Student Essay on Reasons for U.S. Imperialism in the 19th Century

The most important reason why the United States wanted to imperialize in the 1890s was for economic benefits. This is the most significant reason for our aggressive policy of expansion with political, economic, and military control as major objectives. We were looking for markets, which is the easiest way to colonize. In addition, investment opportunities like produce in Hawaii and certain mines in Philippines were noticed and desired. In Henry Cabot Lodge's "Our Blundering Foreign Policy," he reaffirms this point saying, "In the interests of our commerce and of our fullest development we should build the Nicaraguan canal, and ... for the sake of our commercial supremacy in the Pacific, we should control Hawaii and Samoa." The overseas territories were teeming with a cheap labor force, this would allow American goods to be made at a decreased cost. Finally, these foreign lands were loaded with raw materials that could easily be used in American manufacturing.

The tariff, the soft money/hard money debates in America at this time were downright boring, America was a big, wealthy nation, and we needed an objective to put that energy. The hope, exictement, and exotic places that follow imperialism all add to the adventure that America was seeking. In Walter Hines Page's, "The War with Spain and After," he alludes to the "old outdoor spirit" that "for a thousand years has done the adventurous and outdoors tasks of the world." Yellow journalism in the form of newspapers especially jumped on the adventure bandwagon and increased their profits while increasing the public support for imperialism in America. Hearst and Pullitzer were two editors for popular newspapers.

Nationalism also contributed to the outbreak of imperialism in America. The attitude, "we're as good as European nations" was amplified more than ever by the jingoists, or extreme nationalists. Echoing this sentiment, Josiah Strong's "Our Country," recognizes the Anglo-Saxon advantage on the west shores of the Atlantic.

As America sought to grow, America also sought to protect its overseas territories, and, more importantly, its existing territories. By acquiring Alaska, the Alleutian Islands, Midway Island, Hawaii, Guam, and Samoa, the perimeter of America extended. This issue of national security as a root for imperialism was mentioned in Henry Cabot Lodge's "Our Blundering Foreign Policy."

Religious reasons also propelled imperialism. Missionaries sought to convert the inhabitants of foreign lands by convincing them that, "what we have is better." It's a new zeal that actually got the imperialism ball rolling. In fact, missionaries made the first contact with Hawaii in the 1850s to Christianize the islands, and at this time we learned of its perfect sugar-growing climate.

The growth and development of the modern #1 US Navy was a catalyst for imperialism, as rotating turrets, new, more accurate and powerful shells were invented and implemented. In 1880, the US ranked 12th in the world, by 1900, we're 3rd. The Naval Advisory Board and James Blaine sought to change America's status, and they came up with a plan and within 20 years, had drastically improved.

The power of the printed word definitely supported imperialsm. For imperialsm, you need public support, bottom line. Alfred Thayer Mahon's The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, said, the only way a nation can be tops is with naval powers. No great nation ever existed without it. The Naval War of 1812 was an exaggerated historical account of the War of 1812's naval significance. It was written by Teddy Roosevelt.