Antonia Park American Studies Purple Class 2/10/13 Unit 6 America on the World Stage Take Home Essay

y Essential Question #1

In President George Washingtons Farewell Address in 1796, he warned Americans to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. 1 For about 100 years, that is what America did; the U.S. traded with other countries, but didnt make alliances; the nation was isolationist. When did American foreign policy begin changing to what it is now? America began to turn away from its isolationist roots toward expansionism in the late 1890s when Secretary of State John Hay proposed the second Open Door proposal, and America took control of Hawaii, Cuba and the Philippines. Firstly, America turned toward expansionism when Secretary of State John Hay proposed the second Open Door proposal in order to increase trade in China. According to The American Journey, by Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, and James M. McPherson, Japan and the leading European powers had carved out spheres of influence in ChinaSecretary of State John Hay wanted to protect and expand American trading interests in the country.2 Japan and the major European powers had special rights and powers in certain parts of China and America wanted to get involved in trading with China. John Hay proposed an Open Door policy, but the Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, and James M. McPherson, The American Journey, (McGraw Hill: 2005), 1. 2 Ibid., 10.
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other foreign countries were reluctant to accept. In late 1899 the Boxers, a secret Chinese martial arts society, started a violent uprising against the foreign countries in China. After the Boxer Rebellion, John Hay proposed a second Open Door policy, which protected Chinas independence and borders. The other countries accepted this policy. Thus, Americas influence in China increased dramatically. Secondly, America continued to shift from isolationism towards expansionism when the U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1998. According to The American Journey, Gradually the Americans took control of most of the land and business. They also influenced Hawaiian politics.3 Americans expanded across the Pacific and took over Hawaii. The U.S. was becoming powerful enough to take over land across the Pacific Ocean. According to The American Journey, Hawaiians resisted the growing influence of Americans. Queen Liliukalani wanted Hawaiians to regain control of the Hawaiian islands.4 America was expanding and becoming a world power because the U.S. was powerful enough to fight Hawaiians when they tried to resist the influence of Americans. Lastly, America changed from isolationism to expansionism when the United States took over Cuba and the Phillipines in the Spanish-American War of 1998. According to the Nystrom Atlas of United States History, the U.S. victories over Spain made the Philippines and Puerto Rico U.S. Territories and brought independence to Cuba.5 The U.S. took over some countries and helped some countries gain

Ibid., 8. Ibid., 8. 5The Nystrom atlas of United States History. Chicago, Ill.: Nystrom, 20022000, 72.
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independence. America also gained global power through the Spanish-American War. According to the Nystrom Atlas of United States History, The United States became recognized as a world power after the Spanish-American War.6 The United States gained respect from other countries because the U.S. defeated a major colonial power, Spain. Others might argue, America began to turn away from isolationism and towards expansionism much earlier when Secretary of State, William H. Seward, helped to purchase Alaska in 1867. According to The American Journey, Seward purchased Alaska for $7.2 million in 1867, and gold was found in the 1890s. 7 Some might say that America changed toward expansionism when America purchased Alaska because America gained a lot of land. Although America expanded its territory with the purchase of Alaska, according to the Nystrom Atlas of United States History, Purchased in 1867, Alaska went unnoticed for 30 years.8 The purchase of Alaska was not important to America turning toward expansionism because it didnt affect America until gold was found about 30 years later. America shifted its foreign policy from isolationism to expansionism in the late 1890s when the nation increased trade with China, annexed Hawaii, and defeated Spain in the Spanish American War. One important person who contributed to expansionism was Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt led his Rough Riders up San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War. This helped America defeat Ibid., 72. Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, and James M. McPherson, The American Journey, (McGraw Hill: 2005), 3. 8 The Nystrom atlas of United States History. Chicago, Ill.: Nystrom, 20022000, 69.
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Spain and expand to Cuba and the Philippines. Through these changes, America began its journey towards becoming the world power that it is today.

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