What is the role of the U.S. in the world today?

Did all Americans support the movement of the U.S. into the role of a world power?

U.S. ImperialismImperialism = Empire building

1890-1915

Imperialism:

• Policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories

Americans Debate Imperialism in the late 1800s and early 1900s

Two particular acquisitions inspire Americans to debate whether the U.S. should build an empire.

•Hawaii (1893)

•The Philippines (1898)

Let’s use historical documents to answer these questions!

Why did some Americans think the U.S. needed an empire?

What were the reasons used by Americans that argued against imperialism?

Is the statement FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

“We hold that the policy known as imperialism is hostile to liberty and tends toward militarism….We regret that it has become necessary in the land of Washington and Lincoln to reaffirm that all men, of whatever race or color, are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We maintain that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. We insist that the subjugation (conquest) of any people is ‘criminal aggression’ and open disloyalty to the distinctive principles of our Government.” Source: Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League, October 18, 1899

Is the statement FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

• “Just beyond the Philippines are China’s illimitable (limitless) markets….China is our natural customer…. [Britain, Germany and Russia] have moved nearer to China by securing permanent bases on her borders. The Philippines gives us a base at the door of all the East….They [the Filipinos] are a barbarous race, modified by three centuries of contact with a decadent race [the Spanish who colonized the Philippines]….It is barely possible that 1,000 men in all the archipelago are capable of self-government in the Anglo-Saxon sense….The Declaration [of Independence] applies only to people capable of self-government.” 

Source: Senator Alfred Beveridge (R-Indiana), From a speech in Congress on January 9, 1900

Is the statement FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

“The taking of the Philippines does not violate the principles of the Declaration of Independence, but will spread them among people who have never known liberty and who in a few years will be unwilling to leave the shelter of the American flag….To abandon those islands is to leave them to anarchy and to military dictatorships.”

Source: Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R-Massachusetts ), 1900

Is the statement FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

“I wanted the American eagle to go screaming into the Pacific…and spread its wings over the Philippines. But I have thought some more and I have seen that we do not intend to free, but to subjugate the people of the Philippines. We have gone there to conquer, not to redeem….I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land.”

Source: Mark Twain (author) from the New York Herald,1900

Why did some Americans think the U.S. needed an empire?

• Social Darwinism: Countries were competing to build empires and Americans did not want to be left behind (survival of the “fittest” country)

• Economic competition for raw materials• Create markets for U.S. manufactured goods• Strengthen the U.S. Military by establishing bases• Belief in cultural superiority; U.S. had a duty to

spread democracy, Christianity and “civilization” to inferior peoples

Rev. Josiah Strong—Protestant Americans had a Christian duty to colonize other lands to spread Christianity, superior technology, medicine and government! (“White Man’s Burden”)—Racial arguments used that the Anglo-Saxon race is “superior” to other races

What reasons did Americans use to argue against imperialism?

• Violated American principles such as liberty and equality

• Anti-democratic—natives have no say in their own government

• Many of the places colonized by the U.S. do not want us there

• Military force and excessive spending are often required to hold the colonies

• Racism—America already has racial issues and adding more nonwhites will increase racial tensions

Let’s practice what you know about arguments for and against U.S. imperialism

by analyzing political cartoons.

We can do the first one together as practice. We will start with a quick review about how

to analyze a political cartoon.

Analyzing Political Cartoons

1) Use your prior knowledge of the historical setting to help you understand the issue addressed in the cartoon.

2) Consider the source (author, date, etc.)

3) Look for “clues” used by the cartoonist to get his/her message across. Common techniques include:

A. Size/exaggeration

B. Body posture or facial expressions

C. Labeling

D. Symbolism

E. Irony

Source: http://www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/pschmid1/school-begins-lg.htm

Is the cartoon FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

Teacher Example

Is the cartoon FOR

American Imperialism? Why or why

not?

Is the cartoon FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

Is the cartoon FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

Is the cartoon FOR American Imperialism? Why or why not?

Review:

• Why did the U.S. want to become an empire?

• How did the U.S. justify the colonization of other lands?

• What were the benefits/consequences of U.S. colonization?

Which side of the debate do you think has the best arguments?

• Was it appropriate for the U.S. to build an empire in the 19 th and 20th centuries?

• Write a position paragraph that explains your answer to the question. You may use the arguments found in your guided notes to help you answer this question. Your essay should include:

•  

• Topic sentence: (1 point)

• Introduced the issue (U.S. imperialism during late 1800s/early 1900s)

• Declared a position (Was or was not appropriate)

•  

• Argument: (3 points each reason=6 points)

• Clearly gave TWO reasons to argue your position

• Thoroughly supported each reason by explaining why imperialism was good/bad

•  

• Clincher/Closing: (1 point)

• Ended the paragraph by connecting it back to the topic sentence or by summarizing the main arguments

•  

• Writing Mechanics: (2 points)

• Complete sentences

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Wrote in the third person (no “I” “you” “we” “our” “us” “my”)

•  

Position Paragraph (10 points)

THE END