1994 AP US History DBQ

From the late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century the United States political expansionism was a continuation of the past, but at the same time it was a departure. Secretary of State John Hay created the Open Door Policy. His note stated that all powers should announce in their spheres of influence that they would respect the Chinese and their traditions. The main reason for this was to create a market for American goods. This new foreign policy was new to American policy, for years ago the United States was against getting involved and tried to stay more isolated from foreign powers. A cartoon from the “American Diplomacy�

From late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century, United States expansionism was characterized by both continuations and departures from past practices. Politically, America shifted from an isolationist tendency to one of increased foreign engagement. However, America continued its practice of treating conquered people poorly. Prior to the period, the American economy was primarily agricultural. During the period, the American economy became more diverse – agricultural plus industrial – with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. What did not change was America’s desire to acquire wealth. There was a shift in America’s geographic expansionism. The acquisition of land on the North American continent was completed, and America now looked to lands across the oceans for expansion. While there was a shift in the location of geographic expansion, the desire to add real estate continued as before.

� shows America standing at China with an open door controlling international affairs. This was definitely a new age for America. America also departed from the past when it got involved with the “Boxer” Rebellion. The Boxers were a group of patriotic Chinese that wanted all foreign people out of China. They revolted violently and a multinational force, including Americans, was sent to put them down. This was a contradiction to America’s policy of nonentanglement and noninvolvement. The putting down of the Boxer Rebellion was America’s debut in Asian affairs. It allowed America to exert power with the foreign nations of the Western Hemisphere. The President also pushed America away from past expansion policies. South America had many unpaid debts and foreign powers, mainly Europe, began to make their appearance in the Southern America landscape. President Roosevelt did not want Europe in Mexico because he feared Europe would move into America. So he changed the Monroe Doctrine to better fit the needs of America. His change was

Some topics in this essay:
, North American, California Oregon, Politically America, Door Policy, Americans Politics, Panamanian Revolt, Rebellion Boxers, Power America’s, World’s Plunderers”, departure past, late nineteenth-century twentieth-century, late nineteenth-century, foreign powers, nineteenth-century twentieth-century, continuation past, american continent, north american, twentieth-century united, roosevelt corollary, past expansion, north american continent, period american economy, expansionism departure past, nineteenth-century twentieth-century united,