American history continues as the United States advanced post Civil War into the early 1900s, our strength grew and with it wisely or unwisely we expanded our foreign policy out into the world with all its challenges good and bad.
On Becoming A World Power by Michael Doyle Since the War of 1812, America's focus had been mostly inward Insulated by two oceans, mostly our trade that had our outward Disposition; a disposition of displaying equal liberty Avoiding entanglements as a prayerful benediction for all liberty Choosing not to go abroad in search of monsters to destroy It was seen as endangering the very soul of America to deploy In the name of wars of interested intrigue lacking in extrication Surrendering to avarice and ambition, the spirit of our nation John Quincy Adams was reasoned as he promoted due caution As we can see today, it was right to the take such precautions At least, inasmuch as allowing for the defensive Monroe Doctrine Keeping Europe out of the Americas with its infernal plotting After the Civil War, many thought of extending republicanism Through Manifest Destiny being extended into colonialism But to do this would be to embrace the risk of imperialism As all elites were doing as was evidenced by empiricism A mix of Social Darwinism and a related Social Gospel's duty Were used to argue for and acquire new land and booty With the increasing trade, a powerful navy became paramount Forward into the future for whatever challenges we'd surmount Beveridge's march of the flag wove together all elements Into the growing imperialist policy's most cogent argument It is perhaps with these degrees of feigned sanctimony That we would trade our standard of liberty for trading colonies Alaska was acquired from the Russians as Seward's Folly The isles of Samoa and Hawai'i also became part of our story At last eyes turned toward Spain's Cuba as being of interest Yellow Dog journalism led the way to a war in which to wrest From Spain as public outrage is hard to resist or to ignore Yet still, Grover Cleveland would push back from this war Until McKinley was elected seeking a canal and independence Remembering the Maine caused war hawks to be in ascendance These cries brought rise to that splendid little war One hundred and fourteen days catapulted us to the door Of colonialism and also pronounced as a world great power Sinking the Spanish Empire and bring our Filipino hour Though speaking of self rule, some were given to annexation This caused an ensuing debate across our great nation The anti-imperialists strongly objected citing the Constitution While the imperialists ignored principles as an over simplification There were then the objections based on Gompers' racism As well as the Filipinos having their own mind for nationalism William Howard Taft became the governor fighting their insurrection At last in 1946, the Philippines was made free for their dedication Another territory gained, was the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Neither entirely in nor entirely out on and on this would go Perhaps it was concern over having imposed a Platte Amendment In which America allowed only so much Cuban free government This as the Cubans stated was gulling to belief in liberty It does not speak entirely well as it sets in American History America's divided heart plays on not withstanding Practicalities of entanglement can make ideals quite demanding (c) April 1, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
