course material

1. HIST 170 American History
Question:
Discuss the economic, strategic and ideological factors that contributed to American
interest in overseas expansion in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and how the U. S.
achieved this expansion. As part of your analysis and discussion identify the arguments of
both critics and supporters of imperialism, evaluating and explaining who had the stronger
arguments.
Answer:
One of the landmark events in human history was the era of colonialism. The European
powers, in the eighteenth century, believed that they had the requisite power and resources
to expand their territories (Ryan, 2018). The markets in their homeland were increasing at
a rapid rate but they did not have the resources to satisfy the wants of the people. This led
to the emergence of the idea of territorial expansionism and colonialism. This essay seeks to
discuss the concept of colonialism in the context of the United States of America. This essay
further analyses the reasons for the imperialistic notions of the people of the United States.
The essay concludes with the significance and the ensuing impact of colonialism on the
whole world.
The people of the United States of America had initially believed in the merits of the policy
of isolationism. In the beginning of the nineteenth century they felt that the United States
was a recently formed country and hence, more attention was required in the stabilization
of the domestic territory (Wells, 2018). There were many internal wrinkles that had to be
solved and hence, there was no time or motive to look at the dominance of the world.
However, soon this view point began to change. Many important leaders of the United
States felt that they were being left out of the race of colonialism. The European powers and
even some of the East Asian powers such as Japan were deep into the policy of imperialism
(Wells, 2018). Colonialism implied that the more powerful nations of the world would
conquer the territorial boundaries of the other weaker powers of the world and use their
resources for the benefit of the home country. This policy highly intrigued the leaders of the
United States of America and they decided to play their part in the era of colonialism and
imperialism.

2. One of the most ardent supporters of the policy of the expansion of America’s territorial
boundaries was a Senator by the name of Henry Cabot Lodge. He believed that the United
States of America should establish complete and absolute superiority within the area of
Pacific Ocean ("Henry Cabot Lodge", 1897). For this purpose, it was essential to build the
Nicaragua Canal which would help to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.
This will give the benefit of leverage to the United States who will then be able to control the
trading routes in both the oceans. Moreover, the Nicaragua Canal must be protected and for
this, there is a necessity to control the Hawaiian Islands and the land of Samoa. This would
ensure the strategic protection of the entire region which faced an imminent threat from the
European powers trying to establish control in the Eastern seaboard of the region.
The interest of the United States in the region of Caribbean took a turn on the issue of
independence of Cuba. During that time, Cuba was fighting an internal revolution for its
independence from the influence of Spain. The United States stood nearby to interfere at the
slightest opportunity so that it will be able to establish its control over the region. One of
the most reputed newspapers of that time, the New York Herald Tribune opined that it was
due to the actions of the President of the United States, William McKinley that peace was
maintained within the region of Cuba even when the whole nation was fraught with disaster
and conflict ("New York Herald Tribune", 1898).
The United States had its own motives of conquering Cuba and not to let it fall into the
hands of any European power. This was revealed in the De Lome Letter which was written
by Senor Don Enrique to Senor Don Jose Canelejas ("Our Documents - Transcript of De
Lôme Letter (1898)", 2018). The influence of the United States on the nation of Cuba was
clearly stated in the Platt Amendment, which was signed in 1903 ("Our Documents -
Transcript of Platt Amendment (1903)", 2018). The document contained that it was the
responsibility of the United States to ensure that the armies of Spain left the nation of Cuba.
Furthermore, the government of Cuba will not enter into any agreement or treaty which will
affect the hard earned independence of Cuba. Moreover, the leaders of Cuba would give a
free reign to the Government of the United States to intervene in any of the internal matters
of Cuba which is conducive to ensure the independence of the nation.
To conclude, it is observed that the motives of the United States of America in the sphere of
colonialism was achieved to some extent with the preponderant role of the United States
within the activities of Cuban government. Thus, the policy of colonialism had a deep impact
on the weaker sections of the world by the way of allowing the stronger states to have a say
in their sovereignty.
References:
Henry Cabot Lodge. (1897). Highered.mheducation.com.

3. New York Herald Tribune. (1898). Highered.mheducation.com.
Our Documents - Transcript of De Lôme Letter (1898). (2018). Ourdocuments.gov.
Our Documents - Transcript of Platt Amendment (1903). (2018). Ourdocuments.gov.
Ryan, D. (2018). American imperialism and the state, 1893–1921.
Wells, J. (2018). Populism and Imperialism: Politics, Culture, and Foreign Policy in the
American West, 1890–1900. By Nathan Jessen. Western Historical Quarterly.