Post #9 - Imperialism Risks and Benefits

What do you think of the American Imperialism we looked at this week? Are the risks of imperial entanglements worth the benefits?

I believe that, when assessing benefits and risks, perspective in key. For example, in the document we examined this week, the man was arguing for conquest of the Philippines. He stated that the founding fathers would be glad that the Americans took the land, but that was just his perspective. Not everybody believes in Jefferson’s glorious American Empire spreading democracy around, but for this person, it was a large benefit for the imperializing of the Philippines. It depends on what a country is attempting to get from the endeavor. For example, a struggling economy would be interested in the Philippines for the trade access with Asia, or an overpopulated country may be interested in sole expansion. In all of these situations, one aspect must still be assessed, which is the population of the conquered country. Assuming they will be opposed to a foreign invader, they will most likely fight for their homeland. The benefit of a stronger economy or a larger mass of land must be weighed against loss of life and the fact that the local population may never accept the conquerors. Loss of life is always a subject for domestic unhappiness, so that is another risk of it all. Essentially, in response to the question, I would say that it depends on the state of the country and the magnitude of the benefit, as anything from war to diplomatic sanctions could occur from engaging in imperial activity. To relate this back to the Philippines, would the United States have been fine without taking the country? Was it necessary for the continuation of the country? Or was it simply to better their standing in the world, regardless of the ensuing war with Spain?   

-Chavez Rodriguez