Works Cited

“The Canal.” Suez Canal Authority. Suez Canal Authority, 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/sc.aspx?show=17>.

“Debate: US Imperialism.” Debatepedia. N.p., 1 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:U.S._Imperialism>.

Delizo, Rasti. “Rasti’s Global Periscope.” Wordpress. Wordpress, Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://rastiglobalperiscope.wordpress.com/>.

“First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable Completed.” The History Channel. A&E Television Networks, LLC, 2012. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-transatlantic-telegraph-cable-completed>.

“Imperialism.” Wikiwillows 2011. Tangient LLC, 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <https://wikiwillows2011.wikispaces.com/Imperialism>.

“Is the United States an Imperialist Empire?” CreateDebate. N.p., 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <httphttp://www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Is_The_United_States_an_Imperialist_Empire>.

Williford, Brad. “The Cuban Revolution of 1895 - 98.” The Spanish American War. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://www.spanamwar.com/cubanrev.htm>.

Summary

3 Things I Learned:

• I learned about the Tunisian uprising. I knew virtually nothing about Arab Spring so I definitely have become more aware of the happenings in the Middle East.
• I learned Third World was used to describe non-industrialized nations. I had heard it plenty of times, but I didn't even grasp the real meaning of the phrase, let alone the origins.
• I learned different ways the West controlled their colonial acquisitions, like with colonies, protectorates, spheres of influence, and economic imperialism.

2 Things I Found Interesting:

• I found it interesting that the US' emigration numbers is misrepresented. I always thought more emigrants came almost entirely to the US. I didn't know that a lot of emigrants went to other European countries and settlements as well. 
• I found it interesting that King Leopold cut off the hands of five to eight million natives of the Congo. Very much like Hochschild said, I think it's really appalling that we don't ever hear of that.

1 Question I Still Have:

• How long did the racist ideals and the idea that the white man needed to civilize the "dark" countries continue? Did it end with World War I?

Spotlight On: The Suez Canal

A canal to link the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea was first started in 1874 BC by Pharaoh Senausert III. It was closed and re-opened six times, and the Suez Canal was eventually opened for navigation use in 1869. It was the first canal to directly connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The Suez Canal is considered the shortest link between the east and the west. It's used extensively today, and provides a major source of income for Egypt, the controlling country. It's the fastest way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, and the shortest sea route from Europe to the lands around the Indian Ocean and western Pacific oceans. It's one of the most frequently used shipping routes in the modern world.

Tunisian Uprising

Tunisians were unhappy with high unemployment and inflation. They were deprived of freedom of expression, opportunities for political participation, and social reforms. They were discontent with their president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali because he openly displayed his wealth and was very corrupt. In December 2011 a Tunisian man, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire in protest as the police confiscated the produce he was selling. This sparked a series of protests across Tunisia as people finally rioted against the policies they had been long unhappy with. In January, President Ben Ali fled Tunisia, taking refuge in Saudi Arabia, and two months later, his political party and secret service was officially disbanded. In October, they held elections to choose an assembly that would write a new constitution and decide the new plan for continuing the move to democracy. The first assembly was held in November, electing Moncef Marzouki as temporary president and Hamadi Jebali as the new prime minister. Tunisia is continuing its way to democracy, and will soon write a new constitution.

Cuban War of 1895

In the early 19th century, the Cubans had been put under martial law by the Spanish. Between 1849 and 1851, three revolts were led in Cuba, but they all failed. In 1868, Cuban rebels rose up again, starting the Ten Years' War, but when the Cubans looked to the US for help, they were turned down. The sugar industry was ruined by this war, and in 1878, the Spanish defeated the Cubans. The Cuban economy rested heavily on the US, so when the Panic of 1893 hit, the Cuban financial system was injured. Cubans were becoming severely tired of Spanish colonial rule and Spanish economic policies. Therefore, when the Spanish withdrew constitutional guarantees in 1895, three men, Antonio Maceo, Jose Marti, and Maximo Gomez, led the Cuban Insurrection. Marti wanted racial equality, self-rule, democracy, and social justice, but he was killed not long into the war effort. The Spanish army was weakened by the revolt happening in the Philippines at the same time, and when the USS Maine mysteriously exploded on its way to Havana, the US (with President McKinley) intervened. The US soon won and took control of Cuba. Finally, in 1901, the US handed control back over to the Cuban government with terms outlined, keeping it a United States territory. It stayed this way until 1959, when another Cuban Revolution began, and Cuba became its own independent territory.

US Events

The arrival of Matthew Perry in Japan

"Opening" of Japan --> In the early 19th century, when British and European ships came too close to Japanese shores, Japan clearly reinforced their isolationist policy, thwarting the hope of trade and profit from Japan. Americans believed it was their duty to force Japan to act "civilized" and trade with the rest of the world. So, in 1853, Matthew Perry used gunboat diplomacy to demand diplomatic negotiations with the emperor, Komei. Japan was forced to open two ports and allow trade. In the next years, more and more treaties gave Europeans more rights and privileges for trading in Japan. Along with China, these instances gave Europeans more and more inspiration to continue on their, so far successful, imperialistic path.

First transatlantic telegraph cable --> In 1858, the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed. Cyrus West Field, an American businessman, was the mastermind behind the cable. Using the invention of another American, Samuel B. Morse, he succeeded on his fifth try to successfully lay an insulated telegraph cable across the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The first transatlantic telegraph was sent from Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan. Although the cable was weak and only worked for a month, it still revolutionized communication. It reduced the time of communication between the two continents from ten days to a matter of minutes. It brought the two continents closer together, as they were formerly divided by the long wait for communication.

Is the US Imperialistic Today?

Accurate or not?

In some ways the US has been very imperialistic. The US often offers financial aid and military assistance to countries that are working toward a democracy, trying to force our "better" kind of government onto the world. Some people believe that under the pretense of self-defense, we force our ideals on other parts of the world. We have had previous reputations for oppression, reflected in our treatment of the native Americans when America was first discovered and into the 19th century. Also it has gained a larger empire by taking control of some countries in Latin and Central America. The US supposedly has dominant influence in international organizations, like INF, NATO, and the UN security council, reflecting imperialistic aims of control. However, it can be argued that the US is not imperialistic as well. Although the US military budget is huge, the United States is reducing military presence in many countries it has been in for decades, like Japan and Germany. Also, the US has helped restore power and peace to many countries, not taking over like the countries of the age of new imperialism. Lastly, the US no longer tries to conquer territory. There is no more rush to plant the US flag, like there was when they joined in the imperialistic scramble in the 19th century.
             I do believe the US used to be very imperialistic, but not anymore. In the 19th century, there is no doubt about the imperialistic intentions of "opening" Japan. Also, we have taken over many territories in much the same way as other, unarguably imperialistic countries have. Although in the start of World War I, we were keeping up a facade of isolationism, we were still being imperialistic with the aid extended to Britain, and eventually our joining of the war. However, as of today, I believe we're done, at least for now, with those kinds of actions. We no longer try to conquer territory, and I believe our goals in the Middle East are to help, not to enforce our idea of being superior over Middle Easterners.