htm
http://www.prairiepride.org/teachertools/staffpdf/foreign%20policy%20documents.pdf