At the end of the 19th century, the United States began to realize the potential they had as a world power. They were the leading producers of wheat and cotton, they had developed as an industrial nation, and they had been successful in the past with producing international treaties favorable to their desires. The leaders of the United States saw no reason that they should not try to expand and become an imperial power, and it was necessary for them to begin immediately before Europe had complete colonial control over the world. With an ever expanding economy, the United States was looking to build trading posts around the world so they could take advantage of the wealth of other nations. In the 1890’s, it seemed silly for the United States to remain isolationist, so they decided to change that and take their place as one of the world powers.
One of the largest catalysts on the changing of the isolation foreign policy was Alfred T. Mahan and his book, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783. In this book, Mahan laid out the strategy of controlling the seas and using ships to become an influential world power. It was his book that laid the groundwork for the development of an expansionist foreign policy. Mahan called for a canal across Panama to connect the east coast with Asian markets, where the United States could sell their surplus products and become an integral part of foreign trade. He also advocated the development of naval bases in the Caribbean and Pacific on islands such as Hawaii, the Philippines, and Cuba. Many politicians of the time agreed with Mahan’s ideas for foreign policy, including President Roosevelt. He advocated Big Stick Diplomacy, the name given to his ideology that the United States should “speak softly but carry a big stick.” He believed that the United States needed to become the police of the Caribbean, stepping into the affairs of other countries when it was necessary in order to maintain the well being of North and South America. This policy became known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine because the United States was confirming their power in the Caribbean rather than European intervention.
Not only did the presidents and influential politicians believe that the United States should begin looking to expand, but the American public agreed. Since the disappearance of the western frontier, Americans had been looking for other ways in which to fulfill their “manifest destiny.” They found these opportunities in the conquering of overseas naval bases that loomed in the future. Of course, taking over other countries was perfectly ethical for Americans because they were the superior race, or so they thought at the time. The ideas of Social Darwinism and Anglo-Saxonism were gaining popularity, as Americans believed that they had the right to take over because they were superior and had responsibilities to colonize so that they could survive as the fittest. The new ideas of expansion linked very well with the personal opinions of people at the time, and so the action the United States took was justified for the people.
After establishing their new ideas as beneficial and morally correct, the United States began implementing their new foreign policy by trying to establish overseas military bases. American planters in Hawaii revolted against the traditional government there and planned to enter the Union, along with Alaska which had just been purchased from Russia. The United States gained the rights to use a coaling station in Pago Pago Harbor, on a Samoan island on the way to Australia. When Venezuela was having border conflicts, the United States intervened. When Cuba went to war with Spain for their independence, again the United States intervened. From this Spanish/American war, they acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and naval rights in Cuba as outlined in the Platt Amendment. After over 50 years of isolationism, in just 10 years the United States had reversed its policies and became an imperial power.
Although isolationism was a good idea for a while, as America grew into an industrial and urban nation, some people felt the need for overseas naval bases to increase trade. America had the potential to become one of the great powers of the world, but they had to break out of their isolated shell in order to gain power. The people supported this decision because they believed in the manifest destiny of the United States, the need to bring democracy to all. Many Americans considered themselves to be superior, and because of that, felt obligated to help those who were inferior. As a result of these feelings, the United States got involved in conflicts that they had no part in, but they gained what they were looking for. At the turn of the 20th century, America had naval bases throughout the Pacific and Caribbean and was considered to be one of the strongest nations in the world.
Works Cited:
Andrew Cayton, America: Pathways to the Present, 2007
Alfred Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, 1890
