The US at the time.

Through the age of imperialism in Europe, powers were spread around the world. The United
States, being a world power, would not give up the opportunity to expand control other weaker countries. The US was quite powerful, but was looking to continue to spread their territory, make themselves even stronger, and have multiple trade routes to have all the resources they needed and wanted.

There were three major policies that the US used during this era. The big policies used by the US during this period were the "Big Stick" policy, social darwinism, and "the white mans burden". These were tools used to fuel the imperialistic boat around the Atlantic and across the Pacific oceans. 

 To the left is a cartoon appealing to the anti-imperialism culture of the US as the natives of north america tell of what happened to them when they were promised prosperity by the colonists to those of the Philippines. 

The decision to annex the Philippines was not without domestic controversy. Americans who advocated annexation evinced a variety of motivations. The desire for commercial opportunities in Asia, concern that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so. However, American opposition to U.S. colonial rule of the Philippines came in many forms, ranging from those who thought it morally wrong for the United States to be engaged in colonialism, to those who feared that annexation might eventually permit the non-white Filipinos to have a role in American national government. Others were wholly unconcerned about the moral or racial implications of imperialism. This was the white mans burden to care for a lesser country in the midst of stronger opponents in search of this land as well. To the right is "The Battle of Manila" in 1899 help push public opinion in America toward taking possession of the Philippines.

Interest in Hawaii began in America as early as the 1820s, when New England missionaries tried in earnest to spread their faith. Since the 1840s, keeping European powers out of Hawaii became a principal foreign policy goal. Americans acquired a true foothold in Hawaii as a result of the Sugar trade. The United States government provided generous terms to Hawaiian sugar growers, and after the Civil War, profits began to swell. A turning point in U.S.-Hawaiian relations occurred in 1890, when Congress approved the McKinley  Tariff, which raised import rates on foreign sugar. Hawaiian sugar planters were now being undersold in the American market, and as a result, a depression swept the islands. The sugar growers, mostly white Americans, knew that if Hawaii were to be Annexed by the United States, the tariff problem would naturally disappear. At the same time, the Hawaiian throne was passed to Queen Liliuokalani, who determined that the root of Hawaii's problems was foreign interference. So a revolt would take place by the people of Hawaii. In January 1893, the planters staged an uprising to overthrow the Queen. At the same time, they appealed to the United States armed forces for protection. Without Presidential approval, marines stormed the islands, and the American minister to the islands raised the stars and stripes in Honolulu.

USA on Imperialism

The political cartoon above is entitled "A Lesson for Anti-expansionists." It depicts the United States of America growing in maturity as it absorbs and expands onto and into new land and countries. Settling the west was the first great feat of nationalism with the belief  in manifest destiny. The annexing of texas was forceful, but it proved itself. After all the years and expansion, the artist attempts to rally those against expansion and imperialism as they show other countries asking for friendship with, the now great and expanded, USA. It is a truth that western countries became impressed and even fearful of America as it spread west and into the pacific and mid Atlantic, but arguments can be made towards the side effects of the methods used to obtain these lands.

The United States was always imperialistic. Maybe not as much at England, but there is always another field to be claimed and 'freed'.
-The US annexed Texas because manifest destiny said it was a right given by god.
-took hawaii and Philippines for navel benefits.
-bought Alaska....because it promised great things.
Now to counteract it all, America did have its reasons.
-annexed Texas to help those Americans already their from Spanish rule.
-took control of the pacific to avoid trade issues imposed by others.
-America was booming with population and most of Alaska is uninhabited. Some one just happened to own it first.

Cartoons of the times

 The cartoon on the right depicts animals representing the countries on their sashes, all gathered around a sleeping China. All ready to fight to the death over it. It is likely that this cartoon was made around the time of the Boxer Rebellion, as the imperial powers are getting ready to disturb and fight with the Chinese dragon. Minor details tell more about the time period. There are many countries in the picture, however, other than the Chinese dragon, are the Russian bear and British lion. They are the two most interested countries in China of the time. America, a mass power of the world, is shown off to the corner with little presents at all in this brawl.

The picture to the left is titled "the devil fish in Egyptian waters". A cartoon from 1882 depicting John Bull (the face of England) as the octopus of imperialism grabbing land on every continent. When it came to imperialism of the 1800's, England was a super giant out to take control of any land it could get its hands on. The image gives a negative vibe about England's intentions as Johns face shows a look of greed on the body of an octopus, a creature feared by sailors in their stories of giant octopuses destroying ships and killing many. I think it is a perfect example of imperialism of England. Everyone is out land grabbing but not too many are conquering.

Introduction to Ch. 25

This blog is about chapter 25: The Age of Imperialism. The age of imperialism refers to the late 18th to the turn of the 20th century where the new game for countries to play to further themselves was imperialistic conquering and the claiming of under developed or non industrialized lands in Africa and Asia. The power in Europe was equaling out and taking control of a developed country was more difficult than an under developed land. Millions of westerners emigrated to newly westernized countries in hopes of cashing in on these new developments. Science, religion, greed and ethics drove countries with a sense of nationalism to want to go and help develop the "third world" countries, or rather, countries that were not considered westernized, industrialized or christian.

Within this blog, I hope to establish an understanding as to the reasons for westernization and what caused some countries to close their borders.

An essential question posed is what made it so easy for countries to pour assets into the large costs of imperialism?
A simple answer is nationalism. Nationalism creates a well maintained homeland and a well funded government and a fully staffed crew to lead exploration of the sea and land. Nationalism is also sold easily to the public with religious backing, economically beneficial promises, and new flashy science.