Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Miscellaneous imperialism imperialism American imperialism seems at first to be an oxymoron. After all, when this country was established, it was done so by a group of people fleeing the imperialistic oppression of their own homeland. These people had a dream of creating a place where a man could live for himself, free of the subjugation of his government or any other coercive force. This seemed like a relatively simple dream to fulfill at the time, when America was new and lacking the corruption of power. As it grew, however, the simplistic approach to life in the U.S. altered drastically. The power that came with the size and wealth that was soon associated with America brought changes in attitude. Why should America limit its ambition to one continent when so much opportunity lie beyond? What it meant to be American was no longer to be free, it was to have power. Those who still clung to the ideals of an enlightened existence in an unconventional government were overrun by those craving a more opportunistic one. Webster defines imperialism as “the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas, or broadly, the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence.” Though some may not know it, and others may not want to admit it, that is exactly what America did. In a lull of such local problems as reconstruction and industrialization, Manifest Destiny was once again sovereign of the American initiative. The idea of the convenience and prosperity that control of worldwide colonies promised was easy to embrace, and the conquering of those lands was nearly as easy. With a massively superior navy and the support of more than adequate ground forces, America swept over several Spanish colonies, including Cuba and the Philippines, under the pretence that they would be freed from their oppressor. 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. Bibliography: none Word Count: 618
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