Imperialism and Expansionism in America (19th century) ROUGH but was A when finsihed out,
... off trade with other groups. The expanding of America borders included Pacific Islands, Alaska, lands gained from the Spanish-American War and the Panama Canal. The new lands were annexed, or taken over as a result of war. During the expansionist times, many islands in the Pacific were annexed by America. One example of this is Midway Island. This island was thought to have had great potential for use as a naval base. Consequently, many nations had their eye on it. Britain, Germany and America all wanted the useful land. Through many discussions among the three countries, it was decided America and Britain would split the island in half, and Germany would benefit otherwise. Another example of an annexed land is that of Hawaii. Its warm climate and fertile soil was an advantage for crop growers. Hawaii originally had many missionaries and planters from America living on its land. Americans had actually helped write Hawaii’s first constitution in 1840. In 1887, the planters forced the Hawaiian king to accept a constitution that reduced royal power and augmented the planter’s influence. After the King passed on, his queen discarded the innovative constitution. However, Queen Liliuokalani’s decline to allow planter’s take over her country, was what set the seizure in action. Queen Liliuokalani reluctantly gave up Hawaii to the Americans. Subsequently Hawaii became annexed. The Spanish American War was furthermore useful in gaining land on behalf of America. For many years, America had thought of annexing Cuba. Their plan, however, only came into action because of the war. In 1868 the Cubans had rebelled against Spanish rule. This fighting caused a domino effect on the downfall of Spain. Spain in return, started the reconcentration policy in Cuba. The United States contemplated action when the rebels burned the sugar cane fields-only because Americans had invested greatly in these. However, the decision was finally made when America itself called for war when the Maine was blown up. After the war, Cuba became an American protectorate. The peace treaty of 1898 was signed by Spain. It granted Cuba its freedom, and gave America Puerto Rico and Guam. Also, in return for 20 million, Spain gave the Philippines to the United States. Some Filipinos, however, did not consent to being given to America. In their eyes, they were just another Spain, just more repression and tyranny. Conversely in America, Albert J. Beveridge explained in his “March of the Flag Speech,” that if America could govern children, territories and colonies without consent, it could do the same with the Philippines. He also declared that he assumed the Filipinos should be grateful for the U.S.’s just act. President McKinley also voiced his opinion by stating that the Philippine’s wish to be given freedom, was in his view, ridiculous. They were supposedly uncivilized, and unfit to create and run a government. He also said he could not turn them back to Spain, or hand them to France or Germany, because it would discredit Americans. However, the treaty was not all accepted in America. Many thought the expansionism concerned violated the democratic policies America itself was built on. Nevertheless, the peace treaty was passed by the senate and America had finally achieved an empire. In order to get the land needed for the canal, the U.S. offered a price for it. However, the Columbians were not keen to give up their land on behalf of building the canal. The Americans shaped a plan that helped both themselves and the Panamanians, who sought liberty. On the day Panama set to rebel against Columbia, Americans anchored an immense war boat in a near harbor; stopping the Columbians from interfering in the revolt. The plan paid off, the Americans attained their desired land on nearly identical terms as those offered to previously to Columbia. Building the Panama brought about many obstacles and much laborious work. Workers in the big dig dealt with tropical diseases contracted from insects. Malaria and Yellow fever were all too com...