American Imperialism

1. Which of the following statements appropriately relates Manifest Destiny to American imperialism?

• Once Americans had accomplished the goal of westward expansion, they had to find other ways of showing their strength through imperialism.

• Once Americans had accomplished the goal of unifying the western hemisphere, they should not interfere in European affairs, but they should combat any European intervention in their field of interest.

• Manifest Destiny was the belief that whichever nation had the most colonies, was the best nation.

• Manifest Destiny is the belief that Americans should be imperialistic.

2. Which of the following best defines imperialism?

• The idea that the U.S. needed to contain the influence of all of its foreign rivals, using all the methods it had at its disposal.

• When a nation works to expand its power and influence over another nation through military conquest, or political diplomacy, or both.

• When a nation closes off its border and goes into a period of isolationism. The two primary methods of imperialism are closing of communication and assuming a defensive military posture.

• The idea that the U.S. was destined to spread across the entire North American continent.

3. How did Alfred Thayer Mahan affect American imperialism?

• He was an economist who saw the benefit of international trade.

• He was a historian who argued for a modernized navy with a greater global presence.

• He was a military strategist in the Spanish-American War.

• He was an academic who believed in Social Darwinism.

4. How does Social Darwinism impact imperialism?

• Social Darwinists believed that certain races and nations were destined by their superiority to dominate what they considered the inferior races or nations.

• Social Darwinists were opponents of world wars and as such believed that the only way towards progress was through mutual cooperation.

• It doesn't; it's a misunderstanding of the terms.

• Social Darwinist believed that only the worthy survived and thus championed a Machiavellian approach to politics, where those who knew how to take their opportunities ruled.

5. How did President Washington's vision of America compare to that of the time of Manifest Destiny?

• He believed that the U.S. should have much better relations with the nations of Europe.

• He believed in a much stronger federal branch that would have a stronger impact on the economy.

• President Washington warned that if the U.S. was not present in all relevant events it would appear weak.

• President Washington opposed foreign interventions that were increasing in popularity in that period.