Chapter 9: Becoming a World Power, 1890-1913

Reflection

Becoming a World Power 1890-1913

            During the 1890’s the United States began to produce more products and goods than what they could consume. Sooner or later, many business and political leaders began to pursue new markets outside the United States. Inspired by grand dreams of empire, some Americans pushed for new territory as well. As the nation grew into a world power, however, a troubling question arose in some citizen’s mind. The Unites States had in mind the following: a country born in a war for independence from colonial rule become a colonial power itself-without betraying the principles of liberty and equality on which it was founded by the father of independence? The United States became also the police man of Latin America trying to spread democracy with somewhat level of Protestantism.

            In the late 1800’s, the United States began bursting at the seams with more goods than the nation could consume. If there was not consumption of the products being made the United States would have entered on a depression.  Soon other governments of the world summoned government and business leaders eager to sell those extra goods. As the US sought to increase its influences abroad, it frequently found itself feuding with other nations. After the Spanish-American War confirmed the nation’s status as a world power, but it made people argue on how to rule over new territories.

            Theodore Roosevelt, some thought he was a hero or a wild man; he conducted vigorous foreign policy that suited the new status of the US as world power. Although President William Howard Taft continued Roosevelt’s policies, he preferred a quieter, more subtle approach to influencing other nations. After the Spanish-American War, the debates and eagerness arose as if it was appropriate for the United States to continue to throw its net around other nations and drag them under American influence and control. Anti-Imperialists used a variety of arguments against the acquisition of territories.

            Although the United States became the world Police, it was not impressive that it would demand serious foreign reforms due to its expansion.  Theodore Roosevelt became a great public and influential figure during the 1890-1908 with all his expansions and acquiring of new territories. The new nation which arose from colonial domination now became in a way a freedom fighter for the European colonies. Spreading democracy and a somewhat level Christianization in Latin America became also their expansion. Without the expansion that occurred, the United States would have gotten stuck in a depression due to its massive production of goods. Furthermore the United States helped democracy expand around the world.