Imperialism is the formation and maintenance of an uneven monetary, cultural, and regional relationship. Often the nations that take the form of empires are founded upon control and subordination of their subject nations. Imperialism is taken to be the control of a nation or state over others through the use of military or political means by taking over the government of a particular region. This may also be done through economic processes, in which the government being overruled is legally self-governing but linked to the imperial authority by imbalanced trade relations. Cultural imperialism on the other hand is the subordination of the culture, traditions, and ideologies of the subordinate territory by those of the imperial state. However, the word imperialism is often used to refer to a physical or political domain such as the “American empire” but can also be used to refer to the sphere of expertise, knowledge, and beliefs like Christianity. (Johnston, 2000)
Despite the fact that the U.S had acquired territories and trading rights in different overseas regions before the late 1800s, the years after 1890 formed a season of imperialist movements for the acquisition of more lands and trading markets. The major rationale for the American imperial movements was the need for the acquisition of new markets that would allow for the realization of more profitable investments due to the lower costs involved. This was the case because at the time the levels of production within the American economy had greatly increased to amounts that would not be consumed fully by the local market therefore there was a need for market creation (Johnston, 2000).
The American imperial movements; were also targeted towards the expansion of the territory under the control of the American empire so as to remain competitive within the global economy. This view was aimed at getting cheap resources from foreign countries like the Philippines, where the U.S economy had identified and desired certain mines. Other examples of such moves include the construction of the Nicaraguan canal and the desire to control the resources of Hawaii and Samoa. Examples of these resources that would be achieved from the overseas territories include oil, agricultural products, and sites for the location of industrial production (Beveridge, 1968).
The U.S imperial movements were also meant to create increased national security through acquiring control over territories like Hawaii, Samoa, and Guam which was to be achieved by making these territories a source of military force that would be used in the case of security threats from other empires. Another motive behind the American imperialist movements; was the need for the cheap labor that would be used in boosting the development of the production of the country; that would bring about more foreign income to boost the U.S economy. The U.S government believed that the cheapest way to colonize these other countries was through taking control over the international market. There was also the rationalized religious motive that saw the Americans seek to convert the citizens of other countries into Christianity; by proving to them that their religious beliefs were better, more rational, and civilized. The Americans used the missionaries to achieve this, by offering healthcare services, food stuff, and education that was meant to attract the foreigners into adopting the religion and culture of the Americans (Beveridge, 1968).
The cause of the Spanish-American war was basically to test the imperial strength of Europe, and the extent of harm they would lead to if they were to attempt exercising their power on the American Empire. The war was justified because it was to serve as an evaluation of the imperial control of the American empire, which would play the role of pointing out the level of control they would have in the case that other empires attempted to overthrow them. Despite the fact that War is inhuman, the motive behind the war was right as it also sought to solve the conflict between Cuba and Spain (Johnston, 2000).
The Philippine-American war started after the Philippines acknowledged going into war with the U.S, which took place up to the year 1902 after the leader Aguinaldo surrendered. This war was justified because the Philippines had threatened the U.S against war, therefore the war was in the interest of protecting the empire they had created and sacrificed to build up (Beveridge, 1968).
Imperialism is the perpetuation and maintenance of uneven monetary, territorial and cultural relationships; that is based on control and subordination of the dominated party by the imperial state or nation. The major rationale of an imperialist movement or rule is to control the territory, resources, human labor and to expand the territory of the imperial authority. However, imperialism can take different forms including geographical or political control, trade relations, religious dominance, or cultural override of the culture of the minor state. Some of the causes of the American imperialist movement include; the search for new territories; the need to convert foreigners to Christianity; the need for cheaper resources and labor. However other reasons for the American imperialist movement can be attributed to the political ambitions of the U.S.
References
Beveridge, J. (1968).The Meaning of the Times and Other Speeches.New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company.
Johnston, J. (2000). The Dictionary of Human Geography (4th Ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.