Age Of Imperialism Analysis

The end of the 1800s was known as the ‘Age of Imperialism ‘.At this time Imperialism in America was big, America wanted to extended the country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force they also wanted to expand their territory and foreign policy help them do this. Although , many people believed the foreign policy was based on idealism, it was based on realism because the US would enter wars guided by reason and rationally. America almost alway enter a war because of imperialism, territorial expansion, and Neutralism .
One way that the US foreign policy was motivated by realism was because of manifest destiny and to sell their resources in the Acquisition of Samoa and Mexican War show how the foreign policy was based on …show more content…
In the Spanish American War , America join the war because on February 15, 1898 The Battleship Maine, which had been sent to Havana to provide a naval presence there exploded and sank, causing the death of 266 sailors. The United States declared war on Spain as an effort to assume control of Cuba from Spain and also to show national pride that no one can do something to the US and get away with it. During this event American demonstrated realist viewpoint because they didn't know what exactly what had happened to the USS marin but because of yellow journalism they just assumed that Spain had blow it up because the US was helping cuba gain control but not knowing exactly the US still went into war just to show pride and to increase their land. Another example is in the War of 1812 according to History Alive , the US was motivated to join the war of 1812 for free trade and sailors right , the expansion to canada and to defend neutrality in order to trade with France in peace. This means by the US joining they could expand their land and have a good relationship with france so they could have peaceful trades. This relates to realism because the US reasons to enter was guided by rationally because they knew they would benefit by …show more content…
In Puerto Rico After the Spanish American War the U.S. set up a military government, schools, and a postal service. Puerto Ricans began to grow frustrated with American rule because they were neither U.S. citizens nor Independent. In 1917 the Jones Act Jones Wilson made Puerto Rico a U.S. territory but still no rights. Puerto Rico has control over their laws and finances but decisions on defense and tariffs are in the U.S. hands. This suggest the foreign policy was based on realism because the US gained Puerto Rico and were able to control Puerto Rico defense and tariffs . Another example is in Hawaii at the time Hawaii was ruled by queen Liliuokalani as a Monarchy and U.S. military overthrows the queen and annexed Hawaii, making it part of the United States as a territory in 1900. This relates to realism because the US kicked Hawaii queen out so they could have Hawaii as part of the US.
In conclusion , in the 1800’s the US foreign policy was based on realism because the US would enter wars guided by reason and rationally. As shown most of the time America entered a war was because of of imperialism, territorial expansion, and Neutralism . Although , many people believed the foreign policy was based on idealism, it was based on realism because the US would enter wars guided by reason and rationally the US would join in on wars so that they could benefit themselves.