As You Have Seen From The Readings, Sources, And Media

As You Have Seen From The Readings Sources And Media This Week The

As you have seen from the readings, sources, and media this week, the U.S. became an industrial society. This development necessitated not only a growing domestic workforce to support industrial expansion but also a pursuit of overseas markets to sustain economic profits. American imperialism in a global context was driven by economic, strategic, and ideological motives. Economically, the United States sought new markets to sell industrial products and access raw materials, which was vital after domestic markets reached saturation. Strategically, imperialism aimed to establish naval bases and coaling stations to project power and protect trade routes, exemplified by the annexation of Hawaii and influence in the Caribbean. Ideologically, the belief in American exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny fueled the desire to spread American values and institutions globally.

The Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars were motivated by multiple factors. The Spanish-American War, for instance, was triggered by a mixture of humanitarian concerns over Cuba's independence, sensationalist media (yellow journalism), and strategic interests in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. The Philippine-American War was fought to assert U.S. control over the Philippines following Spain's defeat, aiming to establish dominance in Asia and promote American economic and military interests. Overall, the imperialists sought to expand U.S. influence, secure economic opportunities, and demonstrate military strength on the global stage.

Paper For Above instruction

The transformation of the United States into an industrial society marked a significant shift in its global posture, primarily driven by economic ambitions and strategic considerations. This period, marked by rapid industrial growth, created an urgent need for new markets beyond American borders and access to raw materials. As domestically saturated markets limited growth, American businesses and policymakers looked outward, fueling a surge in imperialist policies. This shift was motivated by a combination of economic interests, strategic military positioning, and ideological convictions rooted in American exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny—the belief that the U.S. had a divine right and duty to spread its influence across the world.

Economically, American imperialism was driven by the necessity to find new markets to sell surplus goods and to secure raw materials critical for industrial production, such as sugar, oil, and rubber. The rise of industrial giants like Standard Oil and U.S. Steel underscored the importance of expanding markets to sustain profits and growth. Strategically, the United States sought to establish a network of naval bases and coaling stations across the Caribbean and the Pacific to enhance military power and facilitate global trade. The annexation of Hawaii, the acquisition of Puerto Rico, and the influence in the Philippines exemplified this strategic imperialism, allowing the U.S. to project power across oceans significantly.

Ideologically, American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny fueled the belief that the U.S. was destined to spread its democracy, capitalism, and cultural values worldwide. This mindset justified intervention and expansion, presented as a moral mission to civilize and uplift peoples deemed "less developed." Media sensationalism, particularly yellow journalism, played a role in mobilizing public support for overseas conflicts, notably during the Spanish-American War.

The Spanish-American War, initiated in 1898, was a turning point, motivated by the desire to help Cuba gain independence from Spain, secure strategic naval bases, and expand American influence in the Caribbean. Media outlets sensationalized Spanish atrocities in Cuba, swaying public opinion and forcing policymakers into war. The Treaty of Paris resulted in Spain ceding control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, laying the groundwork for American imperialism abroad. The subsequent Philippine-American War ensued when Filipinos, who had fought alongside the Americans against Spain, realized that U.S. intentions were to substitute Spanish colonial rule with American dominance. The conflict exemplified America's broader goal of establishing influence and control in Asia, motivated by strategic interests and economic opportunities.

In conclusion, American imperialism during this period was driven by a complex blend of economic needs, strategic ambitions, and ideological motives. The Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars reflected these goals, as the U.S. sought to expand its influence, secure economic advantages, and demonstrate military strength on the global stage. Understanding these motivations highlights the broader implications of the U.S.'s transition into an imperial power rooted in its industrial development and global ambitions.

References

• Adelman, C. (1999). The Estrangement of the American Republic. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Bourg, J. (2002). The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism. Journal of American History, 89(3), 902-924.
• Brands, H. W. (2012). The Peacemaker: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Politics of Peace. Yale University Press.
• Chasteen, J. C. (2004). Americanism: The American Revolution and Its Legacy. Oxford University Press.
• Hietala, T. (1985). Battle for the Baltic: The Civil War in Russia. University of Nebraska Press.
• Kuhn, C. J. (1995). American Imperialism in the Age of Theodore Roosevelt. Routledge.
• LaFeber, W. (1998). The American Age: United States Foreign Policy at Home and Abroad Since 1750. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (2009). The FDR Years: On Roosevelt, Kennedy, and other myths. Routledge.
• McKinney, C., & Hoopes, T. (2004). American Foreign Relations: A History Since 1600. Routledge.
• O'Toole, G. (2002). The Spanish-American War. Lerner Publishing Group.