American Imperialism: The Cultural Encounters

Written By: Oluyomi O.

Some could argue that the idea of America Imperialism was driven by the idea of Manifest Destiny, but others claim that the expansionism experienced during this time was necessitated in part by the need for economic and trade expansion.

In the 1890s, the industrial and manufacturing sector had flourished to a point where the demand within the country could not meet the national supply.  This new surplus and the depression of 1893 created a new quest and demand for a wider consumer base.  While European countries were already flooding into countries such as China and Africa, many believed that the American Market had to spread its tentacles to foreign countries and explore the markets.  This new expansionism and trade with other countries not only brought economic transactions, but there was a lot of cultural interplay and mingling.

During the late nineteenth century, the impact of the cultural exchange was obvious in the American culture.  Pictures, artifacts and other souvenirs from the international travel were evident in America.  An example of this was noticed at the Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, which depicted the fusion of International cultures.  The exposition had streets in the replica of different countries and cultures, and had performances from exotic dancers such as the “hootchy kootchy dancers” (Jones et al., 2008, p.442).

“Making shoes on a "Street in Cairo.”: This was one of the first amusements to introduce exotic dancing to America (www.chicagohs.org/history. http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo/ex2.html

         A mosque in the Turkish Village

http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo/ex2.html

These cultural elements were used to sell products and commercialized amusement. American travels, voyages and cultural encounters were captured in oil paintings, canvasses and jewelry that were marketed both here and abroad. The encounter with the exotic also created a new market branding with tobacco companies making Oriental brand names like “Fatima” (Jones et al., 2008, p.435).

http://www.wantedcowgirls.com/images/FatimaCigarettes-wc.jpg

References

Jones, J., Wood, P.H., Borstelmann, T., May, E. T., & Ruiz, V. L. (2008). Created Equal: A social and political history of the United States. New York, NY: Pearson Longman Press.

The Chicago Historical Society. http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo/ex2.html