DEMOCRATIC DEBATE 08'

OMG!!!!!!! Did anyone else watch the debate!!??? That was the most entertaining part of the presidental election so far. This debate was better than the last!! Obama was a cannon against Hillary and John Edwards amazed me when he began to speak up! I guess he's realized that the main aspect of his campaign that he's lack is popularity! He's surely going to be the "talk of the town" after that. He put his foot down and stood up against Obama and Clinton. If I was able to vote, I don't know who I's choose now!!! That debate has surely left me on edge.

To what extent was economics the primary factor in the U.S. adopting a policy of imperialsim?

Imperialism is what caused the U.S. to want to become a "world power" soon to make the world one United States. Imperialism is the idea of extending rule or influence toward another nation or foreign country.Ideas from Rosa Luxemburg, Joseph Schumpeter and John Hobson can be accounted on introducing imperialism. There were two forms of imperialism, Formal and Informal imperialsim. Formal being by force as Informal by logic. Imperialist ideas eventually led to the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War was clearly Formal imperialism. Spain’s treatment of Cuba caused the United States to intervene. Other main factors causing the Spanish-American War include Yellow Journalism and DeLome Letter. The statement "The primary factor in the United States adopting a policy of imperialism was economic" is partially correct, yet in better wording, The U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies was primarily social and somewhat economic due to the spread of Social Darwinism, use of religious justificaton to cover economic intentions, and the attack on Hawaii for its foreign commodity, sugar.

A sense of nationalism and pride took over the United States. They soon became to believe they were superior to the other nations. This could be related to Manifest Destiny. It was thought that it was America's duty to crown itself as the "world power". Republican morals and values were soon to change after the introduction of Social Darwinism. America's triumphs through a Revolution and Civil war sent pride and arrogance throughout the nation becoming one of the most important causes of the U.S. adopting imperialist policies.

In 50 years, from the Civil War to World War I, the U.S. was to take its stand on becoming a world power. This should be concedered the main reason the U.S. adopted imperialist polices soley because of the repition of America's arrogance leading to reasoning of expansion. Other cases such as Manifest Destiny show how pride and nationalism boost American spirits to the point where they feel they are the best nation, though they were indeed the product of a greater nation, Britain.


It was said that imperialism was to Christianize foregin countries and save foreigners from hell. It is not new that religion has been the reasong for U.S. expansion. Reverend Josiah Strong was an advocate for using religion to justify imperialism. It was said that imperialism allowed "civilized" Christian cultures opporotunity to spread their religion to the "lesser". This was by all means a farce. It was an attempt to hide the U.S.'s economic hunger. It was obvious that more land would eventually lead to more capital. Religion was mearly a way of muting criticism and was used often used.

Economically, Hawaii was known for its favorable good, sugar. As Queen Liliuokalani attempted to fight off America, imperialist policies grew. America viciously fought Hawaii for its sugar feigning for the economic growth the U.S. would recieve if they were to be in control. This is a main example of the U.S.'s using imperialism to prosper economically. These motivives were hidden to American people because of the U.S. using religion as its extreme justification.

In Conclusion, the U.S.'s reasoning for adopting imperialist policies were both social and economic due to Social Darwinism, Religion, and Foreign goods. Though America used religious justifications to hide economic hunger, social arrogance and pride is what truely caused America to impose imperialist policies. It is still to this day that America believes that we are the greatest nation and have no limits, which could also be connected to the reasoning why we are in Iraq. America has a long way to go to end our arrogant ways before it in all, ruins the United States.

REVISED:How Successful were the Populists?

The time between 1870 and 1896 was practically all about postwar politics and the populists. Though big business defeated the labor unions during the Industrial Era, the Populists sought to confront a variety of urban and rural problems. The Populists fused together with the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to contest big business control over the marketplace. The Populists and Democratic party also emerged in the 19th century. Republican administration did lots to support the rise of big business. The Populists were a representation of groups that had the same political platform. Though, unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were quite successful in their goals such as influencing a reform towards the printing of money and influencing an income tax between 1900-1916(Progressive Era).

The industrial age made farmers more efficient. Just as the steel plow and the cotton gin had increased productivity, so did irrigation and the tractor. Farm production skyrocketed. As with any product the greater the supply, the lower the price. In response to this deflation farmers grew more crops. This time however, as production continued to increase, prices continued to fall. Farmers ended up making less money.

In 1900 America went on the Gold Standard. This meant every dollar was exchangeable for a dollar of gold. The US promised to have gold reserves equal to the amount of money in circulation. The issue was that this limits the amount of money in circulation while raising the value of money. This effect on farmers was further deflation. Their loans on farm acreage remained but their income dropped.

In response to the problems farmers were facing, they formed the Populist Party. They elected William Jennings Bryan as leader and first candidate for president. As a third party the Populists hoped to get their ideas at least viewd mainstream. They soon realized a Populist would never be elected president but they had a good chance that one of the major parties would incorporate the populist message into their platform.

Populists sought to eliminate of the gold standard. Populists supported the Silver Standards which would have made money cheaper and more available. This would have created inflationary pressure and raised prices. They wanted passage of an income tax. They wanted end of life tenure of Federal Judges. And last, the end of the printing of paper currency by nationally chartered private banks.

The Populist Party did not achieve all of their goals. The nation remained on the gold standard until 1933. By 1911 the the new Federal Reserve System took over the printing of money. An income tax was passed. And,most importantly they proved that a third party could influence national politics and generate legislation.

In end the Populist Party failed to survive. They did do well in 1892, yet lacked money, organization and candidates to follow-up in 1894. In that year their total vote was up 50%, but they made few electoral gains. Fusion with the Democratic Party seemed to be an answer, yet most Populists did not agree with this approach. Although in 1896 the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan for president, a Democratic candidate.

In Conclusion, though the Populists did not survive, its goals did. When comparing the goals in the Populist platform and then examining results in the Progressive Era, practically every goal was met. Any goal that was not met it was in the least adressed. In some situations the Populist party did not recieve everything they wanted but no one ever does. Unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were successful in their goals especially between 1900-1916 and in all, the Populist party changed the landscape of America.