American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper

American Imperialism (American History) - Research Paper Example It said that America was interested in the development of the countries in the western hemisphere and that any European country should not wield its imperialistic power in its domain. Though America was not as powerful as Great Britain or France in its powers at that time, it used the Monroe Doctrine to back its action of sending troops to Mexico against the French in 1866 and its acquiring of Alaska in 1867. One of the economic reasons for the foreign policy was to acquire more markets for American Industrial products. When one of American battleship exploded suddenly under the sea, US pointed its blaming fingers at Spain. The foreign policy made the US send troops to Cuba to fight against Spain domination of Cuba. William McKinley, the US president sent military troops to Cuba leading Spain and Us to declare war against each other. Eventually, Spain lost Puerto Rico and Guam to the US. Soon, America was contesting for the position of world power manifesting its power in the world scene. American journalist John used the term ‘Manifest Destiny’ in 1895, which was used to justify all actions of US in imperialism and expansion, acquisition of California and Alaska. As Michael Chimes says, that in the years that led to the Spanish American war, America saw the rise of ethnocentrism, manifest destiny, and Anglo-Saxonism. It was further fueled by nationalism. These gave the rationale behind America’s imperialism and foreign policy of the 18th and early 19th century. He discusses the philosophical underpinnings of the American Foreign Policy that led to Imperialism. He says: America’s rise to world power occurred in the fifty-year period between 1870-1920.   The Spanish-American War may be seen as the â€Å"point of no return,† the foreign policy event that conclusively committed us to imperial strength and a global presence.