Throughout history, the United States has sought to expand its territories, particularly at the turn of the 2oth century. They used military power, economic influence, and political maneuvering to establish itself as a dominant force.At the turn of the 2oth century, the United States embrace imperialism, it acquired overseas territories and extended its influence into regions such as Latin America and the Pacific.Like the westward expansion era, this time brought about a shift from continental expansion to overseas imperialism. They aimed at achieving new markets,resources and advances.
One of the key aspects of this expansion was the difference between formal territorial acquisitions through direct government action and economic control exerted by private individuals and corporations. In the case of Minor Keith, a businessman who had ventured into Central America which led to American dominance in the region, is a great example on how the private enterprise played a role in colonial-style exploitation. His business dealings, particularly through the United Fruit Company, were referred to as “American colonialism” in the Throughline podcast because they allowed the U.S. to control foreign economies without directly governing those nations. At the same time, the U.S. government engaged in direct imperial conquests, such as the annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam following the Spanish-American War. Tactics of American Expansion.
The United States employed several key tactics to expand its influence at the turn of the 20th century. One of the most significant methods was military intervention.The United States employed several key tactics to expand its influence at the turn of the 20th century. One of the most significant methods was military intervention. The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, as it had led to the acquisition of overseas territories and cemented America’s role as a global power. The war, fought under the intention of liberating Cuba from Spanish rule, resulted in the U.S. gaining control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Another key strategy that the United States instilled was economic dominance, exerting its power through trade and investment. The Open Door Policy in China, for example, allowed the U.S. to gain access to Chinese markets without formal territorial control.Within Latin America, American businesses secured vast amounts of land and resources, ensuring economic dependence on U.S. interests. This approach was able to allow the U.S. to benefit from foreign resources and markets while avoiding the costs and responsibilities of direct governance. Political and diplomatic pressure also played a crucial role in expansion. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, introduced by President Theodore Roosevelt in the year 1904, justified U.S. intervention in Latin America whenever American interests were threatened. This policy enabled the U.S. to act as an international police force in the Western Hemisphere, often supporting regimes that favored American business interests while suppressing opposition movements.
Although military force and direct governance were crucial to U.S. imperialism, private enterprises also played a significant role in American expansion. Minor Keith, a businessman with extensive operations in Central America, exemplifies how economic control could function as a form of colonialism. Keith gained influence by constructing railroads in Costa Rica, a project that was financially backed by the Costa Rican government but soon left the country deeply indebted to him. Over time, he expanded his operations by acquiring vast amounts of land, particularly for banana plantations, which became the foundation of what would later be known as the United Fruit Company. Through his business empire, Keith was able to exercise enormous control over Central American nations, shaping their economies to serve American commercial interests. His company had dominance over land, transportation, and labor which therefore created a system in which local governments became dependent on American business investments. This display of “control” mirrors the traditional colonial structures, where foreign powers could exploit a region’s resources while still maintaining the political and economic supremacy. In my opinion it is for this reason that the Throughline podcast describes Keith’s actions as “American colonialism”—though the U.S. government did not formally annex these territories the American corporations effectively controlled them.The United Fruit Company had a strong influence, which led to the rise of: “banana republics”. This term was used to show how politically unstable countries within Latin America were heavily influenced and controlled by foreign corporations.
The Philippine-American War (1899–1902) was a direct consequence of U.S. imperialism, as Filipino nationalists, who had fought against Spanish rule, resisted American occupation. The conflict was marked by brutal military tactics, including scorched-earth campaigns, mass executions, and the use of concentration camps to suppress resistance. The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and highlighted the contradictions of American expansionism, while the U.S. claimed to be spreading democracy and civilization, it employed violent, oppressive measures to maintain control over its new territories. Similarly, in the Pacific, the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 demonstrated how American business and government interests worked hand in hand.Originally, American businessmen, particularly those in the sugar industry, played a key role in destabilizing the Hawaiian monarchy. With the support of the U.S. government, these business interests orchestrated the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, leading to Hawaii’s eventual annexation.
