Question

march of the flag, 1898
by sen. albert j. beveridge
senator albert j. beveridge gave this speech while running as a republican in the us senate race in indiana. he was elected in 1899. at the time, the united states had just defeated spain in the spanish - american war, and as a result won new territory from spain, including puerto rico in the caribbean, and the philippine islands and guam in the western pacific. americans were divided on the issues of expansion and imperialism. while some believed that it was wrong to colonize foreign lands, others believed that the united states had a duty to bring western civilization to those they viewed as inferior.
fellow - citizens—it is a noble land that god has given us; a land that can feed and clothe the world.... it is a mighty people that he has planted on this soil; a people sprung from the most masterful blood of history.... it is a glorious history our god has bestowed upon his chosen people; a history whose keynote was struck by liberty bell; a history heroic with faith in our mission and our future; a history of statesmen, who flung the boundaries of the republic out into unexplored lands and savage wildernesses....
therefore, in this campaign the question is larger than a party question. it is an american question. it is a world question. shall the american people continue their patient...
which statement best describes the main idea of senator albert j. beveridge’s speech “march of the flag”?

• the united states has no right to invade other territories.
• god has chosen the united states to be the greatest nation on earth.
• imperialism benefits the united states and the countries it occupies.
• the united states will soon become an economic superpower.

Explanation:

To determine the main idea, we analyze each option:

• The first option is incorrect as Beveridge supported imperialism, not opposing invasion.
• The second option focuses on the US being chosen by God but doesn't address the main idea of imperialism's benefits.
• The third option aligns with the context: after the Spanish - American War, Beveridge (a pro - imperialist) would argue that imperialism benefits both the US and the occupied countries, as seen in the belief that the US had a duty to bring Western civilization (implying benefits) and the speech's themes of the US's mission.
• The fourth option is incorrect as the speech's main idea isn't about economic superpower status but imperialism and its supposed benefits.

Answer:

C. Imperialism benefits the United States and the countries it occupies.