During the Spanish-American War, there were large groups of individuals who favor imperialism, while others were against it. Each group had solid reasons to justify their positions. Imperialists believed that Americans needed to improve the size of their navy and army to threaten powerful European nations to have a better position. In contrast, non-imperialists believed that imperialism presented many challenges, such as the spreading of diseases. Although imperialism resulted in some challenges, it had positive impacts on America, such as unity and economic growth.
Imperialism promoted unity and harmony among nations. When countries fought in their quest to have large territories, unity prevailed after the war through agreements between the nations. Unity brought a sense of pride between the inhabitants of the United States (Welch, 1972). Therefore, the US government could extend its power and influence through military force to bring unity among the Spanish colonies and the United States. Moreover, if the US took control by improving its army, it would prevent wars in the future, thus promoting peace between the involved nations.
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Imperialism promoted economic growth through the introduction of more markets, raw materials, and new products. Imperialism encouraged to progress in terms of social, cultural, and economical; if the United States assumed colonial control of the Philippine country and the Filipino people, more market and access to raw materials to the Americans would be availed (Welch 1972). In the poem, “The White Man's Burden,” the United States is argued to assume colonial control of Cuba, the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rice, to improve its economic growth. "Ye dare not stoop to less," (Kipling & Wise, Stanza 6, Line 2).
Despite some negative impacts of imperialism, it had a positive influence on America. Imperialism promoted unity and harmony among the nations through the war of conquest. Also, it offered access to more markets to take raw material from and sell the final products, resulting in economic growth. Imperialism should be credited enough for its contribution to promoting unity and economic growth.
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References
Kipling, R., & Wise, T. J. (1899). The White Man's Burden.
Welch, R. E. (Ed.). (1972). Imperialists vs. Anti-imperialists: The Debate over Expansionism in the 1890s . Harlan Davidson .
