The Rise of an Imperialist America Through Expansionist and Militaristic Ideals

In the 19th century, the United States was starting to become a global superpower. The

failing European powers in the Western Hemisphere presented the perfect opportunity for

expansion and a rise in military power for the United States. The acquisition of Alaska from

Russia made the nation see the economic gain that could be found in the annexation of

territories. A large amount of citizens of the nation wanted the nation to annex more territory to

acquire more economic resources. The nation discovered the economic advantage after the

purchase of Alaska. The participation in WWI allowed a stronger nation to gain more influence

in Europe through trade and military involvement. The United States became a global power

after the annexation of several territories like Hawaii, war with European nations and influence

in the Western Hemisphere, and heightened influence in global affairs and conflicts like WWI.

The expansionist ideals lead to an economic and military superpower in the Western

Hemisphere. Expansionist and imperialist beliefs encouraged expansion for economic growth.

Many people in the United States believed that expansionism was immoral and violated the basic

beliefs of the nation’s founding. Expansionists wanted to get more land to become the dominant

political and military power in the Western Hemisphere. Gaining more influence would mean the

nation could prosper. Under expansionist ideology, the nation annexed several territories

including Hawaii and the Philippines. The nation helped Panama gain independence to buy a

large area in order to build a canal that would make travel easier between the Atlantic and

Pacific. The action would greatly benefit military capability. Another group in the issue were

isolationists, who believed America should be isolated and independent. The two opposing ideals
would lead to an inner conflict on the morality of expansionism. Later, in the 20th century

America would use new military dominance to help efforts in WWI by supporting allies to break

the stalemate in France. The expansion stops after the war, and it was with the Senate's refusal to

ratify the Treaty of Versailles, that America would return to isolation once again.

For much of the 19th and 20th century, the dominant force in the Americas was Spain.

The Spanish Empire controlled vast territories in South and Central America. The Empire

stretched from Peru to the Philippines. There was a growing independence movement in Cuba;

the US saw this as a perfect opportunity to expand. The country decided to send the USS ​Maine

off the coast, and when it was eventually sunk, the U.S. government blamed Spain. The collapse

triggered many Americans to support war. The Spanish-American war lasted a very short

amount of time, taking only 4 months. The United States eventually won and Cuba gained

independence. The US gained Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. A revolt started in the

Philippines over independence, Filipinos wanted to become a sovereign nation. Over the next

few years, struggles in Cuba lead to violence and terrorism. Thousands of soldiers would die and

be taken prisoner. The Spanish-American war lead many to question the morality of

expansionism and brought even more power to America.

The Treaty of Versailles and the rise of expansionism transformed American ideals and

influence. The rise of expansionism lead America to become a global power, and as such, began

to play a larger role in global affairs. The first world war broke out in Europe and was the largest

conflict the world had ever seen. American involvement was originally trade and supplies to

allies. The nation sent troops to Europe after the British intercepted a message from Germany to

Mexico. The message was meant to recruit Mexico to join Central efforts to fight the US if war
broke out. The troops arrived in Europe to help break the stalemate in France, ending the war

with the 100 Days Offensive. When the war ended, President Wilson proposed a 14 point plan to

guarantee peace. The plan outlined a League of Nations, essentially a predecessor to the UN. The

League would create diplomatic relations between many European countries. When the senate

refused to ratify The Treaty of Versailles, the US was not to be in the league and returned to

isolation. The sudden rise in power gained in expansion and militaristic actions in Europe would

lead to the U.S. becoming a military power across the world. The rise of expansionism and

military dominance in Europe contributed to make the United States a major world power.

The long lasting effects of American imperialist actions in the late 19th and 20th century

helped to make the United States a world power. The early actions of US expansionism,

including the purchase of Alaska and the annexation of Hawaii, helped to make the nation a

police force in the Western Hemisphere. The amount of new economic opportunity discovered in

expansion lead many to support the acquisition of new territory. Many people saw such

imperialistic actions as immoral, violating basic beliefs of the nation. The nation blamed Spain

on the sinking of the USS Maine to have reason to go to war. The war ended after less than a

year later with America annexing Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Now the country was a

superpower in the Western Hemisphere after acquiring vast amounts of territory. When WWI

started in Europe the US was sending supplies with allies until a message was intercepted asking

Mexico to join an alliance with Germany. US military force allowed allied powers to end the

stalemate in France and allowed the alliance to win the war. After Germany surrendered,

President Wilson proposed a 14-point proposal to ensure peace in Europe. The plan included the

formation of an alliance called the League of Nations. The League would focus on preventing
conflict in Europe. When the senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, the U.S. would not

join the League of Nations. The sudden rise in power was over, the US would no longer gain

more territories, no membership in the League of Nations. The rise to become a global

superpower made the United States a police force in the Western Hemisphere and a militaristic

force in Europe following the outbreak of WWI. The 20th and 19th century policies and

expansion made the United States a global superpower.