Question

Document 2:

Source: Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Speech, 1895
http://www.muson.info/Homepage files/Imperialism%20DBQ.htm
"The great nations of earth are rapidly absorbing all of the unclaimed places in the world. It is a movement that spreads civilizations and advances the human
race. As one of the great nations of the world, the United States must also get involved in this race before its too late. The tendency of modern times is toward
consolidation. It is apparent in capital and labor alike, and it is also true of nations. Small States are of the past and have no future. The modern movement is
all toward the concentration of people and territory into great nations and large dominations. The great nations are rapidly absorbing for their future
expansion and their present defense all the waste places of the earth. It is a movement which makes for civilization and the advancement of the race. As one
of the great nations of the world, the United States must not fall out of line of march."

Answer 1

Imperialism in the late 19th century involved the expansion of European and American powers, driven by industrialization and the pursuit of resources. The U.S. became a significant economic force with a focus on Asia and the Pacific, leading to its involvement in the Philippines and shifting its foreign policy towards active participation in global imperialism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Era of Imperialism

By the late 19th century, imperialism had become a prominent global phenomenon, characterized by the expansion of European powers, America's burgeoning economy, and international competition for territories. As nations industrialized, they sought additional resources and strategic advantages, leading to the colonization of Africa and parts of Asia. The Scramble for Africa, territorial conquests in the Pacific, and America's involvement in the Philippines reflected the heightened competition among world powers. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge's speech encapsulates the American perspective that being a great nation meant participating in this global expansion to spread civilization and maintain progress. The era saw the U.S. grow immensely industrially and geographically, later influencing its policies and international stance.

The United States was successful in becoming one of the wealthiest countries due to geographical and industrial expansion and played a significant role in global imperialism. This phase marked the rise of the U.S. as a dominant economic power, inciting European nations to acquire colonies as counterbalances. The U.S., having consolidated its continental territories, began looking overseas, with significant attention to the Pacific. Territories like the Philippines gave the U.S. a strategic foothold in Asia, while also inciting domestic debates on the nature of America's imperial policies.

Ultimately, imperialism shaped the world order by redrawing borders and laying foundations for future international relations. The push towards empire-building had profound and lasting impacts, positioning America prominently on the world stage but also raising serious questions about the principles guiding its foreign policy and the repercussions of colonial practices.