US IMPERIALISM1872-1917
Chapter 5Becoming a World Power
The Roots of Imperialism
IMPERIALISM – The Policy by which strong nations extend their
political, military, and economic control over weaker nations or territories
Causes of U.S. Imperialism 1) Economic Benefits 2) Desire for Military Strength 3) Belief in National Superiority
The Age of Imperialism
The British Empire (1921)
“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”
African Colonialism
Berlin Conference – 1885
European Imperial powers divided up the continent of Africa
Causes of U.S. Imperialism
1) ECONOMIC BENEFITS
1)Desire for raw materials & natural resources Imperial nations sought colonies to
provide resources (such as tea, rubber, iron, petroleum)
Extractive Economies – imperial countries extracted, or removed, raw materials from the colony
2)Thirst for new markets The United States had plenty of
resources that led to a surplus of goods– They needed to sell goods beyond the U.S.
The U.S. needed to establish new markets around the world
American Foreign Trade 1870-1914
New markets were important for expanding trade opportunities and building up our economy
Causes of U.S. Imperialism
2) DESIRE FOR MILITARY STRENGTH
Military Strength was necessary to protect empire
NAVAL strength was key Alfred T. Mahan – The Influence
of Sea Power Upon History He encouraged the U.S.
government to build modern warships
By 1900, the U.S. had 3rd largest Navy in the world
U.S. needed territories to build naval bases and refueling stations around the world to maintain strength
U.S. Military Power Expands
Naval Power was supported by bases and refueling stations around the world
Naval Power
The Great White Fleet – new steel, steam powered warships went on worldwide tour to show off strength
Causes of U.S. Imperialism
3) Belief in National Superiority
Imperialists around the world used racial, national, and cultural superiority to justify imperialism
Popular Ideas Social Darwinism – certain races &
peoples were superior to others, and destined to rule over them; If the U.S. did not expand, then European empires would rule the world
Manifest Destiny – expand and gain converts to Christianity
“White Man’s Burden” – civilize the weaker, uncivilized people around the world (take Christianity & Democracy to the “Dark Skinned” peoples of the world)
“The White Man’s Burden”
Belief of racial superiority was used to justify many imperialist policies in the United States
U.S. Imperialism
America’s First Steps Toward World Power
Matthew Perry: Sailed a fleet of American warships into present-day Tokyo Bay, Japan. Showered Japanese emperor’s
with lavish gifts Negotiated treaty that opened
trade with Japan.
U.S. Imperialism
Major Territorial Expansion
1) In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Almost doubled U.S. size; Rich in
timber, oil, and other natural resources
2) The U.S. Acquires Hawaii In 1887, American planters
convinced King Kalakaua to amend Hawaii’s constitution so that voting rights were limited to only wealthy landowners (White Planters).
John Stevens, U.S. minister to Hawaii, ordered U.S. Marines to help seize power.
President Cleveland refused to sign the treaty of annexation, but President McKinley did.
The Importance of HAWAII
American Economic interests in Hawaii was the reason the U.S. annexed the Islands
U.S. Territorial Growth
United States Imperialism extended from South America to Asia (Pacific Islands)