History 1310 Section 51 U.S. History to 1877, Spring 2023 Essay Exam #1 Due: 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, Read: Chapter 21 (textbook BecomingAmerica) and “Our Country and Its Possible Future” by Josiah Strong (1885) (on Moodie) Watch: “How The U.S Leaves Behind Its Own American Territories” AJ+ (9:37 min) via Moodie *Firstly, describe the imperialistic climate of the late 19th and early 20th century United States, an era often described as the “American Empire,” using the information provided in Chapter 21. During such era of the “American Empire,” secondly, explain how Josiah Strong justified aggressive United States foreign policy towards small Caribbean and Asian countries in “Our Country and Its Possible Future,” with religion and the idea of Anglo-Saxon supremacy. Do you think Strong’s argument is compelling? Thirdly, watch a short video, “How The U.S Leaves Behind Its Own American Territories” (9:37 min) and discuss the consequence of 19th and 20th century United States imperialism in today’s reality of U.S. territories. Do you think U.S. imperialist and jingoist rhetoric you discussed earlier is already a thing of the past and has no relevance to the U.S. territories in the 21st century?
o Your answer must be at least 800 words long (about 4 FULL double-spaced pages with font size 1 2) and must include all the elements of the questions asked. o The essay must have in-text citation using theambers of the textbook and posted document. Please see the citation examples in “tips” below. You can use any chapters of the assigned textbook for citation. No source besides assigned materials will be accepted for this assignment. 0 Your answer must include a main argument that is directly related to each sub-question. Your argument must be supported by evidence, which needs to be fully documented. Failure to cite sources will be considered plagiarism. 0 The paper must be computer generated and include your name and course number. The paper must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document via Moodie la the specified due date/time. Late papers will not be accepted. The essay will be graded based on the rubric posted on Moodle. Plagiarism: is the unacknowledged use of another person’s labor, ideas, words, and Helpance. All work done for this assignment is expected to be the individual effort to the student presenting the work. If the work entails consulting other resources (journals, books or internet), these resources must be cited. Failure to cite borrowed material constitutes plagiarism. The penalty for plagiarism or cheating as a first offense is an “F” in the course.
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The late 19th and early 20th century United States was characterized by an imperialistic climate, often referred to as the “American Empire.” During this era, the United States sought to expand its territorial and economic influence, both domestically and internationally. According to Chapter 21 of the textbook “Becoming America,” this expansionist policy was driven by a combination of economic, political, and ideological factors, including the desire for new markets, the need to protect American interests abroad, and a belief in American exceptionalism and superiority.
Josiah Strong, in his work “Our Country and Its Possible Future,” justified the aggressive United States foreign policy towards small Caribbean and Asian countries through the use of religion and the idea of Anglo-Saxon supremacy. Strong believed that the Anglo-Saxon race was superior and that it was the duty of the United States to spread its civilization and Christian values to other nations. He argued that this expansion was necessary for the survival and prosperity of the United States and that it was in line with divine providence.
While Strong’s argument may have been compelling at the time, it is not without its flaws. The idea of Anglo-Saxon superiority and the belief in the superiority of one race over others have been discredited and widely criticized in modern times. Additionally, the aggressive foreign policy towards small Caribbean and Asian countries, justified through religion and the idea of Anglo-Saxon supremacy, has had negative consequences for the people of those countries, including the loss of cultural identity, economic exploitation, and political oppression.
In the short video “How The U.S Leaves Behind Its Own American Territories,” the consequences of 19th and 20th century United States imperialism are discussed. The video highlights the ongoing struggles of U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam, for self-determination and equal treatment under the law. These territories, which were acquired through imperialism, have been denied representation in the U.S. government and have been subjected to unequal treatment compared to the states. The legacy of imperialism and jingoism continues to affect the lives of people in these territories and serves as a reminder of the negative consequences of aggressive foreign policies.
In conclusion, the late 19th and early 20th century United States was characterized by an imperialistic climate, driven by economic, political, and ideological factors. Josiah Strong justified aggressive foreign policy towards small Caribbean and Asian countries through the use of religion and the idea of Anglo-Saxon supremacy, which has been widely criticized in modern times. The consequences of U.S. imperialism continue to be felt in the 21st century, particularly in U.S. territories, and serve as a reminder of the negative consequences of aggressive foreign policies. While the imperialistic rhetoric of the past may no longer be prevalent, its effects continue to be felt and should be acknowledged and addressed in order to create a more just and equitable world.
