After learning about the beginnings of American Imperialism, and viewing the video clip on America's Empire "setting" so to speak, read the attached article entitled "Is America an Empire" from Upfront Magazine, 2003.
PLEASE read the article in it's entirety, and answer the following two questions:
http://www.dps109.org/shepard/websites/dkomie/history8/Documents/Imperialism/Resources/Is%20america%20and%20empire.pdf
1. What are some arguments made in the article that SUPPORT America's expansion around the world? Provide three examples.
2. What are some arguments made in the article that try to show America as an IMPERIAL nation with self-motives? Do you agree or disagree??
Remember to check for SPELLING errors, and write in complete sentences. 5 points possible
1. supports America's expansion:
ReplyDelete-America's global reach and power is the strongest in the world; best military, propelling economy (global commerce), international relations/communications.
-America has the potential to help bring stability and democracy into corrupt countries.
-America has many opportunities (education) open to everyone.
2. I agree that America is an imperial nation; jus like the first part of the article stated: America dominates the globe militarily, economically, and culturally. America recieved such status through "expansion" which really turned out to be imperialism because of the fact that they forced themselves into countries without proper permission(S. They took over and changed countries' ways even though sometimes they were tryin to do for the better (Ex. Iraq, Eqypt, Lybia). It's a nice thing for America to do but it's not our business to butt in and act against their ways.
America's motives are always influenced by spreading democracy or other positive things, but to benefit themselves. America has many sources they need in which they don't have so they look into other countries to get their resources from. "Desperate times calls for desperate measures?"
1.• America can bring stability to otherwise lawless place and we’re friends of freedom, human rights, democracy, and self- determination.
ReplyDelete• America has a huge military that has developed due to our expansion around the world.
• Also, according to George W. Bush, America simply has no territorial ambitions.
2. According to the article, America doesn’t really seem to actually spread stability and democracy. During the Cold War, we ultimately paved the way to years of abusive tyrannies. America also armed and financed corrupt and brutal dictatorships from Central America to Africa Southeast Asia. And when the US supported Islamic militants who were fighting against a Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, we abandoned Afghanistan as soon as the Soviets withdrew, leaving them to years more of chaos. And because the US is such a superpower, it is hard for anyone to influence our impulses. Personally, I feel that America is not an imperial nation. I could just think this because I don’t like to think of my own country as an imperial nation, but I honestly do not think America attempts to take over other nations. I think we truly try to promote peace around the world. We are not necessarily an empire; we have just become a very successful country over the years.
1) In the article it has many arguments made in the atricle that SUPPORT Americas Expansion around the word. In the article it states that " The U.S. economy, by far the world's largest, propels and sets the roles for global commerce " which says that its a good way for the world to look at to be. Also said by Bush in the article, "Our nation is committed to freedom for ourselves and for others." This says how the US is trying to achieve freedom for the world and trying to give everyone their rights as human beings. Finaly, Another example is "Americans think of themselves as the friends of freedom, human rights, democracy, mad selfdetermination"
ReplyDelete2)Said in the article "Niall Ferguson, a conservative British historian, calls the U.S. 'an empire in denial.'" Alsoin the article "But America doesn't have a very solid track record when it comes to spreading stability and democracy around the world." I disagree with the US being imperial. I believe that we try to spread peace and freedom. But on the other hand I also think we try to help out too many countries thought instead of worrying about ourselves. People see us as bad/ imperial because of this because we are too involved sometimes but I dont believe we're Imperial.
- The U.S. economy, by far the world's largest, propels and sets the roles for global commerce.
ReplyDelete-The Bush administration flatly denies the U.S. has become an empire. America has "no territorial ambitions,"
-America now possesses the most
awesome military power the world has ever known, surpassing the military might of the next nine nations
combined.
After reading the article, I agree that America is an imperial nation. It states that America's global reach and power has never been more
feared in parts of the world then now. America has the best military power the world has ever seen, and America has no territorial ambitions.
Thank you for posting!
ReplyDelete1. In this article there are arguments that support America’s expansion around the world. As stated in the article "America is the world's only superpower. It dominates the globe militarily, economically, and culturally.” This being said, it is Americas duty to influence the rest of the world and spread the ideas of its great nation. This statement is supported in the article by British historian Niall Ferguson who urges America to live up to its imperial duties. Ferguson also compares the American empire to the past British Empire. As the most successful economy in the world, he feels that America could positively influence less advanced countries by spreading fostering free markets, good government, and the rule of law. Another way America is able to spread influence around the world is by practicing self defense and confronting political evil. America has been able to contain the spread of terrorism and violence around the world. I support America’s expansion and believe it is beneficial to the world.
ReplyDelete2. On the contrary, there are also some arguments that try to show America as an Imperial nation with self-motives. Historian Karl E. Meyer states “for reasons just or unjust, rational or otherwise, there is widespread unease about American methods and motives, even among the educated foreign elites whose children attend American universities." I do not agree with this statement and do not believe that America has self motives. President Bush denied the US has become and empire and responded to the statement by assuring, "We don't seek an empire. Our nation is committed to freedom for ourselves and for others." He also reassured that America has no territorial ambitions. I believe President Bush’s statements and his statments have proven to be true. I also support the statement, “Americans think of themselves as the friends of freedom, human rights, democracy, mad self determination.” I do not believe America is an imperial nation with self motives.
1. In this article, the US is subjected to the views of the US being okay to expand. In expanding, we are helping other countries, as said in the article, by improving military strategies to help themselves with everyday problems. Also, we become more economically sound. In expanding, our economy benefits with new resources and spending on goods etc. Finally, it makes the US look like a superpower when we are and allows our country to prosper.
ReplyDelete2. I agree that the US can be imperial at a certain extent. For example, under the Bush administration and our involvement in Iraq, the US was more imperial at this time. Now, in the time of the current recession we are more focused on that then by means of expansion. The US being imperial at times is for our self-gain as a country as a whole and a surge for the better made by the government.