U.S. Foreign Policy: Imperialism

Reasons for Expansion What is imperialism? Economic Interest Military Needs Ideology Scramble for Territory Manifest Destiny

Hypothetical Situation One day at school you notice a huge ring of students jostling and pushing. As you get closer, you hear some of the students yelling “Fight!” Like the rest, you want to see what is happening. Finally finding a vantage point, you see two students threatening one another. One is a good friend; the other is a former friend and a current enemy that owes you money. What will you do?

Options??? Turn away and leave because the fight does not concern you and getting involved will only mean trouble. Convince a couple of friends to help you separate the two students before they hurt each other. Get in the fight on your friend’s side and punch out the former friend who owes you money since he deserves it. Punch out both students to show the rest of the school who is the toughest kid on campus.

Placing U.S. Actions Isolationism – strict non-involvement in affairs of other nations. Collective Security – working with other countries to influence world affairs. Internationalism – Intervening in other countries’ affairs to promote important national interest and/or safeguard national security. Imperialism – Extending power by acquiring territory around the globe or exploiting weaker nations to national interest.

Debriefing Questions??? Which foreign policy stance has the United States appear to favor the most? The least? Do you notice any patterns in U.S. foreign policy over the course of U.S. history? What do you think might explain the constant shifting of U.S. foreign policy from one stance to another? Why do you think the U.S. began taking a more active role in world affairs in the 20 th century. Where on the foreign policy spectrum should the U.S. position itself today? Explain.