Sccontrast The Rationale That Differed Between European And U ✓ Solved

Contrast the rationale that differed between European and U.S. imperialist actions. European built their Empire on mostly military conquest, setting up governments and building colonies to expand rapidly. It started with the British conquering India and then the British and Russians moving into central and southeast Asia. By the 1880s, the European states brought most of Africa and the Pacific Ocean territories into their Empires. The US, however, worked differently. The US purchased Alaska from the Russians in 1867 and claimed protectorate over the islands in Hawaii until 1893 when a group of planters and business people overthrew Queen Liliuokalani and invited the US to annex the island. The US had business interests in Cuba and Puerto Rico, and in 1898, when the US battleship Maine exploded and sank, US leaders claimed sabotage and declared war on Spain. The US defeated Spain and took control over Cuba and Puerto Rico, further defeating Spain to control Guam and the Philippines to prevent German or Japanese expansion.

Most of the US territory claimed was business-related rather than conquest for the sake of expansion. The main motives for imperialism are economics, exploratory, ethnocentric, political, and religious. The American approach and the European were similar with subtle differences, largely driven by the Industrial Revolution and economic opportunity. European countries were prepared to grow their empires into Asia and Africa, motivated by financial growth, national competition, and a sense of moral superiority (Cleary, 2020).

Initially, Europe's relations with Asia and Africa were limited to trading posts, allowing for some profit without imposing direct control. But as the 19th century progressed, a significant shift occurred: Europeans began seeking formal political control over foreign territories.

American colonialism, referring to the United States' economic, military, and cultural influence, began to gain momentum during the 1800s. Industrialization led American representatives to seek new global markets for their products. Additionally, the rise of social Darwinism fostered a belief in America's natural responsibility to spread ideas of industry, democracy, and Christianity to supposedly less developed societies.

This combination of attitudes and other factors propelled the United States toward colonialism ("American Imperialism | Boundless US History," 2020). The foundation of American colonialism is partly rooted in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States is unique in its historical mission to promote freedom and democracy.

Paper For Above Instructions

Imperialism has often been a contentious subject, particularly when comparing the motives and methods of European and U.S. imperialist actions. Differentiating these imperial ventures reveals various motivations, justifications, and outcomes, influenced by historical, economic, and cultural factors. This paper will explore how European and U.S. imperialism diverged in rationale, specifically looking at military conquest versus economic expansion and cultural ideology.

Fundamental Differences in Imperial Motives

The primary rationale for European imperialism was rooted in military conquest and the establishment of colonial governments. European nations like Britain, France, and Belgium engaged in aggressive military campaigns to conquer territories. For example, British colonial ambitions in India culminated in the establishment of direct rule after 1858, following the Sepoy Mutiny (Leriche, 2020). Such expansion was motivated by a desire for dominance, control of resources, and the establishment of trade routes, with European powers seeking to assert their geopolitical influence globally.

In contrast, the United States pursued a more economically driven approach to imperialism. While military action, such as the war against Spain in 1898, did occur, much of U.S. expansion was strategically motivated by business interests and the search for new markets (LaFeber, 1998). The purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 exemplifies a diplomatic approach focused on acquiring land for economic exploitation rather than conquest for control. Similarly, U.S. interest in Hawaii involved significant commercial engagement rather than straightforward military aggression (Stearns, 2017).

Cultural Underpinnings of Imperialism

Another pivotal difference lies in the cultural ideologies that motivated these two approaches. European imperialism was often justified through notions of racial superiority and the civilizing mission, wherein colonizers believed they were destined to bring "civilization" to "savage" lands (Said, 1978). As Cleary (2020) suggests, the engrained sense of moral superiority among Europeans was a significant factor driving their imperial pursuits. This belief system played a critical role in how European powers established their empires, often leading to brutal exploitation and repression of indigenous populations.

The United States, on the other hand, was influenced by the concept of American exceptionalism. This ideology posits that the U.S. has a unique role in promoting democracy and freedom worldwide. As outlined by the American imperialist sentiment during the late 19th century, the belief that the U.S. was uniquely qualified to spread its cultural values and political systems formed a crucial aspect of its imperial rationale (Hofstadter, 2008). This perception helped justify interventions in countries like Cuba and the Philippines, rationalizing military actions as means to liberate oppressed people.

Economic Interests and Expansion

The economic motivations for imperialism differed markedly between the two. European nations often viewed their colonies as direct extensions of their national power, pursuing territorial acquisitions primarily for resource extraction and market control (Harms, 2015). The conquest of African nations for rubber, minerals, and agricultural products is a clear illustration of this approach, as seen during the Berlin Conference (1884-1885). Here, European powers hastily divided Africa without considering the cultural or social ramifications for its inhabitants.

In contrast, U.S. imperialism was frequently framed in terms of economic opportunity rather than outright control. The acquisition of territories served primarily to secure new markets for American goods. For instance, U.S. expansionism into Puerto Rico and Guam was driven by commercial interests, as U.S. companies sought new outlets for their products following industrialization (Zinn, 2003). The U.S. aimed to promote free trade, benefiting its economy, while engaging less directly in the oppressive colonial frameworks typical of European rule.

Conclusion

The distinctions between European and U.S. imperialist actions reflect deeper motivations and ideologies at play. While European powers largely engaged in imperialism through military conquest aimed at establishing control, the U.S. prioritized economic interests and the spread of its cultural values. Both approaches shaped the global landscape significantly, leading to various consequences for the territories involved. Understanding these ideological underpinnings provides critical insights into how imperialism has evolved and the legacies it leaves behind.

References

  • Bentley, J. H., Ziegler, H. F., & Salter, H. S. (2015). Traditions & encounters: A global perspective on the past. New York: McGraw-Hill.

  • Cleary, S. (2020). The Age of Empire: European Expansionism 1800-1914. Retrieved from [insert url]

  • Harms, R. (2015). Death in the African City. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

  • Hofstadter, R. (2008). The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. New York: Knopf.

  • Leriche, A. (2020). Britain’s Imperial Ambitions in India. Retrieved from [insert url]

  • LaFeber, W. (1998). Empire: The American Civil War and the Future of the Union. New York: Norton.

  • Stearns, P. N. (2017). World Civilizations: The Global Experience. New York: Pearson.

  • Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. New York: Pantheon.

  • Zinn, H. (2003). A People's History of the United States. New York: HarperCollins.

  • "American Imperialism | Boundless US History." (2020). Retrieved July 9, 2020, from [insert url]