Jordann Hartzheim

Imperialism Essay
8th Period

Imperialism is the policy in which stronger nations extend their economic,

political, or military over weaker nations. This is one policy that I believe the United

States should not have gone through with at the turn of the nineteenth century. The four

main reasons why I believe imperialism is not a good idea is because it not only went

against the Declaration of Independence, but also the Constitution. If people do not

want to be governed there is no way to force them to be governed; it goes against ones

right to freedom and liberty, as well as the majority of the population does not believe

that imperialism is Gods will. These issues all contribute to the reason why I am a

believer in anti-imperialism.

The first reason why I believe that the United States should not have partook in

imperialism because it went against the rights of the Declaration of Independence and

the Constitution. The constitution states “Under the Declaration of Independence you

cannot govern a foreign territory, a foreign people, another people than you own.” (Doc

4). Although the declaration is not one of the most important documents of the United

States, it is one that helped shape out nation. Therefore if it states that something is

wrong, then it is the peoples’ concern to take the situation into consideration before

making major decisions.

Liberty is a right to every citizen of America; if another stronger country came to

take over my country I would be worried about what would happen to me. Washington

and Lincoln were strong supporters of liberty and the right to be free “All men, of

whatever race or color are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (Doc. 7).

When the U.S. would try to over throw what the people in Cuba and Spain wanted, they

were taking away every man’s chance to live the life they wanted.

During the fight of imperialism in trying to free Cuba from Spain, many people

said that it was Gods will for the United States to control. People would say things such
 Jordann Hartzheim
Imperialism Essay
8th Period

as white people were the best and dominant race. Some people wanted the US to take

control so they could spread Christianity and make the world a better place. Reverent

Josiah Strong said, “The representatives… of the largest liberty, the purest Christianity,

the high civilization… will spread itself over the earth.” (Doc 1); stating how if you want to

be the best you have to be a Christian. Sometimes they will even compare themselves

to the lord. Not everyone believes imperialism is God’s will, nor does everybody in the

Philippines want the US to rule over them.

In conclusion, I consider imperialism to be a poor decision for the United States

government to make. I believe so because it goes against the Declaration and the

constitution, you cannot govern people that do not want to be governed, it goes against

the right to liberty and freedom, and because not everyone believes imperialism was

Gods will. All these things would just make things worse for Spain and Cuba’s problem.

If the U.S. wanted to make things better, they should have just let the people choose

who they wanted, to rule their own country. The people of Spain and Cuba deserve the

right to have a say in decisions made and what activities they take part in their everyday

lives.