To The Person Sitting In The Darkness Analysis

In the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s it was a time where America finally stopped isolating itself and got involved in world affairs. There was a big competition between American and European countries seeing who had more influence on the world. The United States went to war with Spain in order to help Cuba gain their independence. After Cuba was free from Spain, America was given the Philippines as a gift even though we promised the Filipinos independence our only choice was to annex it. This led to a rebellion against America. Imperialism is the domination over a country or region culturally, economically or politically. Imperialism was not proper and a legitimate policy for the United States to use at the beginning of the 20th century …show more content…
Imperialism is not a good policy for the United States as it discredited our reputation as an advocate for democracy. In Mark Twain 's essay ‘To the Person Sitting in the Darkness’ he talks about how our actions in Cuba were “honorable and righteous.” But yet our actions in the Philippines had affected our reputation as a proponent for democracy. The United States actions in Cuba were honorable as we were advocating for democracy we wanted to help the unstable country prosper, while as the United States actions in the Philippines were not honorable as it was barbaric, savage-like and brutal. What is going unsaid in this essay by Mark Twain is why are we going against our ideals, are we not proponents for democracy? Twain is implying that the Chamberlain game has affected us in a way where it is dragging our …show more content…
In John Hay 's open door note he writes a letter to Germany suggestive that American and other European countries should be able to trade wherever they want in China. This helps the United States Economically as we were focus on our county at the time that we were late to the party and did not have a piece of the ‘Sphere of Influence’. The evidence is showing how we are asking to get rid of the sphere of influence and let everyone trade everywhere. It means that because we were late to the party and don 't hold a piece of influence in the sphere the United States feels left out. This helps us economically because we can improve our trade relations and be able to get more resources. From the American Asiatic Association it says that the United States government should be supporting them in developing trade relations. It is implying that Imperialism will make Americans rich so it is a positive method for us. This is how imperialism will improve our trade relations and access to resources around the