After the end of Reconstruction in 1876, many Americans experienced a resurgence of expansionist ideology and imperialism. As a newly united country, many advocated the growth of the American “Empire” and acquisition of new territories in places like Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, arguing that it would help to further unite the people of the country, provide the chance to civilise or “Christianize” other nations, and spread democracy. However, many opposed these interventionist ideals, claiming the admittance of “unfit” individuals to American society would in turn weaken the country as a whole, that wars fought to acquire territory spurred bloodshed and riots in the home country, that a republic would lose its democratic
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He sought to justify this verdict by arguing that the Filipinos were uneducated and uncivil, and that it was America’s right and duty to “Christianise” them (Document 3). McKinley proclaimed this to a church delegation, probably occupied by a majority of white Anglo-Saxon protestant men and women, as they are most likely to support his motivation and Christian initiative (Intended Audience, Document 3). This showed the heavy emphasis American’s national identity at that time placed on Christianity. Future President Theodore Roosevelt also upheld the decision to annex the Philippines, using the reasoning that if America were not to take up leadership after Spanish rule, their government would descend into anarchy (Document 5). As well as being a strong appeal to the American ideal of democracy, the language he uses in the speech that proclaims these ideals reinforces what would later be known as his “speak softly and carry a big stick” attitude towards foreign policy. Roosevelt condemns cowardice and timidity by opponents of annexation because of his bias towards aggressive action and outspoken politics (Point of View, Document 5). Here, he shows the influence of democracy on the concept of national identity, as republican ideals are the foundation of American society. Both of these arguments are similar to …show more content…
E. E. Cooper, an African American Editor, believed that territorial conflicts (in this case the Spanish-American War) would be beneficial to African American rights in the military and society (Document 1). Though many powerful black leaders, such as W. E. B. Du Bois, who condemned the war, Cooper contradicts African American popular opinion by arguing that mobilization of the military would result in “a more compact brotherhood”, and that whites would soon abandon racial prejudice. He intended this to be a rally cry for African American males to join the army and help unite the country socially (Intended Purpose, Document 1), however, his cry went largely unnoticed. One can draw from this that support for overseas expansion did not rest solely in the elite, and some believed it might actually bring social reform (a desire based on Progressive Era
He sought to justify this verdict by arguing that the Filipinos were uneducated and uncivil, and that it was America’s right and duty to “Christianise” them (Document 3). McKinley proclaimed this to a church delegation, probably occupied by a majority of white Anglo-Saxon protestant men and women, as they are most likely to support his motivation and Christian initiative (Intended Audience, Document 3). This showed the heavy emphasis American’s national identity at that time placed on Christianity. Future President Theodore Roosevelt also upheld the decision to annex the Philippines, using the reasoning that if America were not to take up leadership after Spanish rule, their government would descend into anarchy (Document 5). As well as being a strong appeal to the American ideal of democracy, the language he uses in the speech that proclaims these ideals reinforces what would later be known as his “speak softly and carry a big stick” attitude towards foreign policy. Roosevelt condemns cowardice and timidity by opponents of annexation because of his bias towards aggressive action and outspoken politics (Point of View, Document 5). Here, he shows the influence of democracy on the concept of national identity, as republican ideals are the foundation of American society. Both of these arguments are similar to …show more content…
E. E. Cooper, an African American Editor, believed that territorial conflicts (in this case the Spanish-American War) would be beneficial to African American rights in the military and society (Document 1). Though many powerful black leaders, such as W. E. B. Du Bois, who condemned the war, Cooper contradicts African American popular opinion by arguing that mobilization of the military would result in “a more compact brotherhood”, and that whites would soon abandon racial prejudice. He intended this to be a rally cry for African American males to join the army and help unite the country socially (Intended Purpose, Document 1), however, his cry went largely unnoticed. One can draw from this that support for overseas expansion did not rest solely in the elite, and some believed it might actually bring social reform (a desire based on Progressive Era