WRITE-UP INTRODUCTION
Imperialism is when a country actively uses diplomacy or force to gain territory or influence over others. This concept of having power over another society or people is as old as the empires of the ancient world. Imperialism is also what was at work when the peoples of Europe spread over the Earth taking everything they saw. The United States of America named its own capital after the man who "discovered" this continent and his imperial legacy is one this country would embrace given time.
Imperialism has had a lasting impact on nearly every society sharing this planet. The colonies that became the United States of America were territory taken through force by the British Empire. The American continents were almost entirely covered by imperial claims at the time of the American Revolution. European countries had come to the Americas with guns, horses, and steel swords which made it possible for them to conquer massive territories with ease. Entire civilizations fell before them and entire peoples were enslaved by them. When those native slaves proved to be not enough to meet the economic demands of the Europeans they turned to their trading posts on the African coast and started a slave trade bigger than any that had come before. Thus the human cost of European imperialism was the near complete genocide of the Americas' native population, the enslavement of those who remained, and the brutal Atlantic slave trade which devastated African populations.
American imperialism began with the desire to spread westward and for the USA to claim significant territories in North America. Manifest destiny was the term coined to explain what drove the American government and its people to increase their territory and influence using diplomacy or force. A belief that the American people were special and destined to claim the lands that lay before them drove manifest destiny and the beginning of the United States' imperial claims. As the country grew stronger, its territorial claims and attempts to influence other countries in the Caribbean, Asia and Oceania, and Latin and South America also increased greatly.
WRITE-UP SECTION #1
Actively Using Diplomacy or Force
At their most basic, the difference between diplomacy and force is the same as the difference between using your words and using your fists. Diplomacy means that an agreement was reached, a treat or some other document created, or a diplomatic relationship was established. Force means that weapons were used and people were probably hurt if not massacred and murdered. Sometimes force also means that things were taken without anyone else being asked or considered.
WRITE-UP SECTION #2
To Gain Territory or Influence
Territory refers to land. This land can offer resources for use by the imperial power, serve as a barrier between opposing powers, or offer a war that distracts from issues at home. Influence refers to the power to direct or control another people or their country somehow. This can take the form of diplomatic influence meaning there is a political relationship, influence through commerce and business, or influence created in exchange for military protection.
WRITE-UP SECTION #3
The Human Cost of Imperialism
How are people affected by the imperial act of diplomacy or force being used to gain territory or influence? What are the long term consequences? Specifically, we focus on the people who lose their land by force, are influenced into giving something up by the imperial power, or find their human rights and power of governance stripped by the imperial power.
Imperialism is when a country actively uses diplomacy or force to gain territory or influence over others. This concept of having power over another society or people is as old as the empires of the ancient world. Imperialism is also what was at work when the peoples of Europe spread over the Earth taking everything they saw. The United States of America named its own capital after the man who "discovered" this continent and his imperial legacy is one this country would embrace given time.
Imperialism has had a lasting impact on nearly every society sharing this planet. The colonies that became the United States of America were territory taken through force by the British Empire. The American continents were almost entirely covered by imperial claims at the time of the American Revolution. European countries had come to the Americas with guns, horses, and steel swords which made it possible for them to conquer massive territories with ease. Entire civilizations fell before them and entire peoples were enslaved by them. When those native slaves proved to be not enough to meet the economic demands of the Europeans they turned to their trading posts on the African coast and started a slave trade bigger than any that had come before. Thus the human cost of European imperialism was the near complete genocide of the Americas' native population, the enslavement of those who remained, and the brutal Atlantic slave trade which devastated African populations.
American imperialism began with the desire to spread westward and for the USA to claim significant territories in North America. Manifest destiny was the term coined to explain what drove the American government and its people to increase their territory and influence using diplomacy or force. A belief that the American people were special and destined to claim the lands that lay before them drove manifest destiny and the beginning of the United States' imperial claims. As the country grew stronger, its territorial claims and attempts to influence other countries in the Caribbean, Asia and Oceania, and Latin and South America also increased greatly.
WRITE-UP SECTION #1
Actively Using Diplomacy or Force
At their most basic, the difference between diplomacy and force is the same as the difference between using your words and using your fists. Diplomacy means that an agreement was reached, a treat or some other document created, or a diplomatic relationship was established. Force means that weapons were used and people were probably hurt if not massacred and murdered. Sometimes force also means that things were taken without anyone else being asked or considered.
WRITE-UP SECTION #2
To Gain Territory or Influence
Territory refers to land. This land can offer resources for use by the imperial power, serve as a barrier between opposing powers, or offer a war that distracts from issues at home. Influence refers to the power to direct or control another people or their country somehow. This can take the form of diplomatic influence meaning there is a political relationship, influence through commerce and business, or influence created in exchange for military protection.
WRITE-UP SECTION #3
The Human Cost of Imperialism
How are people affected by the imperial act of diplomacy or force being used to gain territory or influence? What are the long term consequences? Specifically, we focus on the people who lose their land by force, are influenced into giving something up by the imperial power, or find their human rights and power of governance stripped by the imperial power.
Complete the notes for U4-LT#1 using the relevant Wikipedia articles linked below.
North American countries or regions affected by American imperialism: Caribbean countries or regions affected by American imperialism: | Asian and Oceanic countries or regions affected by American imperialism: |
Complete Notes: U4-LT#1
- Notes are in the crate labeled as U4-LT#1 and completed using the write-up for this Learning Target and resources from the Digital Library.
Nothing to see here! We're just focusing on the notes right now.
Nothing to see here! We're just focusing on the notes right now.
Nothing to see here! We're just focusing on the notes right now.