7.2 Imperialism: Debates

obj: explain the similarities and differences in attitude about the nation's role in the world (imperialists vs. anti imperialists)

define imperialism

expansion of one country’s political, economic, and military influences over another country

what was america’s foreign policy before this time period?

america was originally more isolationist because they were just starting out as a nation, so they wanted to focus on developing themselves + avoid foreign conflict

what did washington’s farewell address say about foreign policy?

washington advised the nation to stay neutral by not being dragged into wars and trading with everyone

what did the monroe doctrine say about foreign policy?

EU should not be involved in the western hemisphere (particularly Latin America), and in return, the US would not be involved in affairs in the eastern hemisphere (Turkey)

why would the US not want EU to be involved in Latin America

The US wanted to be able to trade with Latin America, which they could not do if EU colonized it (because colonies only trade with the mother country — mercantilism !!)

american imperialism started with what purchase?

william seward purchased alaska from RU and BR in 1867 for $7.2mil

what was seward’s folly

used to desc alaskan purchase b/c territory was seen as useless until gold was discovered

what did the frontier thesis (frederick jackson turner) say

american frontier is key to america’s democracy and development because the frontier is where ambitious ppl go to reinvent themselves, make their own rules, innovate

what happens when there is no more frontier (according to turner)?

america stops evolving + goes backwards → weaker democracy

what is the frontier?

unsettled parts of america (eg. without railroads) → represented opportunity for growth and innovation

how does the frontier thesis relate to imperialism?

because america needs a frontier to grow and develop but had no more land west, they pushed the frontier beyond north america and into foreign territories

why did imperialists want to expand? (economic)

gain access to more raw materials and new markets (mainly markets)

why did imperialists want to expand? (social)

imperialism would allow the US to gain more international respect because EU had already began expanding their nation for ages

how was imperialism justified?

imperialism was justified through social darwinism— a pseudoscientific theory that applied darwin’s theories of evolution to politics/economics. it was argued that because the white race was the “fittest” or superior race, it was only natural for them to dominate lesser nations

what did rudyard kipling’s “white man’s burden” say?

it argued that it was the duty of white people as the superior race to conquer other nations in order to civilize them

why were anti imperialists against imperialism (previous policies) ?

america had a long isolationist past (evidenced by washington’s farewell address and monroe doctrine)

why were anti imperlists against imperialism? (moral argument)

they believed in self-determination or a nation’s right to rule themselves— similar to arguements colonial americans used to reject british rule → therefore, imperialism would be hypocritical

why were anti-imperialists against imperialism? (economic-ish)

it would be more difficult and more expensive to control further colonies + this money could be allocated towards reform instead

what does the phrase, “does the constitution follow the flag” mean?

do the people in the territories america colonizes receive american citizenship and american rights

insular cases

series of supreme court decisions regarding status of us territories

downes vs. bidwell

insular case surrounding the question, “does the constitution follow the flag?” — decided that the constitution does NOT follow the flag (in terms of revenue and administrative matters)

What was Alfred Thayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power on History about?

argued that any country that was influential got to that point b/c of a robust navy with the ability to secure foreign markets