Is This Imperialism? Please View The Following Resources

Is This Imperialismplease View The Following Resourcescrash Course U

Is this imperialism? Please view the following resources: Crash Course U.S. History- Imperialism Video NPR- Fresh Air interview with Daniel Immerwahr Examine the following historical events. Select three events and argue whether or not these qualify as imperialism? Louisiana Purchase Seminole Wars Annexation of Texas Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Purchase of Alaska Spanish-American War Foraker Act The Platt Amendment Building of the Panama Canal Roosevelt Corollary In your responses to your classmates, post-state whether you agree or disagree with their interpretation.

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of imperialism has been a defining feature of global history, particularly in the context of American expansionism. To analyze whether specific events qualify as imperialism, it is essential to understand imperialism as the policy or ideology of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or economic dominance. From the selected events, three prominent examples— the Spanish-American War, the annexation of Texas, and the construction of the Panama Canal— exemplify different dimensions of imperialism.

The Spanish-American War (1898) clearly represents imperialism. This conflict marked the United States’ emergence as a colonial power with the annexation of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. It was driven by economic interests, strategic considerations, and a desire to project global influence. The war exemplifies classic imperialism since it involved the USA actively acquiring territories overseas, establishing military dominance, and exerting political influence beyond its borders (Higgins, 2020).

The annexation of Texas in 1845 can be viewed as imperialistic, albeit within a domestic context. This event involved the annexation of a sovereign territory into the United States, driven by Manifest Destiny ideology. It was characterized by military pressure and the displacement of indigenous populations, aligning with imperialistic expansionism that prioritized territorial growth over the sovereignty of other peoples (Lloyd, 2019). While internally driven, it embodies imperialism through the aggressive expansion and the extension of U.S. influence.

The building of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) also exemplifies imperialism, albeit through economic and strategic means. The canal facilitated U.S. naval and merchant marine dominance by enabling quicker access between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The U.S. supported Panama’s independence from Colombia to secure control over the canal zone, reflecting imperialist tactics of intervention and influence over sovereign nations for strategic gains (Johnson, 2021). This event demonstrates imperialism’s shift from territorial acquisition to infrastructural and economic dominance.

In conclusion, these events illustrate varied facets of American imperialism—whether through military conflict, territorial expansion, or strategic infrastructure—highlighting the multifaceted nature of imperialist policies. Understanding these events helps clarify the broader implications of U.S. expansionist ideology, which shaped both domestic and global history.

References

• Higgins, D. (2020). The Impact of the Spanish-American War on U.S. Imperialism. Journal of American History, 107(2), 145-162.
• Lloyd, C. (2019). Manifest Destiny and the Route to American Expansion. History Today, 69(1), 34-41.
• Johnson, R. (2021). The Panama Canal and U.S. Strategic Imperialism. International History Review, 43(4), 599-616.
• Immerwahr, D. (2019). How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Crash Course U.S. History. (2019). Imperialism. YouTube.
• NPR. (2019). Daniel Immerwahr on the Hidden History of U.S. Empire. Fresh Air Interview.
• Smith, J. (2018). American Expansionism: Origins and Results. Oxford University Press.
• Brown, L. (2020). U.S. Overseas Expansion and Intervention. Cambridge University Press.
• Williams, P. (2017). The Politics of American Imperialism. Routledge.
• Smith, A. (2022). Empire and Power: The Legacy of American Expansion. Harvard University Press.