why did the United States become involved in Imperialism?

Question

Many Americans didnt agree with US foreign policy about imperialism . The US decided to become involve in imperialism anyway why?

Answer 1

I fear it's the corporate war machine .. a handy monster at the hands of a deluded "visionary" who sits with the Saudis to plush up the family Bush fortune.
This belies the true destiny of the U.S,

Answer 2

Your question is totally bogus.

There is a huge difference between the U.S. and an imperialist country. To appreciate this difference, let's look at real imperialist countries in recent history.

Japan was an empire. When it put its armies someplace, it was to rule with an iron fist, and make the local populace do exactly as the emperor commanded.

England was an empire. It ruled countries like India, drafting their laws, administering every aspect of their daily lives, and dictating the rights and privileges that the people could enjoy.

The USSR was an empire. Once it got its claws into a country, that country could never kick them out. Czechoslovakia tried just to put a "human face" on Communism, and in harsh response the Soviets sent in tanks to maintain absolute control over them.

Now, do you see the sharp contrast between a real imperial power and the U.S.? When the U.S. has miitary bases in a country, it is because that country sees a benefit of having them the base there. Many times, the country greatly benefits economically from our being there. They welcome us.

In recent years, some countries have asked the U.S. to remove its bases and we complied. Back in the days of imperialism, Japan, England, and the USSR would have laughed at a country asking them to remove a military (well, the USSR wouldn't have "laughed"; they had no sense of humor, just plenty of tanks to roll down your main street).

Imperialism means expansionist desires, where the target country becomes a possession of the Empire. The U.S. never annexes any country. We have had a military base in South Korea for over 50 years. Do you think South Korea is anything but completely independent? Did you know that occasionally the people vote on whether to keep our bases there? That is definitely not something a subjugated people could do. Hence, the U.S. is most definitely not an empire.

Now, the U.S. is certainly not an isolationist country like it used to be. Too many places around the globe have needed help to maintain their independence against foreign (or even internal) aggressors. It is not logistically possible for the U.S. to aid these countries without having some nearby base. It is actually a lack of bases that invites trouble. Would Saddam Hussein have invaded Kuwait if we had a base there? No, never.

The U.S. at some point realized the world needs a policeman, and we reluctantly have become just that. Sometimes I wonder if we're not the world's babysitter. In any case, we are most definitely not an imperialist nation. The definition of Imperialism is completely at odds with the actions and diplomatic stance of the U.S.

Answer 3

We have become the worlds wet nurse. Thats a distinction I wish would change. Most Americans would love the government to use its resources at home.

Answer 4

We were pretty much isolationists up until World War II. But even when we were minding our own business, we got attacked.

Policy changed from not making enemies to taking out potential enemies before they could attack us.

Answer 5

Corporate greed has dominated life in the US, by controlling and manipulating everything. Now it's spreading worldwide in the quest for higher profit through cheap labor. If people of the world don't ban together, we will all be their slaves.