Unit+08+Seminars

= Imperialism Seminars = -1- President Theodore Roosevelt's corollary (1904 extension) to the Monroe Doctrine was applied to Latin American republics and led to numerous military interventions. The corollary explained American policy: to exercise international police power to correct chronic wrongdoing by these republics and to prevent intervention by foreign powers. Do you agree with the corollary and the right of the United States to intervene? Why or why not? What are the differences between intervention in the early 1900s and currently?

-2- President Roosevelt claims that he "took" the Panama Canal area and initiated the building of the canal, implying that, if he had not, there would have been no canal. Certainly he used questionable procedures, given his support of a Panamanian revolution against Colombia and his immediate recognition of Panama as an independent republic. Is this a case of improper, perhaps illegal, action in the short run for a long-term gain-a canal for ships from all nations to use, a vital water link for trade and defense? Should Americans condemn Roosevelt's methods, or does the end sometimes justify the means in history? Explain.

-3- Should limits have been placed on the Pulitzer newspapers in 1897 and 1898 because of their inflammatory, exaggerated, and often inaccurate coverage of the revolution in Cuba? Why or why not?

-4- Does American entry into the Spanish-American War indicate that democracies can be induced into a war as easily as dictatorships or totalitarian systems of government? Explain.

-5- Varied reasons are offered for the expansion of American interest overseas in the 1890s and early 1900s. Examine the following "causes" and write under each whether you consider it to be of "great importance" or of "less importance."
 * 1) Economic growth and exports-the need to find markets for goods and new lucrative investment opportunities.
 * 2) Intellectual currents-feelings of "manifest destiny," of Social Darwinism applied to a national reputation as one of the "fit" nations, of the Anglo-Saxon responsibility to "uplift backward peoples."
 * 3) Worldwide trend-the examples of the British, French, and Dutch, a need not to be left out; all "great nations" have empires with colonies overseas.
 * 4) Military and strategic needs-an emphasis on sea power as a key to greatness both in trade and world power; overseas bases help meet the strategic needs of the United States.
 * 5) Political pressures-the need to win elections and enhance the prestige of a political party; efforts to divert the attention of the American people from the economic problems at home (depression, labor strife, inequality of wealth, and others).
 * 6) Journalistic influences--a free press that needs to sell papers and is controlled by those who want expansionism, exploiting emotional situations by arousing public interest and feelings.
 * 7) Missionary impulse-a desire to spread Christianity to other lands.
 * 8) End of frontier-no more room to expand on the North American continent (the trend since 1607 had been to expand); thus, the interest overseas.
 * 9) Patriotism-a growing national pride that appears in all large nations a,, they thrive and progress; an internal energy that naturally seeks to exert influence abroad.
 * 10) Marxist-Leninist theory-a capitalist nation produces a surplus of goods and money and, to avoid depression and economic problems at home, seek; control abroad to secure markets and resources and to provide investment opportunities; imperialism is the final stage of capitalism, the temporary salvation of the capitalist system.
 * Choose the two that you consider most important and explain your reasons.
 * Are the intellectual and psychological factors more or less important than the "hard" factors of economics, diplomacy, and politics? Explain.
 * Offer a critical evaluation of item J. If it has some validity, does it remain a factor in current diplomacy? Why or why not?
 * Which factors would be the most upsetting and insulting to underdeveloped areas that became colonies? Why?
 * Would one of these factors alone have been sufficient to cause expansion or does it take several factors interacting together? Explain.
 * The term "moralistic aggression" has been used to represent the urge to reform the world, to set things right, to "uplift." Is this attitude central to American expansion or a window-dressing for an underlying desire for power and material gain? Explain.

-6- The attitude of the United States (and of European nations) in the 1890s was that much of the world was uncivilized, in need of the advanced civilization of the Christian Western world. What exactly is meant by the word "civilized"? Various "signs" of civilization have been offered. Below is a list of some of these. Examine them carefully and answer the questions that follow. A. A high standard of living for the majority of the population. B. Conveniences that offer leisure time to many citizens. C. Scientific knowledge instead of superstition and demonology. D. Conquest over the "relics of barbarism"-polygamy, infanticide, legalized prostitution, capricious divorce, immoral games, torture, caste social structure, slavery, harsh laws and penal code, and so forth. E. Low death rate and long life expectancy. F. Good sanitation, hygiene, and medical care, and low infant mortality rate. G. High literacy rate and free public education. H. Disciplined, hard-working labor force with high productivity. I. Maintenance of the infrastructure. J. Ability to negotiate, compromise, cooperate, and solve problems in a peaceful manner. K. Compassion-philanthropy, charities, mutual aid and care for all groups in society. L. Widespread enjoyment of "culture"-art, literature, and music-and the creative production of this culture. M. Ability to reform, to constantly improve and adapt, and to correct abuses; a willingness to do so. N. Guaranteed basic freedoms to speak, publish, move about, worship, and to be protected by the law. 0. Control over birth rate, population growth, and size of families. P. Rule of law over the whims of rulers. Q. A government responsive to the people and their outlook and decisions. R. Respect for private property, enforcement of contracts, and freedom of business enterprise. S. Care and respect for the environment and the conservation of resources. Which three of the above do you consider the most important elements of a civilized nation? Explain your choices. Which two do you consider to be the least important signs of a civilized society? Explain. What other factors not on the list do you consider necessary in order to call a society "civilized"?

Is the war-making propensity of a nation a factor that should be included-that a nation seldom, if ever, goes to war? Why or why not? From what you have read about the United States in that period, to what degree, considering the above list, was it a "civilized" society? Explain. Would non-Western societies agree to most of the items on the list? A cartoon appeared in //Punch//, an English magazine, that showed Uncle Sam trying to control a kicking, punching boy labeled "Cuba." The Spaniard standing nearby says to Uncle Sam, "Well, you wanted him! You've got him! And, I wish you joy of him!" What is the implication of this cartoon? Do you agree with its observation? Explain. Historians have debated the Open Door policy in China and come to different conclusions about its intent. A. One view is that the policy represents imperialist greed. The United States wanted to dominate the world economy and could best do so by opening the markets of the world to make the American system function better. It was a ploy of industrial capitalism and led to unfortunate intervention by the United States, ranging from the escapade in the Philippines in 1899 to Vietnam in 1965. B. The other view is that Americans felt a genuine sympathy for China and its territorial integrity. The United States was, except for the aberration in 1898, consistently in opposition to acquiring colonial areas. The policy reflects this and also upholds the ideals of a free and open market for trade throughout the world for all nations. The policy may have prevented a war over China at that time and has delayed and modified wars since that time. Which of these views do you agree with most? Why? Should this policy be a part of the current diplomatic outlook of the United States? Why or why not? During the war in Vietnam, comparisons were made between the American effort to annex and control the Philippines and the involvement in Vietnam. What are the similarities in and differences between these two involvements? President Wilson criticized Theodore Roosevelt for "gunboat diplomacy" and objected to William Taft's "dollar diplomacy." He expected nations to discuss problems and solve them peacefully without resorting to violence. He appealed to law and morality. His secretary of state, William Jennings Bryan, went even further and leaned toward pacifism. Christian principles must prevail over self-interest. Is it reasonable to expect that moral principles will be employed in the conduct of foreign policy? Is a nation stronger if it employs moral principles or is it in a weaker position because of the ruthless and immoral approach of other nations? Explain.