Imperialism

United States HistoryUnit #6

“America’s Progress”George Crogutt, 1873

MANIFEST DESTINY “[It is] our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions."

-- John L. O'Sullivan, United States Magazine and Democratic Review, 1845

“500 Nations” Native American Video (1860-1890)

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Native Americans

The Homestead Act United States Federal law that gave away free

titles to 160 acres 640 acres of undeveloped land outside of the original 13 colonies.

Anyone who had never taken up arms against the U.S. Government, including freed slaves, could file an application and improvements to a local land office.

The Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862.

Eventually 1.6 million homesteads were granted and 270,000,000 acres were privatized, a total of 10% of all lands in the United States.

The Dawes Act Dawes Act or General Allotment Act,1887,

passed by the U.S. Congress to provide for the granting of “allotments” (usually 160 acres/65 hectares) to individual Native Americans, replacing communal tribal holdings.

Sponsored by U.S. Senator H. L. Dawes from M.A., the aim of the act was to absorb tribe members into the larger national society. Allotments could be sold after a statutory period (25 years), and “surplus” land not allotted was opened to settlers.

Within decades following the passage of the act, the vast majority of what had been tribal land in the West was in white hands.

The Dawes Act & Homestead Act

The Homestead Act (1862): United States Federal law (signed in by Lincoln)

giving away 160 acres undeveloped land Anyone who had never taken up arms against the

U.S. Government, including freed slaves qualified. Eventually 1.6 million homesteads were granted

and 270,000,000 acres were privatized, a total of 10% of all lands in the United States.

The Dawes Act (1887): Land to individuals (160 acres per family) not

nations (communities) Left-over land went to white settlers

Western Expansion Timeline of Important

Events1845 “Manifest Destiny”: first usage of the term

(Mexican-American War)1860s-1880s Cattle ranching in the Great Plains hugely profitable1862 Homestead Act passed1865 Civil War ends, 13th Amendment passed (prohibits

slavery)1868 14th Amendment Passed,

President Johnson impeached, but not oustedFreedman’s Bureau active

1869 Transcontinental Railroad finished in Promontory, Utah

1870 15th Amendment1871 U.S. government orders all Western Indian nations

to settle in either western South Dakota reservation or Oklahoma (Indian Territory- not treated as separate nation)

1874 Sioux Territory- Gold found and Sioux refuse government offer to buy land for $6 million.

1875-1876 American miners stream into Black Hills; Sioux and Cheyenne join together to resist settlers

Western Expansion Timeline of Important

Events1876 U.S. orders all Sioux back to the reservations; many refuseSpring 1876 U.S. Military plans three prong attack on IndiansJune 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn- Custer decides to fight Sioux without other companies (many died)Fall 1876 Sioux suffer two major defeats in battle1877 U.S. troops withdrawn from South, Reconstruction ENDS.

Most Sioux and Cheyenne fighters surrender, including leader Crazy Horse

Another Sioux leader, Sitting Bull, settles in Canada rather than surrender Nez Perce fight military, Chief Joseph

Late 1870s Years of Apache resistance to miners and settlers of New Mexico TerritoryLate 1880s Apache resistance continues after death of Cochise1886 Geronimo’s final surrender to U.S. troops1887 Dawes Act passed1889 Oklahoma Land Rush

Native Americans & the U.S. Government

Goal of “Indian Policy”: Lead the Native Americans upwards into “Christian

civilization” BUT do not “crush out” all traits of N.A. culture.

What does he mean by “our task is to hasten the slow work of race evolution”? Native Americans are the “less favored race” and

without government intervention to quicken the process, they will lose out.

What elements of Indian culture does the official admire? Physical courage, “heroic stoicism in enduring physical

pain”, & respect for one’s self. What elements of white culture does the official

insist the Indians should adopt? Home-making, industry, cleanliness, social purity and

family integrity.

Imperialism Definition: What is YOUR definition???? The practice of one country extending

its control over the territory, political system, or economic life of another country. (www2.truman.edu/~marc/resources/terms.html )

The policy of extending a nation’s authority over other countries by economic, political, or military means. (teachers.sduhsd.net/shayes/documents/CCA-US-Imp-VocabList.doc)

Imperialism Map of the World

Imperialism Map: Annexations & Territories

Puerto Rico

(1898)Hawaii

(1898)

Alaska(1867)

Midway Islands(1867)

American Samoa(1878)

Philippines

(1898)Guam

(1899)

Imperialism Map: Protectorates & Interventions

Cuba(1898)

Panama(1903)

Haiti-D.R.(1915/1916)Nicaragua

(1911)

Imperialism Map: Trading Partners

Japan(1854)Chin

a (1844)

Korea

(1880)

Imperialism Map: Neighbors & Rivals

Mexico

Canada

Great Britain

FranceGermany

Spain