Imperialism: What and Why?

The Basics What? Building an empire by establishing control… Beyond the nation’s territory Over people who generally are reluctant to accept such control When? Late 19th, early 20th century Where? Africa, Asia, Latin America Who? European Nations England, France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium Japan America

Why? 4 Major Rationales Economic Gain Mahanism Righteousness Social Darwinism The E M R s

Economic Gains To continue American economic prosperity, America needed to use Imperialism to acquire 1. markets (places that want to buy our products) 2. raw materials, 3. and investment opportunities We needed to protect the ones we already had, and encourage/allow the creation of new ones More than just our economy was at risk Increased production w/out new markets -> Depression of > 25% unemployment -> social unrest (unionization, strikes, rise of Socialist party, rise of Populists) Many argued that unemployed immigrants were too dangerous “We need to either export these products, or deport these people”

Mahanism For the purpose of national security and to promote and protect trade, America must become a naval power Our geography meant that we needed to be a 2 ocean power; we therefore needed

Mahanism For the purpose of national security and to promote and protect trade, America must become a naval power Our geography meant that we needed to be a 2 ocean power; we therefore needed 1. Modernized Navy Size, technology (steel and steam), weapons 2. A Canal in Central America A short cut that would allow us to easily maneuver between the Atlantic + Pacific Oceans 3. Naval bases throughout the Pacific and Caribbean Would serve both the U.S. Navy and our merchant fleet (privately owned civilian ships used for trade) Would act like a rest stop does for car travel (would encourage more businesses to engage in global trade)

Righteousness It is our duty/burden to spread our advanced way of life to the inferior people of the world Protestant Christianity, democracy (once they’re “ready” for it) education, technology, capitalism “You’re Welcome”/ Let’s pat ourselves on the back Doing this is the “White Man’s Burden” Poem by Rudyard Kipling

1 Take up the White Man's burden 2 Send forth the best ye breed— 3 Go bind your sons to exile 4 To serve your captives' need; 5 To wait in heavy harness 6On fluttered folk and wild— 7 Your new-caught, sullen [bad tempered] peoples, 8 Half-devil and half-child. 9 Take up the White Man’s burden 10 In patience to abide [tolerate] […] 11 To seek another’s profit 12 And work another’s gain 13 Take up the White Man's burden 14 The savage wars of peace– 15 Fill full the mouth of Famine 16 And bid the sickness cease [end]; 17 And when your goal is nearest 18 The end for others sought 19 Watch sloth [laziness] and heathen [someone who is not Christian] folly [foolishness] 20 Bring all your hopes to naught [nothing]. 21 Take up the White Man's burden 22 No Tawdry [showy] rule of kings 23 But toil [hard work] of serf [type of peasant] and sweeper-- 24 The tale of common things. […] 25 Take up the White Man's burden 26 And reap [gather] his old reward: 27 The blame of those ye better, 28 The hate of those ye guard-- […] 29 Take up the White Man’s burden 30 Have done with childish days 31 The lightly [easily] proferred [given] laurel [symbol of victory], 32 The easy, ungrudged praise. 33 Come now, to search your manhood 34 Through all the thankless years 35 Cold, edged with dear bought wisdom, 36 The judgment of your peers.

Social Darwinism “Survival of the Fittest is the law of nations and a law of nature” Races/nations have no choice but to compete with each other In the jungle’s it’s kill or be killed; for nations, it’s colonize or become a colony (no choice means we shouldn’t feel guilty; it’s not immoral) Social Darwinists had created a ranked system of all races/ethnicities WASPS were ranked at the top Technology, certain cultural practices, and subjugation of others resulted in higher ranking So, we have to imperialize to stay on top; we can’t let Europe beat us, or we’ll be pushed down and eventually be colonized Entitlement: because we’re superior, we deserve to have colonies. Our ability to do win colonies is proof of the superiority of our gov’t, economy, military, etc.

American Imperialism While European nations usually built formal empires, America generally preferred an informal empire: Instead of collecting colonies which we directly governed, we would use investments and trade connections to protect our interests and influence weaker nations, which would technically remain independent.