Thursday, October 17, 2013




Rudyard Kipling’s famous 1899 poem called "The White Man's Burden"
Take up the White Man’s burden–
      Send forth the best ye breed–
Go, bind your sons to exile
      To serve your captives’ need;
To wait, in heavy harness,
      On fluttered folk and wild–
Your new-caught sullen peoples,
      Half devil and half child.

American Imperialism
International competition can lead to conflict and cooperation.  As the pace of westward expansion slowed, many Americans looked overseas for new opportunities.  Some viewed this as a chance to spread American culture and to help those they considered "less civilized."  Others believed foreign markets would help the economy.  These feelings eventually led to the annexation of Hawaii and to the opening of Japan to trade.  The U.S. also bought many raw materials from Latin America and hoped to increase the sale of manufactured goods to that region.  As the U.S. increased its influence in overseas markets, it developed the need for a strong, modern navy to protect its international interests.  By the 1890s, the U.S. was becoming one of the top naval powers in the world. (American Vision, pg 294).






Your assignment is to review the above political cartoons.  Then you are to post a comment on at least one of these and decide which cartoon demonstrates the 'White Man's Burden' the most and why.  Discuss who is in the cartoon and what the cartoon is saying...is it pro or con towards Imperialism, do you think it was a necessity for America to step into the Imperialism race?  Defend your position.

The comments must be appropriate and must include information that you gain from researching the links provided.  You must also respond to at least one other comments from your classmates.