Imperialism is when strong nations attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations - economically, politically, culturally, or militarily. In America, during the 1800s and 1900s, there was a debate about whether or not we should, as a nation, become imperialistic through expansion. American expansion was a decision that could forever change the United States in every way. It could make or break us, so to speak. Economically, this would mean growth in industry, a growing need for natural resources, and the need for new markets in which to sell manufactured goods. At the national level, this would create greater competition for great empires, a rise in nationalism, and the rise of the belief that the people, ideals, and goals of one nation were not superior to another. Militarily, this would involve advances in military technology and growing fleets. Finally, socially, new religious goals would emerge, as well as the "duty" to spread the blessings of Western civilization, which is an idea that seems to have been forced. for reasons similar to those of Manifest Destiny. When debating imperialism, both imperialists and anti-imperialists should keep in mind the importance of their decision and its relevance both to the growing power of the United States and to national relations with other nations. The imperialists saw only the most positive possible outcome of expansion. They believed that the time had come for the United States to take a stand in the world scheme of things. They thought that the imperialist traditions of Britain, France and Russia worked well enough and that this could only benefit the United States. Anti-imperialists thought expansion was a high-risk course of action. However the imperialists contradicted this belief, using...... middle of paper ......n giving the nationalists a sense of competitive advantage. Imperialists saw the expansion as a celebration of American traditions and the creative spirit. Their new "Great White Fleet" (made up of gleaming white ships) was a demonstration of the advantages of having a powerful navy, and the rapid gain in power began the turning of other nations to the United States for help. Therefore, to some extent the expansion increased the level of respect given to the United States and also increased the nation's world standing. However, international involvement proved to increase racial and religious discrimination, created more intense worldwide competition for superiority, and altered the American economy. Ultimately, the United States expanded and spent the rest of the century deciding how best to reconcile its new and growing power, national interests, and its relationships with other nations.