How Did The United States Become An Imperial Power?
Many historians point to the Spanish-American War of 1898 as the moment when the United States officially became an imperial power. This war was a result of the desire by the United States to acquire assets and territory, both in the Caribbean and in the Pacific, as they sought to expand their influence and power around the world. In this article, we will discuss how the United States became an imperial power and the consequences of this decision.
Pre-Imperial US Foreign Policy
Before we can understand how the US became an imperial power, it is important to understand their previous foreign policy. The United States began as a series of colonies, and had close ties with Britain – particularly with the creation of the Jay Treaty in 1794. This treaty, which allowed for free trade between the two nations, somewhat weakened ties between the US and Britain and laid the groundwork for the US to become an independent country.
The US sought to expand their international influence and, throughout the 19th century, engaged in several wars with Native American tribes and with Mexican forces. In the cases of both the Mexican-American War and the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the US actively sought to annex or take control of new territories, often through violent means. This is a significant step towards becoming an imperial power.
Rise of American Imperialism
Throughout the early 19th century, the US began to take steps towards becoming a powerful nation on the international stage. They held a powerful position as a result of economic ties with other countries and also actively sought to expand their influence in the Pacific. This was seen with the acquisition of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) in 1844, and the US also sought to acquire other Pacific Islands, including Samoa and the Mariana Islands.
For the US, imperialism was a way to project their power and military might in other parts of the world. This was particularly evident in the Navy’s acquisition of modern ironclad ships and guns – designed to be used for offensive purposes. This rise in arms and military strength was important in demonstrating the US’s imperial power.
Lead-Up To The Spanish-American War
The US was actively looking for opportunities to expand their influence in the Caribbean, and in 1898, this opportunity presented itself in the form of the Spanish-American War. This war began with the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbour, and the US used this incident as an excuse to become involved in the Cuban War of Independence.
While US involvement in the Cuban War had been planned prior to their declaration of war on Spain, their actions in the war – especially their invasion and occupation of Puerto Rico and other Caribbean territories – indicated that their aim was to become a full-fledged colonial power. The US victory in this war, and their acquisition of overseas territories, cemented their status as an imperial power.
Strategic Expansion in the Pacific
The Spanish-American War not only gave the US a foothold in the Caribbean, but it also gave them a presence in the Pacific. Prior to this, the US had already secured territories in the Pacific, including Hawaii, Samoa and the Mariana Islands. However, the war with Spain gave them a greater foothold in the region, with the acquisition of Guam, the Philippines and the Pago Pago Islands.
This expansion into the Pacific was strategic both militarily and economically, as it gave the US a greater presence in an area that was becoming important to global trade. With the acquired territories, the US was able to exert their imperial power and expand their influence.
Consequences of US Imperialism
The US’s acquisition of new territories has had both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, the US’s new territories and influence in the Pacific and the Caribbean have allowed them to have an increased presence in these regions, and this has been beneficial for both trade and for the security of the USA.
On the other hand, their imperial power has also been used to further their interests in these regions and facilitate the exploitation of resources. In the Caribbean and the Pacific, the US has become involved in a number of political disputes, often interfering in the affairs of other nations and intervening in order to further their own interests. This has caused tension in the countries affected and created unrest in these regions.
The United States’ entry into imperial power status occurred in the late 19th century. This expansion of power was based in part on their economic prowess and their military strength, which allowed them to not only acquire new territories but to maintain their influence in those regions. The US’s acquisition of new territories and its resulting imperial power has both positive and negative consequences, and it will be interesting to see the impact this has on international relations and global power dynamics in the future.
