The United States was a major global mechanical power between the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. The United States became the dominant economic and mechanical power worldwide due to their new technologies (such as the telegraph or steel), growing railroad networks, and abundance of natural resources. The United States adopted an ideology known as “isolationism” and decided to become independent from the rest of the globe. They also implemented new tariffs that helped their economy. That ideology changed to want to be self-sufficient and to desire more raw resources, power, and so the United States entered a period known as imperialism. This shift led both to internal and external changes, but also had an impact on the country’s social views. The US made the decision to move from isolationism into imperialism for three reasons: ideological, military and economic.
Imperialism and Isolationism were very different and complex policies. The policy of isolation was to avoid permanent ties, alliances and relations with other nations. The “Farewell Address”, a 1796 speech by George Washington that proposed commercial relations for the United States, but no permanent political alliances. “While each part of our nation feels an immediate, particular interest in union,” the “Farewell Address” (1796) of George Washington suggested that all parts could find greater strength, more resource, and proportionately greater security from foreign danger. The “Monroe doctrine” (1823) established a non-intervention relationship between the US and European countries. “With any European power’s existing colonies or dependents we have not interfered with them and will not. We have not interfered with any European power’s existing colonies or dependencies, but we have recognized their independence. Monroe then states that America should be considered a force to be trusted. The policy of imperialism, on the other side, is one where economic and political growth is the priority. It was aimed at countries that are industrial capitalists and were seeking low-cost prime markets as well as outlets for investment capital and industrial products. People began to feel nationalist and believed in European civilization’s superiority and the civilization mission of white man. Further, Social Darwinism was a theory that applies Darwinian theories and justifies the competition between peoples. It also allows for the dominance of more advanced peoples over less-evolved ones. Marx and many other socialists saw colonization as a tool for progress. The peak of Imperialism was attained in the late 1800s, and continued into the post-World War II years.
As we have already explained, there were three main factors that caused the shift from isolationism to an imperialist policy. The economic factor is the first. Frederick Jackson Turner, a historian and author of “The Significance for the Frontier of American History”, published his 1893 article. He discusses the 1890 Census. “That coarseness of strength combined with acuteness of inquisitiveness; this practical, inventive turn in mind, quick with the expedients, that masterful grasp on material things; that restless nervous energy; and that dominant individualism which works for good and against evil – these traits are the hallmarks of the frontier.” However, the superintendent who conducted the census claimed that the frontier was over or closed. Wounded Knee was an Indian-American war that ended the major Indian Wars. It took place in 1890. Jackson writes about the role of the frontier as a part of American history in his essay. Jackson did not value Native resistance to Anglo colonization. In fact, he doesn’t talk much about race and class. But he makes this clear. Idea that there is no frontier. The idea that the frontier is closed was accepted by the advocates of expansion. America could only expand if it went overseas.
Many imperialists used economic opportunities to justify increased participation. The United States is involved in international affairs. The rapid growth of US industrial manufacturing capabilities between the Civil War and 1890s was remarkable. The United States’ rapid industrialization resulted in a surplus of its production, which led to an American Imperialist belief that the United States needs new markets for both manufactured and agricultural goods. Due to their need for cheap raw material, the US decided that they would expand internationally. It was possible to get this from many countries, which would be a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. Many believed that there would be economic. The panic of 1893 was an example of a downturn. To do this and keep a strong economic system in place, they decided to take over the land of people living overseas. In order to be able to have these markets, they wanted to also take over the lives of the people they were taking over. Some Americans supported expansion and/or imperialism for strategic reasons. One thing that was occurring was that America’s Navy had been extremely weak and was not very impressive. America expanded during this period mostly getting islands to get to Chinese markets. Some Americans advocated expansion and/or imperialistic policy for strategic reasons. One of these things was that America had a weak navy and was not very impressive. America’s expansion throughout the period involved a lot of getting islands. They wanted to be close with foreign markets like China. The Kingdom of Hawaii’s merchant community deposed the queen in the first months of 1893 and asked President Harrison to annex it. He then presented the proposal to Senate approval. Cleveland, however, withdrew his proposal for an annexation. The revolutionaries of Hawaii created an independent Republic of Hawaii. The Republic of Hawaii was incorporated into the United States’ territory of 1898. Its residents were then granted American citizenship. The United States began investing in new naval technology, including steam warships, powerful arms and steel bridges at the close of nineteenth century. In the middle of the 1990s, the United States’ public opinion criticized the Spanish repressions of the Cuban independence movements as cruel and inhumane. Although the United States increased pressure, they were still dissatisfied by the Spanish responses. McKinley could not resist the continuing requests for action. Many Republicans and most Democrats demanded that Cuba be freed.
Fast simultaneously, both countries declared war (everyother country remained unaffected). The disproportionate Hispanic American war was won by the United States without any problems. It lasted for four months and took place from April to July. The Treaty of Paris allowed the United States to take over the territories that used to be part of the Spanish empire. This included Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This was America’s shift from a regional to a worldwide power. Under American supervision, Cuba gained independence. The permanent status of the Philippines became a political debate. William Jennings Bryan and the Democrats had been staunch supporters of the war but were not as determined to oppose its annexation. McKinley received a re-election and the annexation took place. Alfred T. Mahan, the President of Annapolis’ Naval College, stated that modern naval power and acquisitions were necessary in order to secure foreign market shares and be a world-power. The ships of war of America will, therefore, be unable to fly from their shores if there are no foreign military or colonial establishments. A government that proposes to develop the power of the nation at the sea would have the first duty of providing resting places where they can repair and coal.
Ideological reasons, or more precisely “Social Darwinism”, were the final reason for the transition from isolationism toward imperialism. The United States was just expanding from the Atlantic coast to its Pacific coast. Thus, the original idea of manifest destiny appeared to be fulfilled. Be that it may, the meaning of “Manifest Destiny”, as it was known, changed dramatically in the 1890s. America became its divine mission and began to reach beyond the Pacific. This was also considered to be Anglo-Saxon Predominance. Social Darwinism was an ideology that encouraged human competition. Many Americans believed that Anglo-Saxons were superior (people with British ancestors). They believed that Anglo-Saxons, in particular, were a superior race than any other. They believed that Anglo-Saxon predominance was a psychological need for many Americans. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was the inspiration for Social Darwinists. They believed in “the survival instinct” and the superior natures of the dominant. This held true for animals and plants as well. These convictions strengthened the well-known supremacist attitudes.
