US as a World Power Essay Example for Free

US as a World Power Essay In the 1890’s, the idea of imperialism had begun imprinting itself in American minds. Many Americans began to believe that the United States was either going to explode or expand. Our country had a new sense of power which was generated from the growth of our industry and wealth. There were Americans who had pushed the idea of imperialism through books and articles, calling it the adventures of childhood dreams. The first moments had begun with President Cleveland and his secretary of state James G. Blaine. Imperialism had come off as an idea that benefited the world but, the cold hard truth was that we were simply just benefiting ourselves. Our new international interests began in several ways. Blaine had pushed the Big Sister policy, with this policy we were able to get the Latin Americans to rally with Uncle Sam. This give off an impression that we want to help out the others, give them an idea of bond ship with the United States but in reality, what we truly wanted was their open markets and utilize them for ourselves. Document A shows how power-hungry we are, wanting â€Å"to show our strength† and wanting â€Å"the taste of Empire†. One of the first ways we showed off our new, violent, and power hungry status was in 1899 against Germany. The two nations had been bickering over the Samoan Islands. Luckily, this was resolved and no war broke out. Alaska, another area of issues that occurred between The U. S. and Canada. This fight was a more idealistic than self interest one though. The hostilities had begun with seal hunting which, the United States was against giving off their humanitarian ideology. Doc. B, provide an explanation of this by stating that â€Å"we cannot fly from our world duties†. Hawaii was another area of interest to America. It’s location was able to hold a naval and it was enriched with resources the nation could use. American planters were searching for ways to secure Hawaii’s annexation. The Queen of Hawaii was against this and believed that her natives should keep control. The whites then revolted and the U. S. rushed to annexation but, President Cleveland withdrew the idea. The majority of the Hawaiian natives were against the idea and the idea of annexation was temporarily abandoned. We didn’t want to give Hawaii freedom and they didnt want it either, we just wanted to have over their island. Doc. C provide a well example of this, â€Å"they like their own way† yet we act as â€Å"amongst them as ruler†, not giving them the freedom. Cuba was another moment in our imperialistic time, where it was idealism than self-interest, supposedly. The Cuban’s were trying to revolt against their leaders in 1895. America gave their sympathies to the Cubans but were largely worried about their investments in the land. Senator Lodge at the time even showed their self-interest ways, â€Å"whoever controlled Cuba controls the Gulf†. McKinley, President at the time, gave in and sent the war message to free Cuba. Proposing the lie called The Teller Amendment after Cuba America was free but, not entirely. The Cubans were forced to sign to the Platt Amendment which basically, set them still under American control. This situation proves right here wanted control, not their freedom. Doc. D proves this control with stating, That the United States owns them but, â€Å"it can not incorporate them as part of the United States†. In1901, Theodore Roosevelt had taken the reigns of the U. S.  He had his own form of foreign policy called the Big Stick. The Big Stick policy was extremely aggressive and was very built around self-interest. Imperialists applauded his every move. His first move was the Panama Canal. The Colombian senate rejected the American offer of 10 million which Roosevelt didnt take fondly. In order to build his canal , Roosevelt sponsored a revolt in Panama and gained the opportunity to construct it with a larger zone. This situation right here shows how The U. S. truly did all the imperialistic moves in order to support itself not the world.