USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

[SOURCES]
What arguments did people have against the United States having an empire?

(A) ** It violated the Declaration of Independence.

(B) It violated the Magna Carta

(C) It violated the Gettysburg Address

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” It declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an independent country.

Concept note-2: -The colonists’ reasons for declaring independence and their specific complaints against the English government can be summarized into three main themes: Individual rights, representation and taxation.

Concept note-3: -John Dickinson of Pennsylvania and James Duane, Robert Livingston and John Jay of New York refused to sign. Carter Braxton of Virginia; Robert Morris of Pennsylvania; George Reed of Delaware; and Edward Rutledge of South Carolina opposed the document but signed in order to give the impression of a unanimous Congress.