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Dominant Narratives on U.S. Imperialism - Coggle Diagram
Dominant Narratives on U.S. Imperialism
American Exceptionalism
Counter Narrative
Americans were not really the most unique ones because the British had also colonized
"the British colonial regime in India as a model for U.S. imperial rule." (Harris 133)
"Send forth the best ye breed--" (Kipling, line 2)
Subduing terror
"To veil the threat of terror" (Kipling)
Counter Narrative
There was no terrorizing being done by the colonized people. They were freedom fighterst aht were trying to protect lands that they owned. It was done in self-defense
"In vain ye seek to end it / With bullets, blood or death" (Johnson, lines 13-14)
Christianizing
"According to Rusling, McKinley told the churchmen that after a night of prayer and soul-searching he had concluded that it was the duty of the United States 'to educate the Filipi- nos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them.'" (Harris 14)
Counter Narrative
The Natives did not want to be enlightened by Christianity. Instead, they were forced to convert and accept the religion, or else they would be killed, as was the case with the Moro people in the Philippines
"These so-called conflicts were, in reality, massacres of Muslims who resisted US military rule, including civilians."
Creating economic opportunities for the colonized
Counter Narrative
The Natives were actually the ones losing and suffering, contrary to the imperialists' claim, which was that they were gaining jobs and opportunities due to colonialism
"The brown man's loss must ever / Imply the white man's gain." (Labouchère, lines 15-16)
"Let all your manifestoes Reek with philanthropy." (Labouchère, lines 19-20)
Colonial subjects were ungrateful for all the benefits that colonialism brought them
"The blame of those ye better / The hate of those ye guard--The cry of hosts ye humour" (Kipling, lines 35-37)
Counter Narrative
The colonized people were enraged at the invasion and annexation of their lands, as any other normal person would be
"Go make from them your living" (Labouchère, line 31)
Imperializing was a sacrifice that the U.S. made
"Go bind your sons to exile / To serve your captives' need" (Kipling, lines 3-4)
Counter Narrative
American imperialists were not sacrificing anything. In fact, they were going overseas to make a profit by terrorizing the innocent
“‘I have seen that we do not intend to free, but to subjugate the people of the Philippines. We have gone there to conquer, not to redeem . . . . And so, I am an anti-imperialist . . . .’” (Harris 3-4)