US Imperialism (1890-1920)

Question 1

Accidental Empire Theory

Answer 1

• Historian: Harold Evans
• Argued that the US never actually sought an empire at all
• US had no economic motives for an empire as they were carrying out a huge amount of trade with Britain
• 1898: US only annexed the Philippines due to the deciding vote of the vice-president

Question 2

Progressive Imperialism Theory

Answer 2

• Historian: Walter McDougall
• US imperialism was motivated by a desire to improve the lives of non-Americans
• The export of American values to less well-developed countries
• Believed that the countries would benefit from America’s pursuit to ‘civilise’ the world
• Link to WASPs, belief that they were superior, had duty to help the ‘lesser races’ improve their lives by following their example, e.g. Hawaii and the Philippines

Question 3

Open Door (New Markets) Theory

Answer 3

• Historian: William A. Williams
• Need for markets was a primary motive
• US believe that the need for actual markets could be met by the ‘Open Door’ policy rather than actual territorial expansion
• Ferguson stressed this economic motive with the 1893 Depression, stimulating a desire to see new markets

Question 4

Closing of the Frontier Theory (End of Westward Expansion)

Answer 4

• Some argued that Westward Expansion was a form of imperialism
• Once expansion had ended, America could turn its attention to foreign adventures
• Views expressed in Frederick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis

Question 5

Preclusive Imperialism Theory

Answer 5

• Term first used by William Langer (historian)
• Refers to the idea of countries taking over colonies to prevent others from doing so
• Links with the idea of the US wanting to copy Britain, France and Germany which had built empires
• USA took advantage of its predominant position in Latin America and the Monroe Doctrine to expand in Central America and the Caribbean