The Pros and Cons of ImperialismThe Pros and Cons of Imperialism

Thoughts on United States Thoughts on United States ImperialismImperialism

Reasons for the US to Expand Overseas:

• Continental frontier was not adequate– US needed “elbow room”

Reasons for (continued)

• US belief in cultural superiority– Race, values, religion, and economics– Goal was to civilize the world– Helping “lesser peoples”

**Ethnocentrism****Ethnocentrism**

Reasons for (continued)

• Industrialization– Increase in productivity=need for new markets– natural resources

Reasons for (continued)

• Social Darwinism– “survival of the fittest” applied to people AND

nations

Anti-Imperialism Arguments

• Unchristian • Imperialism is

undemocratic• Lack of resources to

defend acquired territories

Anti-Imperialism (continued)

• Stay out of European affairs– Use the two oceans to protect us– Stay isolated

• Imperialism= tyranny– US was a colony of Great Britain once

Anti-Imperialism (continued)

• There is no need to expand overseas– Country has everything it needs

Political Cartoon Activity

• Look at each political cartoon– Argument being made for or against imperialism– List the details of each cartoon

Bill Walker

Anti-Imperialism

Theodore Roosevelt

Pro-Imperialism

Howard Zinn

Anti-Imperialism

Ernest Crosby

Anti-Imperialism

Rudyard Kipling

Pro-Imperialism