At the turn of the 20th century, The U.S used various methods and tactics to expand its territory and influence. They did this by using military intervention, economic control, and political manipulation. The U.S engaged in the Spanish-American War in 1898. This led to the U.S gaining acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. This war created a shift of overseas imperialism. There was also economic imperialism. The U.S exerted control over foreign economies. Specifically in Latin America or in the Pacific where they invested into agriculture while also maintaining dominance over local governments. There was also Territorial Annexation. The U.S annexed Hawaii in 1898. The Philippines was taken as a colony after the Spanish-American War, sparking a war. The throughline podcast describes Minor Keith’s business dealings as “American colonialism” because his banana empire, which became the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita), functioned like an imperial power in Central America. Keith and his company built railroads and infrastructure in exchange for land and tax exemptions, creating monopolies in countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. Also by controlling local economies by making them dependent on banana exports to the U.S. Also by influencing governments and supporting leads favorable to the U.S business interests. The U.S did not formerly govern these countries but maintained control over them with economic dependency and political interference. Minor Keith and the U.S government took dominance over foreign territories, there were differences. Minor Keith’s control was primarily economic with monopolies and investments. But the U.S government used direct military intervention and territorial annexation. Minor Keith was a businessman who was chasing profit and the U.S government had political, strategic military goals like securing naval bases etc. Both of these approaches contributed to American imperialism.
“There Will Be Bananas : Throughline.” NPR.org, 9 Jan. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794302086/there-will-be-bananas.
“There Will Be Bananas : Throughline.” NPR.org, 9 Jan. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794302086/there-will-be-bananas.