Preceding the twentieth century, America finally made the world appear smaller. By utilizing its resources of advanced communication, transportation, and ideas, the United States became a world power (Keene, 170). This new title created conflict in and outside of America. Through this dissention, America’s role was formed by the desire to expand, obligation to help allies, and debate over entering the League of Nations. The role of the United States in the twentieth-century world should have been dominated by the hunger for power but also the desire to help those in need.
America should have designed their role including these two ideas as one. For example, Albert Beveridge gave an excellent opinion of how he believed America should have taken a higher position in the world at this time. He states, “The opposition tells us that we ought not to govern a people without their consent. I answer. The rule of liberty that all just government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, applies only to those who are capable of selfgovernment” (Document A).
Beveridge basically said that if a territory was incapable of ruling itself, then the United States should have interceded and helped the territory. This would have benefited both sides; America would have gained more land and power while the territory would have been rescued from ransack and abuse. Not only did Beveridge had an intellectual idea that would mutually benefit all those involved, but also he developed this idea with the aspiration for gain in the United States and kept the notion of helping others in need.
Imperialism is “the late nineteenth-century term for colonizing foreign nations and lands, relying primarily on business, political, and military structures rather than settlers to rule colonized peoples and exploit their resources” (Keene, 198). When Cuba revolted against being ruled by Spain, America saw an important opportunity to expand (Keene, 173). They acted on this opportunity in a vengeful, power hungry way. America did not include the perspective of anyone else except themselves. This shows the significance of the desire to help the powerless. Following the Spanish-American War, the Philippine’s was a controversial topic.
America answered by using imperialistic values to solve the problem. Carl Schurz identifies the errors in the way America wanted to handle this. He states that the Filipino murders, exploitation, and harm were “needless horror” (Document B). This Anti-Imperialism view demonstrated the selfish vision the United States was condoning. George W. Norris stated,”Before taking this momentous step, and while standing on the brink of this terrible vortex, we ought to pause and calmly and judiciously consider the terrible consequences of the step we are about to take” (Document]).
This statement concludes the overall decision of the United States to enter World War I. America did not consider the amount of destruction and devastation that would come with this war. Especially since the nation was barely ever directly impacted by the war. The United States felt obligated to help the allies involved in the war; however, America should have kept to themselves and exercised complete neutrality. Instead, the United States ignored the warning of the military zones and put American citizens at a knowing risk when entering the zones (Document]).
America cared more about the illegal actions of Germany than the protection of its citizens. The League of Nations was a very debatable subject in the twentieth-century. If the United States joined it, many feared for America’s independence (Document F). However, if the United States did not join, then America would be in constant fear of their safety. President Woodrow Wilson and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge had differing opinions of the League of Nations (Keene, 230). Wilson’s argument gave an emotional appeal to the sacrifices of those who served the war (Keene, 230).
This speech was not concerned with the selfish values of independence. It was centered on the safety of Americans who were directly affected by the war. Essentially, this idea should have been the founding principle of the position of the United States in the World. America should put the welfare of its citizens before the World. Although the United States resolved these problems, they should have clearly defined their role in the world as authoritative and protective.
In conclusion, the responsibility of America could have embodied security and still have kept a powerful essence. First, the nation should have compromised their imperialistic views and asserted dominance yet aided nations who needed it. Then, America should have rid themselves of selfishness, and considered other’s perspectives on the situations. America should have exhibited the pride in their citizens; additionally, America should have taken extra precautions to protect nationals. Eugene V. Debs summed it up in Critic of World War I.
As he stated, “And here let me emphasize the fact–and it cannot be repeated too often–that the working class who fight all the battles, the working class who make the supreme sacrifices, the working class who freely shed their blood and furnish the corpses, have never yet had a voice in either declaring war or making peace. It is the ruling class that invariably does both. They alone declare war and they alone make peace” (Document E). America’s role in the World should have been considerate of all sides and helpful to all who needed help.