American history overview and key events

Colonization: A Necessary Evil?

Harold Larrabee in his essay "The Enemies of Empire" poses many difficult, thought provoking questions regarding colonization. After reading the discussion of American colonization presented in the book "The American People: Creating a Nation and Society" the ambiguities of the situation become more apparent.

Diverse rationale for the colonization of a nation have been around since the inception of the concept. Some viewed colonization as a moral duty, while others saw it from an economic vantage point, and still others gazed upon the potential political horizons of effective assimilation. Whatever the reasoning, the issue of colonization is not an easy one.

"To colonize or not to colonize," that was the question facing late 19th century leaders of America. America was at first reluctant to expand her interests abroad. She was content to "pursue her 'manifest destiny' by expanding across the North American continent." (p 677), "but in the 1850's, American's began to look beyond their own continent." (p 677)

The first attempt at colonization (Santo Domingo) was not accepted. Ideas such as "expansionism violated the principle of self-determination by the governed, the natives were unassimilable, and higher taxes would be necessary to promote growth" (p 678) were given as reasons for the rejection. Attitudes began to change with the overthrow of the Hawaiian government and the Spanish American War.

Hawaii was easy prey for a growing nationalistic spirit. White landowners already controlled most of the island so the overthrowing of the native government for strategic and commercial reasons was not difficult. (p 678) Following this coupe. America entered the struggle for autonomy by the native Cuban people from Spanish oppression

The reasoning for joining the fight supposedly occurred because of the cruelty of the Spaniards, drummed into America's public perception by the beating of the "sensationalist newspapers in the Untied States" (p 684) In reality economic interests in the raw goods produced in Cuba were a bigger factor. Whatever the case America was ready to fight a foreign war to further her own agenda. Many people viewed this as "needless war and contended that interests at home should have precedence. " At the end of the Spanish American War Cuba was left to rule herself. Other countries were not so fortunate.

The Philippines was thrown into war with the United States after the U.S. refused to leave after the expulsion of the Spanish government. After seeing the benefits of colonization, America moved quickly to " uplift the Filipinos, civilize and Christianize them," (p 688) how noble. All of this undoubtedly caused many (Larrabee) to wonder about the validity of colonization.

The question Larrabee asks, "What extent if any, should questions of national interest and honor take precedence over those of morality and the national interests of other people?" is best answered with another question, "Are you the colonizer or the one being colonized?" To the colonizing nation, national interest will always be first and foremost. The views and wishes of the conquered mean little when big business, religious dogma, and a general feeling of superiority come into play.