America as a World Power

Ch.10 ImperialismAmericans dramatically changed their relationship with the rest of the world 1880 - 1914IMPACT TODAY

The US still has hundreds of military bases in foreign countries

Where in the World is Uncle Sam?

Building Background…

In the mid-1800s, most Americans had littler interest in being involved with the rest of the world diplomatically. The Civil War and Reconstruction kept their focus on challenges at home. In the meantime, though European nations were busily acquiring overseas territories. The United States would soon join them…

…Your Thought…

• Why would the US want to build an empire? List as many reasons as you can

America Becomes an Imperial Power

Americans have always sought to expand the size of their nation (Manifest Destiny) – pushing control westward & to the Pacific coast

Once this had been achieved…Americans began to look overseas for additional sources of wealth

America Becomes an Imperial Power

Imperialism – the policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations

European nations had been establishing colonies for centuries. EX – Africa became a major area of European expansion. Therefore – many Americans did too

Supporters Argued…

•Increase the nation’s financial prosperity

•Strengthen the nation militarily

•Spread democratic ideas•Superiority of western culture

Characteristics of US Imperialism

ECONOMIC MILITARY CULTURAL

Maintain industrial prosperity

Show foreign powers the strength of US power

Belief in cultural superiority of industrialized nations

Acquire raw materials from new markets

Build strong US navy to protect shipping lanes

Belief in cultural inferiority of nonindustrial societies

Find new markets for sale of American goods

Establish US military bases overseas

Belief in need to spread democracy and Christianity

Alaska• William Seward – Secretary of State arranging

the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867

• Some thought it was a frozen wasteland – calling it “Seward’s Folly” {foolish act} or “Seward’s Icebox”

• 2xs the size of Texas, 2 cents an acre• Alaska became a source of valuable natural resources

– Fur– Timber– Minerals – Gold– Oil

Based on Seward’s belief that the US “must continue to move on westward,” the nation also acquired the Midway Islands 1867. The islands’ location about ½ way between US West Coast and Japan. This meant it was an excellent coaling station for the US Navy

Midway and Samoa Islands

Samoa was wanted to the same reasons The US and Germany decided to divide it in 1899.

Hawaiian JACKPOT1770s – Europeans trading & whaling1800s – American Missionaries to convert

Hawaiians to Christianity-opened businesses-raised crops - SUGARCANE

SUGAR History in Hawaii• 1840s – Sugar became leading export on

Hawaiian Economy• 1875 – Sugar production increased 9xs

because US agreed to import Hawaiian sugar duty-free (duty is a tax on imported items)

• 1890 – Crisis: McKinley Tariff - eliminated the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar – RESULT – Hawaiian sugar growers faced competition in the American market

• American planters called for the US to annex (to incorporate territory into an existing country or state) the islands so they wouldn’t have to pay

• US military and economic leaders understood the value of the islands

• 1887 – Hawaii allows the US to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor – best port

• Became a fuel station for American ships

QUEEN LILI

• 1838-1917• Symbol of Hawaiian pride and a

reminder of the islands’ history as anindependent nation

• 1891 – Became Queen when her brother died

• Proposed a new constitution that would return power to the Hawaiians – trying to limit the power to US planters

• US planters were upset – revolted in 1893• With the help of US Marines – overthrew the

queen & set up their own government. They then asked to be annexed by the US

Presidential Power

• New government – headed by Sanford B. Dole

• President Benjamin Harrison received planters’ request, gave his approval

• But before the Senate could act on the issue, Grover Cleveland became President

• He did not approve the planter’s actions & withdrew the treaty – ordered to restore the thrown – refused to consider annexation unless a majority of Hawaiians favored it

• Hawaii did not become annexed until 1898 – by William McKinley – 50th state of the US