Were the imperialistic actions of the US justified??
Opinion Section! Use the form at the bottom of the threat to submit your views on this issue.
The
United States’ imperialistic actions of opening Japan, purchasing Alaska, and
creating the Panama Canal were justified. First, in 1853 US Commodore Perry visited Japan. Although
Japan was an isolationist nation, meaning it did not want to become involved
with other countries, our visit helped Japan to industrialize. If America had not
encouraged Japan’s rapid industrialization, a European nation would have
probably conquered Japan and turned it into their colony. In 1867, the purchase
of Alaska by William Seward, the American Secretary of State cost $7.2 million.
Today, the value of Alaska exceeds $9 trillion. That is more than a 10,000% increase
in the economic worth of Alaska. Finally, in 1901, President Roosevelt wanted
to build a canal through Panama to provide a more efficient travel route
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans than the existing voyages through the
Strait of Magellan or around Cape Horn in South America. The existing route was
about 16,000 miles if a ship traveled from New York to San Francisco, while the
route via the Panama Canal was 11,000 miles shorter. In conclusion, the United States
had sufficient reasons for its imperialistic actions from 1850 until the turn
of the century. - D. G.