NewAmericanImperialism.docxVIP

American history: ImperialismAngela Class 14 There was a strong sense of imperialism during the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century in America. It was different from the old European imperialism, which was to colonize other country though they had the same name. Many people and special interests would benefit directly from the imperialism though there were still few people opposed it. There are many evidences in Howard Zinn’s essay. In the year of 1890, the Internal frontier was closed and people could not seek for economics opportunities by simply moving to the west. At the same time, the big problem of depression took place in America. Because of the trust, there was surplus that made the supply and the need unbalanced so underconsumption was a serious problem. The best way for the big businesses to overcome the problem was to find another market for their products so the imperialism was used to “open the door”. The chief of the Bureau of Foreign Commerce of the Department of Commerce wrote about that period: It was seen to be necessary for us not only to find foreign purchasers for our goods, but also to provide the means of making access to foreign markets easy, economical and safe. Here are two examples from a list of Instances of the Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad 1798-1945: 1853-54 -- Japan -- The Opening of Japan and the Perry Expedition. [The State Department does not give more details, but this involved the use of warships to force Japan to open its ports to the United States] 1894 -- Nicaragua -- To protect American interests at Bluefield following a revolution. It showed that the imperialism is based on the economics at that period. Many big businesses found new market for their over produced goods. During the war in Cuba and Philippine, many munitions benefited from the imperialism. The war also saved the industry of iron and coal. The United Mine Workers pointed to higher coal prices as a result of the war and said: