Pros and Cons of Imperialism (College Board AP® US History): Study Guide

Summary

Industrialization transformed the United States during the Gilded Age. By the late 19th century, domestic markets became saturated, and industries looked for new outlets for their manufactured goods. This desire for economic expansion fueled a growing movement for expanding the USA’s influence abroad through imperialism. However, while there was much support for the United States expanding its influence and economy, there were also those who opposed the idea of imperialism.

Expanding Imperialism

Imperialism

• Imperialism is the practice of occupying another country's government and economy through exploitation and domination, using diplomacy and military action

  • This control often involves exploiting the dominated nation to:

    • take advantage of their resources

    • make use of their labor

    • impose political systems

Reasons for imperialism

• Economic expansion

  • The United States needed access to raw materials for industrial production

  • Overseas markets offered new opportunities to sell both manufactured and agricultural goods 

• Military strength

  • A strong navy was needed to:

    • protect shipping routes which provided access to overseas markets

    • be readily available to support and defend distant markets 

  • The United States needed to expand their military forces to support its growing global influence

• Religious missions

  • Christian missionaries wanted to convert ‘unbelievers’ abroad

  • The Boxer Rebellion (1899−1901) was an uprising against foreigners bringing imperialism to China

  • It led to the death of missionaries and other foreigners

• Cultural superiority

  • Many Americans believed in the idea of spreading American culture and lifestyle including democracy, capitalism, and American cultural values

  • Social Darwinism supported this idea that the United States had a duty to “uplift” less-advanced nations 

Reasons opposing imperialism:

• Each country has a right to self-determination

  • Critics argued that imperialism contradicted the core American value of self-governance, which was a core principle of the American Revolution

  • Many believed that imposing control over other nations violated the nation’s right to independence

  • Strong supporters against imperialism included the American Anti-Imperialist League and Bourbon Democrats

• Isolationism

  • Isolationists had no desire to become entangled with another country's problems, believing it would lead to unnecessary conflicts

• Anti-immigration concerns

  • Some Americans feared that imperialism would lead to a rise in new citizens from immigration

    • They thought this would alter the social and political landscape of the United States

    • They feared immigrants would take jobs away from American workers

• Moral and ethical concerns

  • Critics highlighted the exploitation and oppression of Indigenous populations