The United States during the turn of the 20th Century became an economic powerhouse. Their strong economy allowed them to expand territorially.
The United States in 1809 was the world's most productive economy. Britain was the closest competitor at the time and yet only produced half as much. During the late 19th century Americans' belief of uplifting “backward” people globally grew. Protestant religious missionaries sought to establish missions in Asia and Africa and by 1890 had 500 missions in China.
The actions of Minor Keith in Central America that was shared in the Throughline podcast, dove into American colonialism. The difference between imperialism and colonialism is able to show how the United States was able to exercise their power through economic influence and government intervention.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States put forth a combination of economic control, political influence, and military force to expand its power. William Seward, the secretary of state envisioned expansion and the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for 72 million dollars, as well as acquiring the Midway Islands in the Pacific. The Spanish/American war of 1898 is another important representation of expansion as it led to the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The acquisition of these territories were justified with the ideology of “white man's burden”. The annexation of Hawaii in the year 1898 was able to show how American business interest and government actions work together to extend American influence. Additionally the open door policy in China further showed economic imperialism as the United States tried to establish free trade, avoiding direct colonization.
The Throughline podcast describes Minor Keith's business adventures in Central America as an example of “American colonialism”. Keith was a businessman who played a huge role in building railroads within Costa Rica and was also able to expand his influence to other Central American nations due to the help of the United Fruit company. His company owned and controlled vast amounts of land and infrastructure. Therefore dictating economic and political conditions within the region. Although this was not a formal government action, this display of dominance mirrors that of traditional colonialism as it has given the United States the ability to control resources and labor without military occupation. A term known as “banana republic” shaped the political landscape of nations through American businesses.
While Keith’s empire functions as a form of colonialism, the United States government used military force and political pressure to assert their dominance. In the Philippines the United States tried to suppress Filipino resistance after acquiring the territory from Spain, resulting in a brutal conflict.
The expansion of the United States at the turn of the 20th century experienced imperialism and economic colonialism. While the federal government used military and political force to control territories within the Pacific, private businessmen like Minor Keith were able to extend American influence in Central America through economic dominance. Both approaches demonstrate how the United States established itself as a global power.
Works Cited
CrashCourse. “American Imperialism: Crash Course US History #28.” YouTube, 5 Sept. 2013, .“Digital History.”
Www.digitalhistory.uh.edu, 2021, www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3158.“
There Will Be Bananas : Throughline.” NPR.org, 9 Jan. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794302086/there-will-be-bananas.
The United States in 1809 was the world's most productive economy. Britain was the closest competitor at the time and yet only produced half as much. During the late 19th century Americans' belief of uplifting “backward” people globally grew. Protestant religious missionaries sought to establish missions in Asia and Africa and by 1890 had 500 missions in China.
The actions of Minor Keith in Central America that was shared in the Throughline podcast, dove into American colonialism. The difference between imperialism and colonialism is able to show how the United States was able to exercise their power through economic influence and government intervention.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States put forth a combination of economic control, political influence, and military force to expand its power. William Seward, the secretary of state envisioned expansion and the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for 72 million dollars, as well as acquiring the Midway Islands in the Pacific. The Spanish/American war of 1898 is another important representation of expansion as it led to the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The acquisition of these territories were justified with the ideology of “white man's burden”. The annexation of Hawaii in the year 1898 was able to show how American business interest and government actions work together to extend American influence. Additionally the open door policy in China further showed economic imperialism as the United States tried to establish free trade, avoiding direct colonization.
The Throughline podcast describes Minor Keith's business adventures in Central America as an example of “American colonialism”. Keith was a businessman who played a huge role in building railroads within Costa Rica and was also able to expand his influence to other Central American nations due to the help of the United Fruit company. His company owned and controlled vast amounts of land and infrastructure. Therefore dictating economic and political conditions within the region. Although this was not a formal government action, this display of dominance mirrors that of traditional colonialism as it has given the United States the ability to control resources and labor without military occupation. A term known as “banana republic” shaped the political landscape of nations through American businesses.
While Keith’s empire functions as a form of colonialism, the United States government used military force and political pressure to assert their dominance. In the Philippines the United States tried to suppress Filipino resistance after acquiring the territory from Spain, resulting in a brutal conflict.
The expansion of the United States at the turn of the 20th century experienced imperialism and economic colonialism. While the federal government used military and political force to control territories within the Pacific, private businessmen like Minor Keith were able to extend American influence in Central America through economic dominance. Both approaches demonstrate how the United States established itself as a global power.
Works Cited
CrashCourse. “American Imperialism: Crash Course US History #28.” YouTube, 5 Sept. 2013, .“Digital History.”
Www.digitalhistory.uh.edu, 2021, www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3158.“
There Will Be Bananas : Throughline.” NPR.org, 9 Jan. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794302086/there-will-be-bananas.