Reference no: EM133445657

Assignment:

The United States officially became an imperial power in the 1890s, but not without controversy. Proponents made arguments in favor of imperialism based on ideological, economic, and national security reasons. However, opponents to imperialism also made arguments against imperialism based on ideological, economic, and national security reasons. The lecture on Roots of American Imperialism explains the historical context and some of the arguments made for and against imperialism in the nineteenth century.

The United States took the first steps to becoming a formal imperial power in the 1890s by declaring war on Spain in 1898. After defeating Spanish forces in the Philippines, the Americans continued to fight against Filipino troops in the Philippine-American War from 1899 through 1902, eventually colonizing the island nation for over forty years. The causes and consequences for these wars are explained in the lecture on Wars for Empire. Please use the lectures below and Give Me Liberty! An American History to help you respond to the following writing assignment:

• Assume you are an American citizen living in 1898 as the nation contemplates getting involved in the Cuban Revolution and going to war with Spain. Explain in a one-page letter to the editor explaining why you think the United States should or should not declare war on Spain.

Videos:

1. Roots of American Imperialism

2. Wars for Empire