One interpretation of American westward expansion in the nineteenth century posits that it "can best be understood in the global context of imperialism and colonialism." How did the rhetoric and practices of the federal government in conquering the American West shape its approach to its interactions with Cuba,China,and the Philippines between 1890 and 1900? To what extent did U.S.imperialism outside of continental North America mirror its actions in the West?

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Federal Government's Approach to Western Conquest: The United States in the period 1860-1900 extended its authority and wealth by expanding its borders and culture into the West,conquering the Native Americans and Mexicans who already lived there and displacing and ruling over them.The U.S.government saw Native Americans in the West as an obstacle to westward expansion and a problem that needed a solution.Native Americans were viewed as inferior to whites and a group that needed to be civilized,Christianized,and assimilated in Indian schools and on reservations.The U.S.government also saw at least some Indians as hostiles who should be controlled and even attacked.Violent conflict between whites and Native Americans devastated Indian populations and cultures.Growth and expansion of industrialization-especially mining,railroads,and commercial farming-increased U.S.wealth,furthered urbanization,and improved quality of life for some whites.
The United States and China: U.S.Secretary of State John Hay's Open Door Policy marked the beginning of the United States' explicit competition with the colonial powers of Europe for trade in the Eastern Hemisphere.Whereas in the early nineteenth century the United States had remained relatively isolated from Asia and removed from European efforts to colonize it,the Open Door Policy marked the beginning of American efforts to expand and defend its presence in Asia and the Pacific.Rather than staying out of Asia and Europe's domination of the region,the Open Door Policy declared that the United States,like Europe,had every right to trade with China and that it would do so.Unlike American expansion into the West,however,the nation's new role in China did not include the displacement of Chinese people or the establishment of a far-flung colonial empire.
The United States and Cuba: In Cuba,the United States was interested in "liberating" the country from Spanish colonial rule,in large part because American businesses wanted to protect their economic interests and trading partnerships there.The Spanish American War in Cuba ended almost as soon as it began and brought the United States the possessions of Cuba,Puerto Rico,Guam,and the Philippines.Cuba became free from Spanish rule,but the United States,which saw Cubans themselves as inferior to white Americans,dictated the Cuban constitution,which included the Platt Amendment.The amendment guaranteed the United States the right to intervene to protect Cuba's "independence," power to oversee Cuban debt,and a ninety-nine-year lease on the naval base at Guantanamo.The United States also implemented an extensive sanitation program to clean up the island to make it more attractive to investors.As in the West,racism,missionary zeal,and economic interest motivated U.S.involvement in Cuba.Unlike the West,Americans did not decimate the Cuban population,nor did they establish large American settlements there.
The United States and the Philippines: As in Cuba,the United States gained possession of the Philippines after it defeated Spanish colonial rulers on the islands.Emilio Aguinaldo's Filipino revolutionaries,who had fought along with U.S.troops against Spain,turned against Americans when it became clear that they planned to take control of the islands and use them as a stepping-stone to Asia.Fighting continued in the Philippines for seven more years,resulting in the deaths of 4,000 Americans and 20,000 Filipinos.Again,racism,economic interests,and missionary zeal played a substantial role in motivating American actions in the Philippines.There was violent conflict and American cultural infiltration,as was the case in the West,but no actual American settlement.

One Interpretation of American Westward Expansion in the Nineteenth Century