Looking back over weeks 7-9, what in your view was
the 1) most common and 2) most effective strategy for American expansion abroad
in the period 1890-1920. Formal empire? Dollar diplomacy? Americanization? Or an
interplay of all three? (80-100 words, by 5pm Friday October 5)
The most common and most effective strategy for American expansion abroad was a combination of formal empire and dollar diplomacy. The 1912-1933 occupation of Nicaragua can be seen as an expression of the American desire for formal empire. Following a rising against the recently installed pro-American regime, which the United States had large financial leverage over, the United States occupied Nicaragua. The United States had no qualms about combining formal empire with dollar diplomacy, or even dispensing with dollar diplomacy and moving to formal empire, which the occupation of Nicaragua could be considered an example of.
ReplyDeleteThe most common strategy of American expansion was dollar diplomacy. While there were times where America instigated formal empires, these were exceptional cases in comparison to the trading throughout South America and Europe. But the strategy that was truly successful was Americanization. It's success is seen by the elevation of Woodrow Wilson by Europeans at the end of the great war. A formal empire is successful in so far as it forces Americanization, but ruins that chance of for countries embrace it. The true success was when countries voluntarily desired to emulate America
ReplyDeleteThe most common form of American expansion in this time was informal empire through 'dollar diplomacy'. While there were instances of formal empire through direct control, like the Phillipines and to a certain extent Nicargua, the prevailing beliefs of Roosevelt and Taft certainly pushed for a subtler form of control through economic domination. These beliefs, later formalised as "dollar diplomacy" under Taft, informed the U.S domination of industries in Cuba, custom houses in Santo Domingo, and the revolution in Panama which pave the way for the economically profitable Panama canal. However, cultural expansion was America's most successful form of aggrandisement . The awe and admiration that was generated by American cultural and technological products like buffalo bill and Kodak cameras at the exposition in Paris, coupled with the enduring success and pervasiveness of American films, demonstrates how successful 'Americanisation' was.
ReplyDeleteThe most common strategy for American expansion abroad during the period of 1890-1920 was informal empire by means of 'dollar diplomacy.America during this time exerted much of its control through economic domination especially behind the beliefs of those such as Roosevelt and Taft. On certain occasions domination through formal empire was used in the interest of American expansionism in the case of the Philippines and in part with Nicargua, but this was not the main method used.However,the most effective strategy used was Americanisation. The esteem held by the Europeans for Woodrow Wilson at the end of World War One is a good example of this. In addition many countries wanted to emulate America in terms of their culture,technology and films.
ReplyDeleteOver the course of 1890-1920, it can be argued that the most common strategy for American expansion was ‘dollar diplomacy’. There were however instances whereby formal empire was utilized by the United States in cases such as Nicaragua, however economic trade was greatly prominent and excelled as the United States were able to form economic ties with that of European and South American nations. The most effective strategy for American expansion nevertheless was Americanization, especially through the use of soft power. The United States generated an image which perpetuated cultural advancement which was highly emphasized by technological products like Kodak and many more.
ReplyDeleteMilitary occupation was not only inefficient, it was the most controversial form of American expansion. So-called dollar diplomacy allowed the Americans to greatly control foreign financial environments, and consequently foreign political environments. They used this control in Latin America to create stable trade partnerships, and to establish regimes friendly to American interests and influence. Informal imperialism was highly effective in establishing American authority abroad.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to America’s use of ‘soft power’, whether or not it was effective seems dependent on what Americanization actually contributes to US national interest. It became much more common during the early 20th century, and was certainly effective in exporting an image of America as a land of wealth and opportunity; the subsequent waves of immigration into the country bear testament to that.
Within this period of American history it seems all three of the above strategies played a significant role in American foreign policy. The use of Monroe Doctrine is a clear example of the United States’ hard power projection and the impact of this policy can still be viewed today. Alongside this it appears clear with its involvement in the Phillipines the US for a time entertained ideas of a ‘formal empire’. Nevertheless in spite of the above it is clear ‘Americanization’ also left a profoundly enduring legacy even if the application of the strategy encountered considerable difficulties.
