The American Revolutionary War History Essay Example

After Great Britain’s defeat during the American Revolution in 1783, thirteen small colonies gained independence and were free to become their own nation. Initially developing their new government through the Constitution in 1788, the newly independent nation was driven to expand, resulting in territorial conflicts, annexations, numerous battles, and wars. However, in the midst of the gruesome struggle, the original thirteen colonies of the past became a global power known as the United States. To have an immense amount of influence over worldwide events makes any nation a global power. This was achieved as a result of the expansion of domination by the United States’ over other territories, also known as imperialism.

Before the US’ change of status, the nineteenth century contained the earliest accounts of imperialism. Andrew Jackson—war hero of the War of 1812—was a major contributor to the US’ expansion because of Indian Removal.  In 1830, Jackson pushed the policy to Congress and supported his argument by stating the many opportunities for both Indian Americans and the American government. He argued through this policy, conflict would settle between the two groups, the American government could create cities, towns and prosperous farms to greatly benefit their economy, and Indian Americans assimilate themselves into American culture.  This policy was approved and the Treaty of New Echota was signed in 1835, declaring the relocation of the Cherokee tribe and granting the US access to seven million acres of land east of the Mississippi River.  

Many Indian Americans disapproved of the treaty and its conditions, but the efforts made to rescind it ultimately failed. By 1838, the process of relocating the Indian Americans were underway and the Trail of Tears had begun. 16,000 Cherokees were forced on a six-to-seven-month journey to their new “Indian Territory” west of Arkansas. During those long months, severe weather conditions, starvation and sickness were among the few factors that caused 4,000 Cherokee deaths.  The removal of natives from their tribal homes found justification through the belief American settlers were fated to spread their culture and political views across the continent. This was Manifest Destiny, a term coined in 1845.  More Indian Americans from various tribes continued to be relocated, and assimilation commenced through the education system. Indian American children were demanded to change themselves entirely, resulting in the loss of their cultural identity.  These events were not the cause of the US’ recognition as a global power because the nation was not capable of impacting worldwide events, although it can be said that the way the US expanded was an example of imperialism. Not only did they take land from others, but they also pressed on them their cultural beliefs. 

A similar result came from the US engaging in a war with Mexico due to failed negotiations. Known as the Mexican-American War, it lasted from 1846 to 1848 leading to Texas’ annexation and the addition of 1.2 million square miles of land to the US.  By annexation—the act of adding land to one’s own territory—and the defeat of Mexico, the US extended its power to another country, following the definition of imperialism. As a result of territorial growth, the US gained the power to challenge Spain in the Spanish-American War and began its birth as a global power.

The war started with the US on the sidelines as native Cubans revolted against the Spanish government. Tensions between Spain and the US were already high, but one of the triggers that led to US involvement was the explosion of the USS Maine—a US war ship—on February 15, 1898.  There was brief victory until the US had thrust itself onto the other nations and territories once owned by Spain. As a clear sign of imperialism, an apparent example could be made from what happened to Cuba and the Philippines, which marked the beginning of the US as a global power. In Cuba, the Teller and Platt Amendments were introduced in 1898 and 1901 to prevent the US from annexing and to allow Cuba to govern itself, but the US’ presence remained even after the war ended. The US was of the opinion that the rebels or insurgents left to authorize Cuba would not be capable of governing, and therefore, consistently interfered with Cuban affairs.  Although it was not formally made a US territory, this was imperialism because the US had significant control over Cuba.

In 1898, the US annexed Hawaii before entering the Philippines for numerous reasons. Among those reasons was to utilize Hawaii’s fertile soil to grow a variety of crops for the possibility of improving the trade and economy of the US.  In addition, the US was able to make use of Hawaii’s location to give the US sea power and to set up a naval base, meaning that it could protect the Pacific coast from other nations.  This was an example of imperialism because they were placed under the US’ political control. Hawaii also helped protect ships sailing to the Philippines, where a harsher concept of US imperialism surfaces from 1899 to 1903. Emiliano Aguinaldo—leader of the Filipino rebellion against Spain—initially welcomed the US with the aim of gaining independence, but to his surprise, it seemed the US was not willing to give it. What happened instead was a transfer of power that led to further oppression and mistreatment of the Filipino people.  This was a period of time not often talked about, but it was also when the US finally emerged as a global power. 

The evolution of the thirteen newly independent colonies to become the great United States can be accredited to imperialism. Indian Removal and the outcome of the Mexican-American War have expanded the United States all over the North American continent, increasing its territory exponentially. By doing so, the US had sufficient power and access to resources to defeat Spain in the Spanish-American War, which sparked global power. The result of the war gave the US control of several former Spanish territories overseas and prompted the annexation of Hawaii. Having defeated a powerful country and gained influence over those territories, the United States emerged as a global power by stepping foot outside of their continental borders.