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Pro - Con Argumentative Essay Example

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42 views3 pages

Pro - Con Argumentative Essay Example

Uploaded by

Hamza Jalal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Example of Pro/con Essay

American Imperialism Pro/Con Argumentative Essay

American Imperialism began in earnest at the onset of the Spanish-American War which takes

place in 1898. It was the desire of leaders of the United States to expand the boundaries of

influence whether it be political, economic, religious, or military. The expansion was not

means to solely annex foreign lands but rather to influence other regions of the world to

confirm to the likeness of the United States as well as be beneficial to the United States. In

expansion, leaders of government and industry believed the United States would rank as a

world leader. Proponents for expansion beyond the 1898 boundaries of the United States

maintained; a desire for new markets, there was a threat of renewed European competition

and expansion, and there was a need to bring Christianity to new territories. Opponents for

expansion maintained; annexation of other lands went against American principles listed in

the United States Constitution, defending, and controlling annexed territories that were far

from the shores of the United States would be difficult, and no country should force its

religious beliefs on other countries or territories. However, after a careful analysis of both

sides reveals that American Imperialism was necessary for the United States to maintain its

sovereignty and achieve a leading rank among other world powers.

During the age of Industrialization of the late 1800s, the United States was growing at a fast

pace. Industry provided means for more sellable goods. Often the production of these goods,

outpaced the consumer demand in the U. S. markets, resulting in the expansion of not only

foreign trade but the quest for new markets. Markets for the selling of goods as well as

markets for the purchasing or harvesting resources were a driving force for American

expansion. Rubber for example is a product derived from a natural resource, the rubber tree.
Rubber is used for many things, and with the up-and-coming use of the automobile, rubber

was needed. The tree can be found in regions of South America, Asia, and Africa. “It was not

until 1898 that any serious attention was paid to plantation development. Then came the

automobile, and with it the awakening on the part of everybody that without rubber there

could be no tires, and without tires there could be no automobiles.” (Firestone, 1932, p. 41).

Great Britain and the Dutch were steadily setting up Rubber plantations in South America and

Asia thus prompting the United States to follow suite. Imports and acquisitions as well as

exports were driving the U. S. economy. “Businessmen like Andrew Carnegie and J. P.

Morgan brought the U. S. steel production to the forefront of the economy. By 1900,

American steel production increased from 1.25 million tons to more than ten million tons and

the United States and Germany dominated the world market.” (Gordon). ****THEN YOU

EITHER MENTION OTHER EXAMPLES of market need OR WRAP UP****

***YOU THEN WILL DISCUSS THE NEXT TWO REASONS LISTED IN THE
INTRO**** THEN TRANSITION TO THE OPPONENTS’ VIEWS

Though the prospect of an economic boom for the U. S., the slow down of other Countries

territorial expansion, and the spread of Christianity was thought to be an easily accomplished

task for American Imperialism, anti-Imperialists had other ideas. One major concern was the

forced takeover of foreign lands. “The anti-imperialists opposed forced expansion, believing

that imperialism violated the fundamental principle a just republican must derive from

consent of the governed." (Tompkins). Anti-imperialist contended that taking foreign lands by

force were a direct violation of the basic tenets of United States Constitution. The basic

founding principles of the United States needed to be applied when dealing in foreign

policies. (Norton) The Philippines was a prime example of a territory taken by force. “Though

the anti-imperialist agreed with the United States incursion into the Philippines based on
humanitarian reasons, the forced annexation of the region went beyond the scope. During this

period, the Philippines was ruled by Spain and with the aide of the United States won its

freedom. However, the Philippines had a vast number of resources the United States saw

beneficial.” (Ziden) The rising threat of Japan expanding its territories also made the

Philippines a desirable acquisition due to its proximity to Japan. These two factors resulted in

the United States taking the Philippines by military force. ******YOU WOULD CONTINUE

ON WITH THIS TOPIC

***THEN DISCUSS THE SECOND AND THIRD TOPICS

*AFTER ALL TOPIC ARE DISCUSSED IN YOUR CONCLUSION/SUMMATION


COMPARE/CONTRAST HIGH POINTS AND EMPHASIZE YOUR STANCE

In summation, proponents and opponents had valid reason for or against American

Imperialism. Through the proponents’ viewpoints and implementation, the United States

experienced an economic boom, advanced in world dominance, and spread the ideology of

democracy. The proponents did accomplish this through action. Albeit, sometimes

questionable, actions have results. The opponents of American Imperialism taking a moralistic

approach argued taking over foreign lands infringed on the inhabitants rights negating

advancement of the democratic ideology. The anti-imperialists relied on public opinion to put

an end to American Expansion and as a resulted the group faltered.

For the United States to rise in ranks among the world leading countries such at Britain and

France, slow the advancement of rising countries, such as German, Japan and protect the

United States Sovereignty and democracy, American Imperialism was necessary.

***At the end of your paper you must include a work cited page that has the full

citations*****

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