Jenae Radford
Mrs. Palmer
U.S. History
November 25 2017
Imperialism Dialogue Portfolio Project:
William Mckinley- I wholeheartedly believe imperialism is necessary for the united to grow and prosper throughout this world. I hold many expansionist plans to help America grow economically and set up a sense of superiority and international status. I trust in Social Darwinism and that God gave America the duty to help inferior races, which we must do through expansion. I desire expanding and favor holding on to the territories and empires we already have. America must be concerned with having access to global markets, especially those in China that are threatened by other European powers. Lastly, I support broadening our foreign trade, expanding our military bases, and going beyond our geological borders to achieve these imperialistic goals for the sole purpose to better our country.
Mark Twain- I am a firm believer that American Imperialism goes against everything this country was built on. I am apart of the Anti Imperialist League because I am against controlling people and countries that should be free just as we are in the united states. I believe we should let foreign countries make their own political and domestic choices without outward interference. Before becoming a strict anti-imperialist, I was a pro imperialist, but this was before i looked into the Treaty of Paris and understood of our ideals about war with other countries and imperialist desires for more control and power, rather than to help. Lastly, the main reason I am against
imperialism is due to how we have gone against our constitution and dishonored our Flag by choosing to take freedom away from others instead of setting countries free.
Argument #1
Mckinley- I believe that American imperialism is justified because God gave america the duty to help other inferior countries through social Darwinism, which we must fulfill through expansion and making them as free as we are ourselves. We must uplift, civilize and Christianize foreign nations.
Twain- You are wrong. You have not truly read what Imperialism does. You say you want to help other countries become free, but all you want is to do is control them rather than let them make their own choices and own government. You are forcefully establishing trade markets and making people change their cultures for the better of only yourself without the input of the citizens.
McKinley No Mark, have you read about my policy? No? The McKinley policy is all about creating a strong American empire by liberating Cuba through the war with Spain, gaining the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to help not only our trade market, but theirs as well. Also by pursuing an “Open Door” policy, American is creating commercial interests in China and helping the United States hold a stronger position in world trade markets that will help our economy. By going forth in theses policies, I am not controlling foreign nations, but helping them help us, through financial aspects and others. My bold foreign policy allowed for the United States to play an increasingly active role in world affairs, which is continuing to help us to this day.
Twain- Actually, by doing what you call helping, is really turning our country into a greedy nation because you are not allowing the citizens of these foreign countries we are taking over have any input in America coming in. Imperialism is a selfish political tactic made only to help our economy and our country, by destroying the freedom of others, which is wrong and immoral.
Argument #2
Twain- Imperialism is arguably one of the worst decisions America can make at this time. Due to the fact that war is potentially a result of imperialism, why should we pursue this political movement. It is in America's best interest to stay out of foreign affairs and use our geological position to remain isolated and protected.
McKinley
If war is your concern, I can assure you that as President, our military will be strengthened through our choice of establishing overseas military bases. The only thing to make this strengthening possible is the use of imperialism itself. You say you want to protect our nation, but the only reason we are protected is because of our superior military, which will slowly become more inferior if we do not take advantage of imperialism.
Twain As an American citizen, I agree that our military needs to be powerful, but imperialism is not the way to do it and not only is imperialism unnecessary to help us achieve these goals, but will also make new problems arise such as creating dangerous relationships with foreign nations and encouraging the want for violence and force to keep America the strongest.
McKinley Imperialism will not create new problems, but resolve old ones. The only for our nation to succeed is through helping foreign nations which not make bad relationships, but strengthen the ones we already have with them. America will be given a sense of widespread respect and admiration from foreign countries across our oceans. As a result, in the long run will create potential allies that will come to our advantage if necessary to keep our citizens and lands protected.