Compare and Contrast American Expansion in the late 1800's with the expansion in the 1900's. (How the expansion efforts were the same and how they were different.)

During the expansion of the late 1800's and early 1900's shared similarities in that the Americans believed that the U.S. must expand the borders in order to keep the country growing. The Americans believed that the U.S. was the strongest of nations and they could take any land they pleased. This was shown in the "Darwinism" of the late 1800's and early 1900's. During the early years of expansion, The Americans pushed the Native Americans aside.

For centuries Americans had been moving westward and had been developing a continent. The Realization that all the frontier land was gone and since the Civil War there was an incredibly productive industrial complex that Americans had built. This brought a belief that Americans must now move from continental expansion to overseas economic and industrial expansion.

You have only one sentence about the 1900s. What are the differences and similarities in American expansions in the two centuries?

However, there were also significant differences in the expansion efforts of the late 1800s and the 1900s. In the late 1800s, much of the expansion was focused on acquiring territory within North America. The United States engaged in a policy of Manifest Destiny, which involved expanding westward and incorporating territories such as Texas, Oregon, and California. The goal was to expand American influence and secure resources.

In contrast, the expansion efforts of the 1900s were more focused on overseas territories and establishing a global presence. This was driven by factors such as the desire for new markets for American goods and the need to protect American economic interests abroad. This period saw the United States engage in imperialistic policies, such as the acquisition of territories like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War.

Another difference between the two periods of expansion was the approach towards indigenous populations. In the late 1800s, Native Americans were often forcibly removed from their lands and pushed aside to facilitate American settlement. This was done through policies such as the Indian Removal Act and the forced relocation of tribes to reservations.

In the 1900s, however, there was less emphasis on displacing indigenous populations within the United States. The focus shifted towards the acquisition and control of overseas territories, where the interests of the indigenous populations were often overlooked or disregarded. This led to conflicts and exploitation in places like the Philippines.

Overall, while both the late 1800s and the 1900s saw American expansion efforts driven by a belief in American exceptionalism and the need to secure resources and markets, there were notable differences in the territories targeted for expansion and the treatment of indigenous populations. The late 1800s focused more on acquiring territory within North America, while the 1900s involved overseas expansion and the establishment of a global presence.

To compare and contrast American expansion in the late 1800s and the 1900s, there are several key points to consider.

1. Motives for Expansion:
In both periods, the belief in American exceptionalism and a sense of manifest destiny played a significant role in driving expansion efforts. Americans felt a duty to spread their values and influence to foreign lands. This sentiment was particularly evident in the late 1800s with the concept of Social Darwinism, which argued that it was the natural right of superior nations to dominate inferior ones. In the 1900s, the emphasis shifted towards economic and industrial expansion as Americans sought new markets and resources for their growing industries.

2. Methods of Expansion:
In the late 1800s, American expansion primarily focused on acquiring territories in the Western Hemisphere, often through military interventions or annexations. Examples include the acquisition of territories like Texas, California, and the Philippines. The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 further demonstrated American expansionism.

However, in the 1900s, the United States expanded its influence through different means. Instead of directly annexing territories, the U.S. focused on establishing economic and political dominance over regions. This was exemplified by the Open Door Policy in China, which aimed to secure access to Chinese markets and prevent other powers from controlling the country. The U.S. also engaged in "dollar diplomacy" and the establishment of economic spheres of influence in Latin America.

3. Native American Relations:
In both periods, the expansion efforts had a significant impact on Native American populations. The late 1800s saw the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands and their confinement to reservations. Treaties were often violated, leading to the displacement and marginalization of Native communities.

In the 1900s, although the direct conflict with Native Americans had subsided, the expansionist zeal of the United States still imposed significant changes on Native communities. The assimilation policies, such as the Dawes Act of 1887, aimed to dissolve Native American tribal identities and reservations by allotting individual land plots to Native individuals. This had a lasting impact on Native communities and their cultural heritage.

In summary, both the late 1800s and 1900s saw American expansion efforts driven by a belief in American exceptionalism and manifest destiny. However, the methods of expansion and the focus of expansion shifted in the 1900s towards economic and industrial dominance. Additionally, while Native American relations were negatively affected in both periods, the nature of the impact differed.