Causes And Effects Of U.S. Imperialism

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorHigh School, 11th grade November 2001

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In analyzing the causes and effects of United States Imperialism from 1870 to 1916, one finds that there are three main factors. These major factors of United States Imperialism in this time period are: Hawaii, the Spanish-American war, and Theodore Roosevelt. In this time period Hawaiian islanders were very happy to live traditionally, but Americans were not content with the traditional ways of the Hawaiians (Buschini, n.pag.). Even though America seemed to be on the road to imperialism with Hawaii, the Spanish- American war actually set the United States on the new road of Imperialism (The Spanish American War n.pag.). Theodore Roosevelt played an important role in the United States road to imperialism in the 1870's while serving as president. These three subjects all have given us many causes and effects, in dealing with United States Imperialism in 1870 to 1916.

Queen Liliuokalani and the Hawaiian islanders were very content, and Happy to live traditionally; the way that they always had before the Americans came along.

Americans built huge plantations, railroads, dry-docks, banks, hotels, and stores. They soon dominated the Hawaiian economy and greatly influenced the government. Queen Liliuokalani was determined to eliminate the American influence in the Hawaiian government. As a new plan, Queen Liliuokalani tried to create a new constitution to strengthen the Hawaiian Monarchy, but her cabinet refused. American residents were outraged and organized the committee of safety and appointed annexation members as its leaders. On January 17, 1893, armed members attacked, and took over the government office building to read a proclamation abolishing monarchy, and naming Sanford B. Dole president (Buschini, n.pag.).

All of this was done, because in the mid-19th century United States owned sugar plantations equaled three quarters of the island's wealth. Foreigners and immigrant workers outnumbered Hawaiians. The McKinley tariff resulted in competition...