While these methods differed from each other, both help illustrate how the US was able to extend its power through economic dominance and military intervention.The expansion of the United States at the turn of the 20th century was driven by both direct imperialism and economic colonialism. The federal government had used military force and political pressure to acquire the territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean, while private businessmen like Minor Keith extended American influence through economic dominance in Central America. Economic interests were a fuel for political interventions.
One of the key aspects of this expansion was the difference between formal territorial acquisitions through direct government action and economic control exerted by private individuals and corporations. In the case of Minor Keith, a businessman who had ventured into Central America which led to American dominance in the region, is a great example on how the private enterprise played a role in colonial-style exploitation. His business dealings, particularly through the United Fruit Company, were referred to as “American colonialism” in the Throughline podcast because they allowed the U.S. to control foreign economies without directly governing those nations. At the same time, the U.S. government engaged in direct imperial conquests, such as the annexation of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam following the Spanish-American War. Tactics of American Expansion.
The United States employed several key tactics to expand its influence at the turn of the 20th century. One of the most significant methods was military intervention.The United States employed several key tactics to expand its influence at the turn of the 20th century. One of the most significant methods was military intervention. The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, as it had led to the acquisition of overseas territories and cemented America’s role as a global power. The war, fought under the intention of liberating Cuba from Spanish rule, resulted in the U.S. gaining control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Another key strategy that the United States instilled was economic dominance, exerting its power through trade and investment. The Open Door Policy in China, for example, allowed the U.S. to gain access to Chinese markets without formal territorial control.Within Latin America, American businesses secured vast amounts of land and resources, ensuring economic dependence on U.S. interests. This approach was able to allow the U.S. to benefit from foreign resources and markets while avoiding the costs and responsibilities of direct governance. Political and diplomatic pressure also played a crucial role in expansion. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, introduced by President Theodore Roosevelt in the year 1904, justified U.S. intervention in Latin America whenever American interests were threatened. This policy enabled the U.S. to act as an international police force in the Western Hemisphere, often supporting regimes that favored American business interests while suppressing opposition movements.
Although military force and direct governance were crucial to U.S. imperialism, private enterprises also played a significant role in American expansion. Minor Keith, a businessman with extensive operations in Central America, exemplifies how economic control could function as a form of colonialism. Keith gained influence by constructing railroads in Costa Rica, a project that was financially backed by the Costa Rican government but soon left the country deeply indebted to him. Over time, he expanded his operations by acquiring vast amounts of land, particularly for banana plantations, which became the foundation of what would later be known as the United Fruit Company. Through his business empire, Keith was able to exercise enormous control over Central American nations, shaping their economies to serve American commercial interests. His company had dominance over land, transportation, and labor which therefore created a system in which local governments became dependent on American business investments. This display of “control” mirrors the traditional colonial structures, where foreign powers could exploit a region’s resources while still maintaining the political and economic supremacy. In my opinion it is for this reason that the Throughline podcast describes Keith’s actions as “American colonialism”—though the U.S. government did not formally annex these territories the American corporations effectively controlled them.The United Fruit Company had a strong influence, which led to the rise of: “banana republics”. This term was used to show how politically unstable countries within Latin America were heavily influenced and controlled by foreign corporations.
The Philippine-American War (1899–1902) was a direct consequence of U.S. imperialism, as Filipino nationalists, who had fought against Spanish rule, resisted American occupation. The conflict was marked by brutal military tactics, including scorched-earth campaigns, mass executions, and the use of concentration camps to suppress resistance. The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and highlighted the contradictions of American expansionism, while the U.S. claimed to be spreading democracy and civilization, it employed violent, oppressive measures to maintain control over its new territories. Similarly, in the Pacific, the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 demonstrated how American business and government interests worked hand in hand.Originally, American businessmen, particularly those in the sugar industry, played a key role in destabilizing the Hawaiian monarchy. With the support of the U.S. government, these business interests orchestrated the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, leading to Hawaii’s eventual annexation.
While these methods differed from each other, both help illustrate how the US was able to extend its power through economic dominance and military intervention.The expansion of the United States at the turn of the 20th century was driven by both direct imperialism and economic colonialism. The federal government had used military force and political pressure to acquire the territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean, while private businessmen like Minor Keith extended American influence through economic dominance in Central America. Economic interests were a fuel for political interventions.