What is Imperialism, how does Manifest Destiny and Social Darwinism used to justify American imperialism? What are the negative and positive outcomes of imperialism?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Imperialism is the policy or ideology of extending a nation’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. In the case of American imperialism, it involved the United States exerting control over foreign territories, either through direct colonization or indirect control, often with the goal of expanding its economic and political reach.
Manifest Destiny was a belief that the United States was destined by God to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This belief not only justified the annexation of land but also supported the idea that the U.S. had a divine mission to spread democracy and civilization. It encouraged the expansion of American territory, even if it involved the displacement or subjugation of indigenous populations.
Social Darwinism applied Charles Darwin’s theories of natural selection to human societies. Proponents believed that just as species evolve through survival of the fittest, nations and races also rise or fall based on their strength. This idea was used to justify imperialism by arguing that stronger, more “advanced” nations had the right—and duty—to dominate weaker ones. It reinforced the notion that non-Western societies were inferior and that the U.S. had a moral obligation to govern them.
The positive outcomes of imperialism were often argued to include the spread of democracy, modernization, and technological advancement to colonized regions. For example, infrastructure like railroads and telegraphs was built, and education and healthcare were introduced in some areas.
However, the negative outcomes were significant. Imperialism led to the exploitation of indigenous populations, the destruction of local cultures, and the extraction of natural resources for the benefit of imperial powers. Colonized people often faced harsh living conditions, loss of autonomy, and violence. The legacy of imperialism has contributed to long-lasting social, economic, and political inequalities in many regions around the world.