The Pros and Cons of Imperialism At the Turn of the 20th Century US History I Unit 2

Reasons for the US to Expand Overseas: The US needed to continue its frontier experience overseas Continental frontier was not longer adequate for the population. US needed “elbow room”

Reasons for (continued) US belief in cultural superiority Race, values, religion, and economics Goal was to civilize the world Helping “lesser peoples” **Ethnocentrism**

Reasons for (continued) Imperialism was the product of strains in US society due to industrialization Increase in productivity=need for new markets to expand into US needs more natural resources

Reasons for (continued) Social Darwinism was a prominent belief People believed that “survival of the fittest” applied to people AND nations

Anti-Imperialism Arguments Goes against beliefs of Christianity to force people to “follow suit” (most Americans were Christians at this time) Imperialism is undemocratic US does not have the military capabilities to protect an overseas empire

Anti-Imperialism (continued) Stay out of European affairs Use the two oceans to protect us Stay isolated Imperialism= tyranny US was a colony of Great Britain once

Anti-Imperialism (continued) There is no need to expand overseas US is a vast nation Plenty of natural resources Plenty of markets for goods

Discussion Questions How do the justifications for imperialism have their roots in the Progressive Movement? …in the Industrial Revolution?