sor. After the land was essentially ours, however, it was easy to make it seem like we were right in taking over, at least until the peoples were secure in government and education. If during that time the colonies were used as way stations for U.S. travelers or navy ports, it was all in due thanks to the freeing of the natives, and not in any way imperialistic in nature, or at least that was how it was viewed by most Americans. When the inhabitants were deemed ready by the United States to manage their own lives, perhaps then their countries would be restored to their original status. Through most of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, America emulated the definition of an empire. It took advantage of weaker countries and employed their resources in a sometimes unscrupulous manner. There will always be those who question the aptness of their government, but most of the time they will be in the minority, and whether that group of people is right or wrong does not usually play a part in how much they accomplish. Since those who were vexed at the American imperialistic authority were outshined by those who either couldn’t be concerned by it or believed in expansion and convenience at any cost, the empire grew. What once seemed an impossibility was now a frightening certainty, and those hard-set against it were out of luck. The previous ideals held by the American people were no longer prominent or opportune, and were replaced by those of newer and more stirring nationalism. Pride in our country was extremely important, and to hell with those who sought the well-being of the savage foreigners before the glory of the United States’ destiny....
