The Imperialist Debate

Focus Question:• Describe what happens when you and your

friends disagree on an issue.

Rationale for Imperialism• Strong drive for the U.S. to become an imperial

power• Commerce• National Security• National Stature• Export Democracy

Anti-Imperialist League• Opposition Arose to Imperialism• Anti-Imperialist League formed• Drew from all walks of life• Labor and Capital• North and South• Country and City

Arguments of the League• Unnecessary for trade• U.S. should focus on producing the best• People would buy

• U.S. would be drawn into foreign wars

• Labor• Colonial peoples would compete for U.S. jobs•Wage levels would drop

• Betrayed basic American ideals• Ape European powers• Turn our backs on the founders