What arguments and conditions influenced support for American imperialism including the Spanish-American War and acquisition of other territories?

Mid-term Essay: 19th Century American Imperialism
Due Monday by 11:59pm Points 60 Available Dec 27, 2019 at 12am – Jan 9 at 11:59pm 14 days
Mid-term Essay on 19th Century American Imperialism
Directions
You have one week to complete this essay assignment. Late submissions are accepted up to 3 days late for a 10% penalty.
Write an essay that answers the prompt question below. Construct an argument using specific supporting claims (main points) and relevant evidence from historical sources you have studied in Brinkley, lectures, and the documents provided.
The essay should be logically presented and use specific examples and evidence from:
Course Reading: Brinkley Chapter 19
Instructor Lecture: Backdrop and Context to 19th Century American Imperialism
To earn above an 85% on this paper, students must read and reference evidence for your arguments, from the primary source documents (1–12). As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of each document and the author’s point of view.
Prompt Question:
Given the context of the time, was Imperialism a legitimate policy for the United States to follow at the turn of the 19th century? To answer this you will describe and evaluate the motives FOR and AGAINST American Imperialism and America’s emergence onto the world stage, as both a military and economic power, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After offering an analysis of arguments based on primary and secondary sources, make your own argument on legitimacy given the historical context of the time.

Key Terms to Know:

Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation’s authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.
Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century doctrine that the United States had the divine right and duty to expand throughout the North American continent.
Monroe Doctrine: In a speech to Congress in 1823, President James Monroe warned European powers not to attempt further colonization or otherwise interfere in the Western Hemisphere, stating that the United States would view any such interference as a potentially hostile act. Later known as the Monroe Doctrine, this policy principle would become a cornerstone of U.S. diplomacy for generations. Because the U.S. lacked both a credible navy and army at the time, the doctrine was largely disregarded internationally.
Your essay should include the following:

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH – 125 (min.) words. Give context to 19th century American Imperialism. What conditions influenced United States expansion abroad (foreign countries)? Be sure to include themes such as “Manifest Destiny”, “The American Image”, and “Global competition”. Also be sure to have a clear thesis where you make a statement that provides the central argument for your paper and the paper’s organizational structure (preview your main points).

BODY PARAGRAPHS – 3 SECTIONS ARE REQUIRED ( min. 250 words each paragraph) Frequently reference assigned readings. Make sure to connect each body section with appropriate transitional phrases. Support your ideas and arguments with evidence and analysis from at least 6 primary source documents. Analyze the source documents taking into account the historian’s practice of being aware of: intended audience, purpose, historical context, and/or point of view.

Section 1: PRO Imperialism: What arguments and conditions influenced support for American imperialism including the Spanish-American War and acquisition of other territories?
Use Brinkley (and additional outside sources if desired) to support this section.
To earn above an 85%, this section is expected to use at least 2 primary sources (provided docs in the links below).
Section 2: Against Imperialism: What arguments and conditions influenced opposition to American imperialism including the Spanish-American War and acquisition of other territories ?
Use Brinkley (and additional outside sources if desired) to support this section.
To earn above an 85%, this section is expected to use at least 2 primary sources (provided docs in the links below).
Section 3: Argument Analysis for or against legitimacy: Was Imperialism a proper and legitimate policy for the United States to follow at the turn of the 19th century? Consider the following in your assessment: How did America’s relationship with other world powers change after the US took possession of Hawaii, the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico? Was the outcome of this policy positive or negative for American Diplomacy?
Use Brinkley (and additional outside sources if desired) to support this section.
To earn above an 85%, this section is expected to use at least 2 primary sources (provided docs in the links below).