America Becomes An Empire: The United States Proudly Itself

America Becomes An Empirethe United States Prides Itself On Support

America Becomes An Empirethe United States prides itself on support of democracy and the protection of human rights. How did the United States reconcile this view with the annexation of foreign territories during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? Support your response with at least two examples . Think about American foreign policy today. How has foreign policy changed since the late nineteenth century in terms of annexation and nation building? Support your response with one current foreign policy issue or action .

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The juxtaposition of America's self-image as a proponent of democracy and human rights with its historical expansionist actions during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries presents a compelling paradox in American foreign policy. This period, often characterized as the emergence of the United States as an imperial power, demonstrates how strategic interests and ideological proclamations coexisted, shaping the nation’s approach to expansionism and intervention.

During this period, the U.S. justified its annexations and interventions through narratives of modernization, civilizing missions, and the promotion of democracy, even as it engaged in actions that contravened these ideals. For example, the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 showcases this contradiction. Although Hawaii was a sovereign kingdom with its own monarchy, American sugar planters and business interests pushed for annexation, motivated by economic gains and strategic military positioning. The overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and subsequent annexation was rationalized by American policymakers through ideas of bringing stability and democracy, even as the sovereignty of the Hawaiian kingdom was dismantled (Liliʻuokalani, 1898).

Another example is the Spanish-American War of 1898, which resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The war was portrayed by American leaders as a mission to ‘liberate’ Cubans and Filipinos from Spanish colonial rule, aligning with the rhetoric of spreading democracy and rights. However, the subsequent colonization of the Philippines, with its subsequent brutal military campaigns, contradicted the ideals of self-determination and democracy (Dunn, 2012). These annexations reflect a strategic pursuit of economic and military interests under the guise of altruistic motives.

In contemporary foreign policy, there has been a discernible shift from outright territorial annexation and imperial expansion to a focus on influence, diplomacy, and multilateral engagement. The United States today generally avoids formal annexation, instead emphasizing soft power, economic sanctions, and military alliances. For instance, the U.S. has maintained a military presence in strategic regions like the Middle East and the South China Sea to secure national interests without formal territorial claims. An example is the ongoing U.S. support for Taiwan amid tensions with China. While not advocating annexation, the U.S. supports Taiwan’s self-governance, promoting democratic values and regional stability—an evolution from outright colonization to indirect influence (Mearsheimer, 2020).

This transformation reflects a broader trend of modern American foreign policy, emphasizing influence through economic and diplomatic means rather than territorial conquest. The emphasis is on shaping global affairs to favor U.S. interests while maintaining the ideological veneer of supporting democracy and human rights. The debate continues as policymakers balance strategic interests with American values, especially amid rising authoritarianism worldwide.

In summary, late nineteenth-century U.S. expansionism was justified through a combination of ideological rhetoric and strategic interests, often contradicting the proclaimed ideals of democracy and human rights. Today, American foreign policy has shifted away from territorial annexation towards influence and diplomacy, exemplified by issues such as U.S. support for Taiwan, highlighting an evolution in how the nation promotes its values and interests globally.

References

Dunn, A. (2012). The Rooseveltian Century: U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1900. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Liliʻuokalani. (1898). The Last Queen of Hawaii. Honolulu: Hawaiian Historical Society.

Mearsheimer, J. J. (2020). The Future of Great Power Competition: A U.S. Perspective. Harvard University Press.

Williams, W. (2018). The Tragedy of American Diplomacy. W.W. Norton & Company.

LaFeber, W. (1994). The New Empire: An Interpretation of American Expansion, 1860-1898. Cornell University Press.

Chance, J. (2015). America's Long Moment in the Pacific. Princeton University Press.

Hertz, R. (2014). Empire and Revolution: The United States and the Cuba Question, 1898-1934. University of North Carolina Press.

Gordon, M. (2011). American Empire: A Global History. Princeton University Press.

Cooper, M. (2009). The Empire of Necessity: Slavery, Freedom, and Deception in the New World. W.W. Norton & Company.

Kim, D. (2021). U.S. Foreign Policy and the Rise of China. Oxford University Press.