Tiffani Larsen 1B

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, major changes occurred in
American foreign policy. A growth in influence on the organization and affairs
of other nations, increased power, and a new concept of the responsibilities
of the American people were all effects of American imperialism.
The growth of imperialism in America caused a change in the
organization and affairs of other countries. Article VII of document E
illustrates Americas influence in Cuba. The Platt Amendment gave the
United States the right to maintain the independence of Cuba in whatever
way they saw fit. While the government of Cuba was in control, American
principles were evident. As seen in document J, one of the purposes of the
American Asiatic Association was to create a consular service of the United
States in Asia and in Oceania, which shall be founded upon the principles of
uniform selection for proved fitness, of regular promotion, security of tenure
during good service, and adequate compensation. America believed that
their policies were supreme to those of other countries and implemented
these beliefs into their exchanges. The most prominent example of the
United States intended influence on other countries is found in document B.
This excerpt from the Roosevelt Corollary suggests that surrounding nations
should be careful to live up to Americas standards or America would assist
those who failed to do so.
Imperialism also brought an increase in Americas power over the
surrounding nations. Document B makes it clear that the U.S. felt they had a
right to intervene if other countries were not living up to their ideals in. It
states, Chronic wrongdoing, or any impotence which results in a general
loosening of the ties of civilized society, may in America, as elsewhere,
ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation. Foreign nations
were expected to behave in a certain way or America would step in and
correct it. It was the belief and fear of other nations that America would take
control. This fear is validated in the depiction of Uncle Sam in document I.

Tiffani Larsen 1B
The line Uncle Sam wished to add another star to his flag suggests that
America could easily come to power over any country of its choosing.
Americans formed a new concept of their responsibility in their
exchanges with foreign nations. Document A suggests that America had a
responsibility to uplift and civilize the Filipinos. Failure to do so would be
cowardly and dishonorable. Americans had begun to see themselves as the
supreme nation. Other nations were supposedly in need of the greater
education and morals that Americans could provide them. In regards to the
duty of the American people, an excerpt from The March of the Flag states,
have we no mission to perform, no duty to discharge to our fellow-man? Has
God endowed us with gifts beyond our deserts and marked us as the people
of His peculiar favor, merely to rot in our own selfishness? Those who
supported imperialism commonly believed that Americans were supreme and
they had a responsibility to other less fortunate nations to educate and
enlighten them. If they did not share their knowledge with others, they would
neglect their duty to the world. However, those of the Anti-Imperialist
League did not agree with these views. Document G contains an example of
their feelings toward the issue. They believed that the United States was
overstepping its bounds. It reads when the white man governs himself, that
is self-government, but when he governs himself and also governs another
man, that is more than self-governmentthat is despotism.
In conclusion, imperialism caused a change in the organization and
affairs of other countries, an increase in Americas power over the
surrounding nations, and a new concept of the responsibility of American
people in their exchanges.