The Shift in US Foreign Policy Under President McKinley

During the presidency of William McKinley, the United States foreign policy underwent a significant shift due to a combination of factors that influenced the country's approach to international relations. One key reason for this change was the growing influence of militant Protestants who believed that the United States had a divine mission to civilize and Christianize other nations. This belief, often referred to as the ideology of "Manifest Destiny," fueled a sense of American exceptionalism and provided a moral justification for expanding the nation's influence abroad.

The publication of Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden" in 1899 further solidified this belief, calling on America to take up the responsibility of colonizing and annexing territories in the Caribbean, Central America, and Asia. This ideology played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing policymakers to pursue a more aggressive and expansionist foreign policy.

Additionally, the economic depression of 1893 created a sense of economic uncertainty and social unrest within the United States. Many Americans believed that acquiring foreign territories would help alleviate economic hardships at home by providing new markets for American goods and sources of raw materials. This economic rationale further motivated the government to seek out new territories for expansion.

The outbreak of the Cuban rebellion against Spanish rule in 1896 provided a catalyst for the United States to intervene in foreign conflicts and assert its power on the global stage. The sinking of the USS Maine in 1898, while disputed in its causes, was used as a pretext to declare war on Spain and further expand American influence in the Caribbean and Pacific.

As a result of these factors, the United States acquired territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a departure from its previous anti-imperialist stance. The acquisition of these colonies went against the traditional rhetoric of American foreign policy, which had historically been critical of colonialism and imperialism.

Furthermore, McKinley's assassination in 1901 led to the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, who was even more imperialistically minded and continued the developments initiated under McKinley's administration. Roosevelt's assertive foreign policy, known as "Big Stick Diplomacy," further expanded American influence overseas and cemented the country's status as a global power.

In conclusion, the presidency of William McKinley marked a significant turning point in US foreign policy, characterized by a shift towards imperialism and expansionism driven by religious, economic, and political motivations. These factors combined to shape a new era of American interventionism and influence on the global stage, setting the stage for further developments in the years to come.