The Pros and Cons of Imperialism
At the Turn of the 20th Century
US History I
Unit 2
Reasons for the US to Expand
Overseas:
• The US needed to continue its frontier
experience overseas
– Continental frontier was not longer adequate
for the population.
– US needed “elbow room”
Reasons for (continued)
• US belief in cultural superiority
– Race, values, religion, and economics
– Goal was to civilize the world
– Helping “lesser peoples”
**Ethnocentrism**
Reasons for (continued)
• Imperialism was the product of strains in
US society due to industrialization
– Increase in productivity=need for new markets
to expand into
– US needs more natural resources
Reasons for (continued)
• Social Darwinism was a prominent belief
– People believed that “survival of the fittest”
applied to people AND nations
Anti-Imperialism Arguments
• Goes against beliefs of Christianity to
force people to “follow suit” (most
Americans were Christians at this time)
• Imperialism is undemocratic
• US does not have the military capabilities
to protect an overseas empire
Anti-Imperialism (continued)
• Stay out of European affairs
– Use the two oceans to protect us
– Stay isolated
• Imperialism= tyranny
– US was a colony of Great Britain once
Anti-Imperialism (continued)
• There is no need to expand overseas
– US is a vast nation
– Plenty of natural resources
– Plenty of markets for goods
Discussion Questions
• How do the justifications for imperialism
have their roots in the Progressive
Movement?
• …in the Industrial Revolution?