Debating America

1
Debating Americas 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.

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Moral and Political Arguments

• Expansionist behavior was a rejection of the
  nations 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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Racial Arguments

• Racism belief that differences in character or
  intelligence are due to ones race
• Many Americans believed Anglo-Saxons were
  superior to other races public officials often
  agreed!

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• 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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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.
  would compete with American workers for jobs.
• They would work for lower wages drive wages down

9
Imperialisms 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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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 dont
  want the people.
• Our culture and government is better than
  everyone elses.
• 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.