Read the speech by US senator Albert. Does he support or protest US expansion? Provide a quote from his speech that proves your point.

Question

“Hawaii is ours; Puerto Rico is to be ours; at the prayer of the people, Cuba will finally be ours; in the islands of the East, even to the gates of Asia, coaling stations are to be ours; at the very least the flag of a liberal government is to float over the Philippines, and I pray God it may be the banner that Taylor unfurled in Texas and Frémont carried to the coast—the stars and stripes of glory. The march of the flag! . . . Think of the thousands of Americans who will pour into Hawaii and Puerto Rico when the republic’s laws cover those islands with justice and safety! Think of the tens of thousands of Americans who will invade mine and field and forest in the Philippines when a liberal government, protected and controlled by this republic, if not the government of the republic itself, shall establish order and equity there! Think of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who will build a soap-and-water, common-school civilization of energy and industry in Cuba when a government of law replaced the double reign of anarchy and tyranny. “

answer:Economic Interests: Advocates argued that expansion would enhance American economic power by providing access to new markets and resources. This included the potential for increased trade and the exploitation of valuable resources from newly acquired territories.

Spreading Civilization: Proponents like Senator Albert Beveridge believed in a mission to spread American values, government policies, and culture. They viewed U.S. expansion as a way to bring "civilization" and "order" to regions they perceived as lacking effective governance.

Military Protection: Supporters contended that American presence would offer military protection to these territories. They believed that U.S. governance would ensure stability and prevent anarchy or tyranny, thereby creating a safer environment for both American settlers and local populations.

Manifest Destiny: The belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that the United States was destined to expand across the continent and beyond—also fueled imperialist sentiments. Many saw the expansion as a natural extension of American progress and a fulfillment of their national destiny.

National Prestige: Expansion was often viewed as a way to enhance the United States’ standing on the global stage. By acquiring new territories, supporters believed the U.S. could assert itself as a powerful and influential nation among world powers.

Cultural Superiority: Many supporters held ethnocentric views, believing that American culture and democracy were superior and should be spread to other parts of the world. They often framed imperialism as a benevolent effort to uplift and modernize other societies.

Overall, those in favor of U.S. expansion framed it within contexts of opportunity, duty, and national pride, viewing it as beneficial not only for the United States but also for the territories involved.

Answer 1

Senator Albert Beveridge clearly supports U.S. expansion in his speech. He expresses a vision of American influence and governance spreading to newly acquired territories as a means of providing stability and prosperity. A key quote that demonstrates this sentiment is:

“Think of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who will build a soap-and-water, common-school civilization of energy and industry in Cuba when a government of law replaced the double reign of anarchy and tyranny.”

This quote encapsulates his belief that U.S. governance would bring order and progress to regions seen as chaotic or underdeveloped, reflecting his view that expanding American influence is a beneficial endeavor.