Before the late 19th century, none of the American citizens could have imagined that their humble colonial beginnings would eventually contradict its fundamental values to become a global powerhouse with colonial possessions. But as the US exhausted their land in their manifest destiny driven westward expansion, it was inevitable for the country to begin searching for more land and markets. Consequently, the US applied its Monroe Doctrine to intervene in support for the nationalist movement in Cuba in a clever move to defend western democracy and finance capitalism in its foreign investments. This move wasn’t made without disagreement, and the consequences of the war posed new questions. Questions about the nature of the new American empire
…show more content…
This is no different for a country like the US. Just as the US received control of the Philippines in the Treaty of Paris in 1899, British poet Rudyard Kipling publishes a poem titled “The White Man’s Burden” that took to the mainstream in US politics and views on its colonies. The ironic part about this poem is that America now believes that it can become just like its 18th century British oppressors as US sentiments began to align with a British man. Throughout the poem, Kipling dehumanizes and devalues the colonialists to portray them as people that are fundamentally different and inept. That they are comparable to helpless and weak children who need supervision, support, and protection from a parent to grow stronger. This critical theme in dealing with its colonies is called paternalism. Naturally, paternalism reinforces Anglo-Saxon superiority and allows for the US to exert its masculinity when dealing with the Philippines. This feeling of Anglo-Saxon superiority is rooted in the late 19th century movement of social Darwinism, where superior races will ultimately thrive and the weaker races will perish. By being sovereign over the Philippines, the US feels as though they are taking on a burden by preventing the Filipinos from perishing in the context of social Darwinism. Ultimately, Kipling is trying to portray the US as a country that must
This is no different for a country like the US. Just as the US received control of the Philippines in the Treaty of Paris in 1899, British poet Rudyard Kipling publishes a poem titled “The White Man’s Burden” that took to the mainstream in US politics and views on its colonies. The ironic part about this poem is that America now believes that it can become just like its 18th century British oppressors as US sentiments began to align with a British man. Throughout the poem, Kipling dehumanizes and devalues the colonialists to portray them as people that are fundamentally different and inept. That they are comparable to helpless and weak children who need supervision, support, and protection from a parent to grow stronger. This critical theme in dealing with its colonies is called paternalism. Naturally, paternalism reinforces Anglo-Saxon superiority and allows for the US to exert its masculinity when dealing with the Philippines. This feeling of Anglo-Saxon superiority is rooted in the late 19th century movement of social Darwinism, where superior races will ultimately thrive and the weaker races will perish. By being sovereign over the Philippines, the US feels as though they are taking on a burden by preventing the Filipinos from perishing in the context of social Darwinism. Ultimately, Kipling is trying to portray the US as a country that must