Expansionism In The Us Essay, Research Paper

US History Essay Chapter 20

Nineteenth century and early twentieth century United States expansionism was in many ways a continuation of past expansionism. Greed for land, power, and money motivated the expansions of the US. Whenever the US annexed, acquired, bought, or simply took more land, it benefited them greatly. The rewards being, more farming land, more power,and sometimes gold and riches. However, the actions US took to attain the land theythought they so desperately needed, were barbaric and cruel in both instances. During both periods of expansionism, the U.S. continued to disrespect people and take over where they were not welcome. Before the twentieth century the United States gained new land close by. The Indian Removal Act and the Louisiana Purchase are examples of the U.S s certainty to expand geographically as a nation. However the actions of the US

in the second expansion proved that the US was now more engaged in foreign affairs. For example Albert J. Beveridge said The Philippines are ours forever (Doc. E) When the US forced themselves westward trying to get rid of the Indians they didn t care about the future of the Indians, all they wanted was more land and more power. By passing laws like the Homestead Act and Dawes Act of 1887 they tried to Americanize an entire culture. The US s actions towards the Philippines is a similar case. During the war with Spain the US tried to teach their culture American ways. The feeling of dominance and thinking they were the superior race factored into the goal of influencing all the smaller races. Without the help of the Anglo-Saxon race all other cultures and societies would fail. They felt it was their duty and responsibility to gain control and regulate them so they wouldn t destroy themselves. All that this country desires is to see the neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous. (DocF) This is also true in the first expansion when the US tried to reform the Indians and

make them civilized . However the US wen back on its word when they forced

themselves into Hawaii even after Queen Lilioukalani declared herself as an absolute monarch. The US greed for riches played a major role in both expansions. In order to gain more land for American farmers the US passed the Homestead Act. This Act took land form the Indians and provided it for the American citizens. Similarly when the US planters went into Hawaii to harvest sugar they eventually took over Hawaii with out reason. In both expansions the US s motives remained the same. Get more money, power and land. To take over and mold a culture into its own and if they refuse, destroy it. Although

the land they were overtaking was faraway and difficult to manage it didn t stop them from using the same tactics as they had used in the past.