ReplyDeleteFirstly the most common form over 1890-1920 (while obviously all three occur in this time) was some form of Americanization. For example, intervening in the Philippines, while it can be seen as ‘formal Empire’ was also a form of Americanisation, as the Americans wanted to ‘free’ the Philippines so that they could become a civilized, democratic nation, and while they believed (or argued) they were spreading democracy, they were really spreading American ideals. However the most effective strategy was there interplay of all three, as they were able to maintain moral, economic and military superiority over there surrounding lands, without ‘conquering’ them as such.
ReplyDeleteThe most common strategy for American expansion during that time seemed to be by means of dollar diplomacy and Americanisation. A country’s economy is vital for its succession and so it was important for United States to have an informal empire by taking advantage of its economic upperhand in order to expand abroad. But at the same time, the inhabitants of a country need to welcome or at least tolerate any foreign involvement and this is where Americanisation came into play. This paved the way for successful American expansion abroad.
ReplyDeleteThe strategic and economic benefits offered to America via policies of dollar diplomacy toward the end of the 19th century best served America’s goals of exerting regional influence. The Panama Canal project and U.S. government policies aimed at protecting American business interests in Haiti and Cuba’s sugar markets in the 1890s from European monopolisation demonstrate the will of America to bring foreign countries under American influence through economic means. The methods of dollar diplomacy were more effective than formal empire policies that had been ineffective in the Philippines, however informal economic methods often saw American occupation of strategic ports or harbours. Limited interventions into foreign nations reinforced trade or political interests, for instance the U.S. Marine occupation of the Mexican port city Veracruz resulted in restructuring of Mexican politics that was favourable to U.S. regional interests.
ReplyDeleteAmerican expansion from 1890-1920 was a successful amalgamation of all three strategies: Formal Empire, Dollar Diplomacy and Americanization. All three strategies are reliant on each other to be effective. Initial 'hard power,' championed by the Monroe Doctrine, laid the foundation for Dollar Diplomacy, or 'soft power.' Similarly, being able to maintain both hard and soft power meant that American ideals were able to be effectively disseminated and still resonate today.
ReplyDeleteInformal empire through the means of a dollar diplomacy was the most effective and most common strategy for American expansion in the 1890-1920s. During this period control was exerted through economic domination, as seen and enforced through the beliefs of Taft and Roosevelt. It was of huge importance to the United States to have an advantage due to its economic strength in order for their expansion to be successful. An example of this strategy includes the economic trade in South America, particularly through the Cuban sugar markets in the 1890s.
ReplyDeleteAlthough formal expansion enabled the fruition of the powerful American nation that had emerged by 1890, from the period of 1890-1920s American dollar diplomacy was the most effective form of American expansion. Dollar diplomacy enabled America to wield it economic might unbridled from the domestic opposition, logistical difficulties of formal empire. Presidents such as Wilson and Taft are notable for their use of dollar diplomacy. South American bore a large share of the brunt of American dollar diplomacy, regulation of the Cuban sugar market being a powerful example. Americanisation was also a common form of expansion, but perhaps more difficult to asses. However, one can not that throughout the period older European Empires retained a power and clout that offered an alternative to emulating America. Casimir Zichy-Woinarski 22034897
ReplyDeleteFormal Empire, Dollar Diplomacy and Americanisation were all important methods of implementing expansion between 1890 and 1920. Dollar Diplomacy was however, the most important in achieving expansion as it relied on the essential ingredients of economic dominance. Through Presidents Taft and Roosevelt, America was able to implement a stranglehold over South American and Central American countries and their respective economies thus ensuring their domestic success. In many ways, Americanisation and a Formal Empire can be seen as a by-product of their Dollar Diplomacy achievements.
ReplyDeleteThe most common strategy for American expansion abroad was certainly ‘dollar diplomacy.’ Examples of this expansion technique can be seen through the Central and South Americas, with American banks “swooping” into a struggling country and refinancing their debt to avoid the emergence of any sort of new European influence. This is how America gained control, and effectively created further opportunities for interference in the future. However, perhaps the most successful strategy – if we regard it that way – for expansion, is Americanisation. The allure of Capitalism, Consumerism, and essentially the influence of the American idolisation of freedom, creates a compelling example for other countries – this is what America was, and still is good at; control by cultural influence and leading by example.
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