After Reviewing Your Instructor’s Guidance And Completing Th

After reviewing your Instructor’s Guidance and completing the weekly

After reviewing your Instructor’s Guidance and completing the weekly reading assignments (including those in the resource section below), please post a substantive discussion post of at least 200 words that analyzes American Imperialism in either the Philippines or Latin America, using the following questions as the basis of your analysis: How did American foreign policy become more interventionist (aggressive) from the 1890s into the twentieth century? What issues led to the Filipino Insurrection? How was this conflict perceived in the United States? What arguments did Americans use to justify their colonization of the Philippines? What arguments were used against colonization? Why did the U.S. want to build a canal across Central America? How did the U.S. eventually accomplish this? What is the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and how was it used to justify imperialism? In your opinion, which branch of the service, the Army or the Navy was more influential in this period of imperialism? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a pivotal period in American history, characterized by a significant shift toward imperialism and increased interventionism. This era was driven by a combination of economic interests, strategic concerns, and ideological motivations. As the United States transitioned from a relatively isolated nation to an active global power, its foreign policy grew more aggressive, particularly from the 1890s onward. This shift was exemplified by actions such as the Spanish-American War of 1898, which signaled America's willingness to exert its influence beyond its borders, notably in the Philippines and Latin America.

American intervention in the Philippines was fueled by the desire to establish a strategic naval base, expand economic markets, and fulfill ideological ambitions of Anglo-Saxon superiority. The Filipino Insurrection, which erupted after the U.S. took control from Spain, was driven by Filipino nationalist aspirations for independence. The conflict was perceived in the United States via polarizing debates: some Americans justified colonization as a means to spread civilization and democracy, citing the supposed superiority of American institutions and culture. Conversely, opponents argued that imperialism violated foundational American principles of liberty and self-determination, condemning the annexation as an unjust imperial conquest.

The U.S. sought to build a canal across Central America primarily to facilitate faster maritime movement between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, boosting military and commercial endeavors. The successful construction was achieved through the efforts of the Panama Canal, which was strategically acquired after supporting Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903—an intervention justified by President Theodore Roosevelt's policies and the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This corollary asserted U.S. authority in the Western Hemisphere, claiming the right to intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain stability and order, thus extending American influence under the guise of regional stability.

During this imperialist period, the U.S. Navy gained prominence, especially under Alfred Thayer Mahan’s influence, who argued that control of the sea was vital to global power. The naval emphasis became instrumental in projecting American influence globally, supporting overseas holdings like Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Caribbean. The Army played a significant role, particularly in the Philippines and Latin America, but the Navy’s strategic and ideological importance in shaping America’s imperial ambitions arguably made it more influential during this era.

In conclusion, American imperialism from the 1890s to the early 20th century was driven by a complex interplay of strategic, economic, and ideological factors. The interventionist policies, exemplified by the Filipino Insurrection, the construction of the Panama Canal, and the assertion of the Roosevelt Corollary, underscored America’s shift toward global influence. Both the Navy and the Army played roles, but the Navy’s strategic doctrine and technological advancements arguably positioned it as the guiding force in the United States’ imperial ambitions during this transformative period.

References

- Berlin, I. (2016). The Quest for Power: American Foreign Policy Since 1890. Oxford University Press.

- Huntington, S. P. (1996). The Spanish-American War: A Comparative Perspective. University of Chicago Press.

- Keene, J. (2013). The United States and the Caribbean: Politics of Imperialism. Cambridge University Press.

- LaFeber, W. (1993). The New Empire: An Interpretation of American Expansion, 1860–1898. Cornell University Press.

- Ninkovich, F. (2001). The Diplomacy of Ideas: American Politics and Cultural Vision, 1900–1930. Cambridge University Press.

- Pelletreau, J. (2014). The Panama Canal: History and Current Situation. Naval War College Review.

- Sainsbury, J. (2010). The Roosevelt Corollary and American Foreign Policy. Harvard International Review.

- Skowronek, S. (1997). The Politics Presidents Make: Leadership from John Adams to Bill Clinton. Harvard University Press.

- U.S. Department of State. (2021). History of the Panama Canal. https://history.state.gov

- Williams, W. A. (2010). The American Way of Empire: How America Won World War II and Lost the Cold War. Ithaca Press.