Imperialism

Foreign policy is defined by the dictionary as a governmental strategy to deal with other nations; the international relations and foreign policy of the United States has a great relevance, due to the impact it has had internationally. Over the years the United States has distinguished itself by practicing a foreign policy aimed at expansion as a nation in order to safeguard national interests. While examining the U.S. foreign policy, it can be seen clearly that is a reflection of selfishness, unilateral and expansionist interests of the United States. However, the American political discourse has been characterized by disguising those interests argued that the U.S. mission is to extend their supposed principles of freedom, equality, justice, and democracy. As stated by “Washington's Farewell Address,” America, was supposed to remain neutral and not get involved in any international affairs beside in commerce. This was not the case because with the Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary America sustained the belief that Manifest Destiny and continued to expand all over the world. America was not justified in pursuing imperialism because it is a complete contradiction of what America stands for, such as equality and liberty. Once America imperialized a country it was taking its freedoms and no receiving consent of the governed, therefore contradicting their own beliefs as stated in the Declaration Of Independence.

American imperialism was imminent during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Due to yellow journalism, Americans were furious with the brutal way the Spanish were treating Cubans and therefore demanded the Spanish rule to give up Cuba or face serious consequences. President McKinley was unwilling to go to war with Spain but after the U.S.S Maine exploded in the Havana Harbor Americans demanded actions against this attack. The Spanish-American War resulted in the Treaty of Paris, in which Spain lost Cuba and other colonies. In Addition, United States defeated the Spanish forces and helped Cuba become independent in 1959. Once Cuba was Independent from Spain America took over and controlled 90 percent of the Cuban economy. This demonstrates how America does not help any country without fulfilling their own interests. The actions of America are the ones of an imperialist country due to the fact that Americans were creating business and benefiting from every aspect of the Cuban society to the point that Cubans passed from first class citizens to second-class citizens under American influence as well. In other words, after Independence, nothing really changed for Cubans because they were being controlled by the United States.

Some people may argue that American imperialism was justified because Americans, as a superior race, had the duty to expand and civilize what they thought were uncivilized countries, they also believed they had the right to educate these people by introducing to them their

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