AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

The thirteen American colonies on the East coast of North America had won their independence from England and emerged as the United States of America. Territorial expansion took place at the cost of American tribes who resisted but were defeated.

There was civil war between North America and South America. The southern states were defeated and slavery was abolished.

USA was the largest producer of iron and steel in the world and became a leader in every field of industry. But the growth of US economy went unnoticed as US herself had huge markets for her products. There was also a general lack of interest in world affairs.

1890s – The transformation of USA from an agricultural to an industrial country was mainly responsible for the rise and growth of American Imperialism. To support imperialism, America began talking about the duty of civilized nations to uplift the less fortunate ones and ‘the laws of nature’ according to which strong countries dominated weak countries.

Expansion in Pacific – Germany, Britain and America fought among themselves for the Hawaiian Islands. To avoid war they divided the islands among themselves.

Cuba and Philippines – were Spanish colonies. USA attacked Spain and annexed these territories.

China – The European powers had divided China into spheres of influence. Fearing that she would be left out, USA gave the ‘Open Door Policy’ according to which all countries would trade equally in China.

Boxer Rebellion – Chinese fought against foreigners. USA joined the other Europeans in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion.

1900s – USA was aware of being a world power. President Theodore Roosevelt gave the ‘Big Stick Policy’ based on the principle ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’. He was afraid of Russia’s interest in China and was happy when Japan attacked Russian fleet. When Russia was defeated in the Russo Japanese War, he persuaded Russia to recognize Japanese territorial rights. He entered a secret agreement with Japan. This gave USA the right to trade freely in the regions owned by Japan. This proved costly to USA because later we see that Japan becomes the main rival of USA.

Latin America was USA’s special sphere of interest. Roosevelt declared that US had the right not only to opposed European intervention in the American continent but to interfere in the internal affairs too.

Panama Canal – The French company completed 40% construction of the Panama Canal in Colombia. USA bought French holdings but the Colombian government did not agree to US terms and conditions. US called Colombians ‘bandits’ and ‘blackmailers’ and launched a revolution in Panama. US troops landed in Colombia. After three days, Panama was recognized as an independent nation and a puppet government signed an agreement with US granting US favorable terms on the Panama Canal.

1914 World War I - US decides to enter the war claiming that it wanted ‘to make the world safe for democracy’ and ‘joined the war to end wars’. USA supplied goods, food, arms and ammunition to the allies. Therefore, US economy prospered. This was used to defeat the central powers.

Treaty of Versailles – US President Wilson played an important role in formulating the Treaty of Versailles, but the treaty was rejected by the US Senate and USA refused to join the League of Nations as she did not want to be dominated by any other power.

World War II – US announced neutrality, but continued to be the main supplier of arms and ammunition to the British and other allied nations. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and US declared war on Japan.

After World War II US emerged as the strongest military and economic power in the world. US viewed herself as ‘a moral force’ in the world and Americans called this period the ‘American century’.

US and Soviet Russia – To check the growth of Soviet Russia, US created NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The Cold War period witnessed Americas growing economic and military involvement in all places (Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, Iran, Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). US acted as a Global Policeman, disciplining, and punishing ‘errant’ regimes. The breakup of Soviet Russia made USA the undisputed leader of the world.

The Gulf War in the early 1900s and the more recent bombings of Afghanistan and the war against Iraq without UN authorization are best examples of American Imperialism.