1. Debating America’s New Role
Angela Brown
Chapter 9

2. Learning Targets:
Describe the main arguments raised by the anti-imperialists.
Explain why imperialism appealed to many Americans.
Understand how imperialism made the United States both welcome and unpopular around the world.

3. The Anti-Imperialists
After annexation of the Philippines in 1898 opposition to imperialism grew.
Anti-Imperialism League established by Democrat William Jennings Bryan; settlement house leader, Jane Addams; and novelist, Mark Twain.

4. Moral and Political Arguments
Expansionist behavior was a rejection of the nation’s foundation of “liberty for all”.
U.S. had enough difficulty at home so should not take on more responsibility.
The large armies used to control other nations could be used to crush dissent at home.
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5. Racial Arguments
Racism – belief that differences in character or intelligence are due to one’s race
Many Americans believed Anglo-Saxons were superior to other races – public officials often agreed!
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6. Southern Democrats feared effects of having to absorb more people of different races into U.S.
Others feared it would encourage people of other racial backgrounds to move to the U.S.
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7. Economic Arguments Expansion involved too many costs.
Maintaining necessary armed forces required more taxation, debt, and possibly even compulsory (required) military service.

8. Samuel Gompers argued laborers coming into U. S
Samuel Gompers argued laborers coming into U.S. would compete with American workers for jobs.
They would work for lower wages = drive wages down

9. Imperialism’s Appeal Keep Americans from losing competitive edge
Offered a new kind of frontier for American Expansion
Scouting appeared in U.S. in 1910
Need to gain access to new markets

10. 1907 Roosevelt sent Great White Fleet on Cruise around the world to demonstrate power to the world.
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11. Two Sides of Imperialism
The U.S. often had to defend governments that were unpopular with local inhabitants.
Even those fearful about maintaining their independence turned to the U.S. for help.

12. Imperialist Racism
We wanted the land and resources but we don’t want the people.
Our culture and government is better than everyone else’s.
They all want to be like us. So we should help them be just like us.
Manifest Destiny states that God means for us to have this property.