During the late 1800s and early 1900s America was one of the contenders for land owned in various locations in the world such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The events held never took place in the U.S., but the opposing countries. In his speech “The paralyzing Influence of Imperialism”, William Jennings Bryan contends the thought of America becoming an imperial power, and whether or not the United States should permanently hold the Philippine Islands. Theodore Roosevelt in his speech “The Strenuous Life” argues that the people of the nation must support it while it is fighting to determine how people in centuries to come will live in America. In the text United States History & Geography, the author Joyce Appleby describes the
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All three of the texts provide a thoughtful viewpoint of what must be done in these times, in order to better benefit America, and provide a bright future. Bryan’s would evaluate the ambitions of imperialists as inhumane due to their hunger for dominance, and blindness to the effects it would bring upon the nation. There should never be a country that abandons it is culture, and be ruled by another empire, due to the foreign countries hunger for dominance. Americans wanted to replicate the Europeans imperial ambitions, which were expanding beyond their means. It is said that, “Americans believed the nation was destined to expand overseas to spread its civilization to others.”(143) Roosevelt’s perspective is that if America does not jump to the idea of dominance, then a power greater will take that opportunity. Roosevelt says that, “the bolder and stronger people will pass us by, and will win for themselves the …show more content…
The idea of the United States becoming an imperial power was a decision that was for the commonwealth of people although they’re consent was not given. The United States faced a difficult choice which was whether they should “remain true to [their] republican ideas or become an imperial power that ruled a foreign country without the consent of its people”(149). Remaining true to Americas existing ideas would not advance it as a country, and would lead to it being stagnant, and not expanding it’s thoughts to foreign countries. Bryan agrees that America cannot do this because it will result in America being a lesser power. He says that “We cannot repudiate the principle of self government in the Philippines without weakening that principle here.” The United States ruling over the Philippines was better for them because it helped grow a structure, and basis for a government. They wouldn’t be able to do so as an independent country due to financial, agricultural, and various other reason. Although it’s said that “imperialism violated American principles”(149), it is beneficial to the progress of the world then it shouldn’t matter if it violates principles, because those principles are holding back the potential of a better civilization. Thus America to become an imperial power, is determining whether or not it
All three of the texts provide a thoughtful viewpoint of what must be done in these times, in order to better benefit America, and provide a bright future. Bryan’s would evaluate the ambitions of imperialists as inhumane due to their hunger for dominance, and blindness to the effects it would bring upon the nation. There should never be a country that abandons it is culture, and be ruled by another empire, due to the foreign countries hunger for dominance. Americans wanted to replicate the Europeans imperial ambitions, which were expanding beyond their means. It is said that, “Americans believed the nation was destined to expand overseas to spread its civilization to others.”(143) Roosevelt’s perspective is that if America does not jump to the idea of dominance, then a power greater will take that opportunity. Roosevelt says that, “the bolder and stronger people will pass us by, and will win for themselves the …show more content…
The idea of the United States becoming an imperial power was a decision that was for the commonwealth of people although they’re consent was not given. The United States faced a difficult choice which was whether they should “remain true to [their] republican ideas or become an imperial power that ruled a foreign country without the consent of its people”(149). Remaining true to Americas existing ideas would not advance it as a country, and would lead to it being stagnant, and not expanding it’s thoughts to foreign countries. Bryan agrees that America cannot do this because it will result in America being a lesser power. He says that “We cannot repudiate the principle of self government in the Philippines without weakening that principle here.” The United States ruling over the Philippines was better for them because it helped grow a structure, and basis for a government. They wouldn’t be able to do so as an independent country due to financial, agricultural, and various other reason. Although it’s said that “imperialism violated American principles”(149), it is beneficial to the progress of the world then it shouldn’t matter if it violates principles, because those principles are holding back the potential of a better civilization. Thus America to become an imperial power, is determining whether or not it