Since the American Revolution, American Imperialism has been part of the United States. The United States as one of the powerful nation sought to expand and maintain its control in various territories across the world so as to maintain its identity as a powerful nation. On the other hand, the United States was also determined to ensure equality for all people in the society regardless of race. As a result, the views on the US’ overseas expansion in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century share many similarities and differences between the anti-imperialists and the pro-imperialists.
According to a newspaper article titled Colored American by Cooper, an African American editor of the Washington, DC newspaper, the involvement of African Americans in war together with the Americans will enhance unity in the US. These was a period during which there was racial prejudice among the white Americans towards the African Americans. Cooper’s view was first to ensure that their existed brotherhood among the various races in the US society. For instance, black participation on various wars involving the US expansion interest would enhance harmony between the white and the black community and understand that they are fighting for the course and the benefit of the country.
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"United States Overseas Expansion In The Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries".
Summer is of the view of America to promote equality by giving anti-Spain sentiments in his speech by saying that Spain is bad. In his view, American overseas expansion is to promote social and political justice, and also equality for all in the society. His view is an indication that the US was determined to promote overseas expansion to ensure social equality and get rid of the Spanish. His view is the support of military action against Spain. He strongly believes on controlling Spain as a territory and imposing the American doctrines in the oversea territory.
Similarly, the conquest of the Philippines as indicated by President William McKinley is a form of the US’ expansion overseas. McKinley is a pro-imperialists president who supports the US overseas expansion in the Philippines. He supports the conquest of the Philippines territory and protect from Spain, a European imperial country interested in the Philippines. His view is motivated by the need to safeguard the US’ reputation as a powerful nation in the world politics. In addition, the US was interested in safeguarding its commercial interests in the Philippines. The US wanted to enhance its ideologies in Spain.
Addams views the US’ war on overseas expansion has having adverse effects of on the American society such as the Spanish War. His statement is a communication statement that tries to change the mind of imperialism. Addams is one of the anti-imperialists against the US involvement in overseas territories. The values of brotherhood in the American society were eroded as a result of militarism against other countries.
Similar to President McKinley, President Theodore Roosevelt is a pro imperialism who supported the US’ overseas expansion by conquering the Philippines based on the need to ensure proper governance in the country. Furthermore, Roosevelt supports the need to ensure such territories are protected from any invasion by the Spanish. Most European were determined to acquire more colonies to acquire materials for trade and commercial purposes. The US was also determined to safeguard its interests in the Philippines which it had earlier acquired from the Spain. In contrast, Bryan’s view is against the establishment of Imperialism arguing that it will bring more than good the American society which was already facing race issues. In addition, Puck opposes imperialism by arguing that conquering the Philippines is an enormous task. The image is meant to undermine the U.S ability to expand and spread to other territories rather than its own.
In a nutshell, people shared similar and different views on America’s overseas expansion in late nineteenth and twentieth century. Cooper and Addams are anti-imperialist who oppose the overseas expansion. In addition, Bryan and the Puck magazine oppose the expansion by arguing that the American society was facing many issues and by taking part in imperialism will further complicate them. On the other hand, President McKinley, Roosevelt, and Summer are imperialists who argue that there is need to safeguard America’s trade and commercial interests in such territories.
