American Foreign Policy in the 1890s Essay -- essays papers

American Foreign Policy in the 1890s American foreign policy during the 1890s was based on many factors that each acted as an individual justification for our country’s behavior as a whole. Racism, nationalism, commercialism, and humanitarianism each had its own role in the actions America took against other nations. Most Americans were extremely racist during this time period. The predominant culture in the country was white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestants, aka WASPs. They scorned the now free black people and all European immigrants that came to our nation. They gave anyone with the slightest differences a very hard time, whether they were citizens of America or not. If they did such things to their fellow countrymen, their reactions to foreigners was considerably magnified. They criticized Europeans on their foreign practices, especially when it came to Imperialism. But when they caught on to the European’s ideas, they twisted the concept to adjust it to their own needs. That’s when the other major justifications to their foreign policy come in. Humanitarianism was the major justification that Americans used when they established their territories. Americans may have shunned the Europeans’ actions to gain colonies solely for power and prestige, but they certainly weren’t going to let the Europeans be the only ones who practiced what they considered to be a pretty good idea. That’s when Americans twisted their racism around to suit their needs. They felt, as the white race, ...