What was the United States trying to accomplish with the international policy of imperialism?

Question

during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? What were the advantages/disadvantages?

This was a question in my homework and I really can't find the information as I do not have a text book due to insufficient funds so if you can please answer...it will be highly appreciative

Answer 1

The United States did not emerge as a major world power until the end of War World II. In the late 18th they were just trying to establish their military powers. The U.S. had already had established themselves as an industrial nation in the mid-18th century and so they were trying to set up major trading with Asia.

Answer 2

Obtain new markets, spread influence, and of course $$$.

Answer 3

The United States never had a policy of imperialism. Imperialism comes from the word emperor. The United States has never had an emperor.

If you're referring to why the US is so visible in the world than that is a different question. Europe, in their infinite wisdom has allowed 2 world wars to start and did nothing to avoid them. One of them led to the decimation of over 6 million Jews. So, the United States learning from the mistakes of Europe will not let a tyrannical dictator try to take over the world again.

Just imagine if the US let Europe handle the Russians in the 50’s. Just imagine what would happen if the US let Europe handle Muslim Extremists.

No back to your original question. Imperialism refers to the taking over countries. With the exception of the American Revolution, Mexican American War and Hawaii, the United States has never taken over a country for the purposes of keeping it. If that was the case Puerto Rico and Cuba would both have been the 51st and 52nd states years ago.

Answer 4

The spread of Christianity, to a small degree- Also, the spread of Democracy (think Red Scare and the Vietnam war), also, to steal... um, I mean... capitalize on the resources of other countries.

Answer 5

imperialism (ĭm-pîr'ē-ə-lĭz'əm) pronunciation:

   1. The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.

   2. The system, policies, or practices of such a government.

It has nothing to do with Emperors (although the phrase may have originated from the time of the Roman Emperors).

The U.S. can be accused of the practice because of it's activities in Hawaii, Philipines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Panama, Nicaragua and it's "Open door policy" in China. Any where it "Annexed", used force of arms, or stacked the local population with settlers or encouraged it's trade empires to subvert has been used to further Imperialism. Political pressure on Governments was practiced then and now. A puppet is still a puppet even when the motives are benign.