American Expansionism

AMERICA BECOMES A GLOBAL POWER

(1867-1919)

Should the United States intervene in the affairs of

another country?

I can explain the political, economic, & cultural factors that fueled the growth of American imperialism.

Learning Target

Imperialism

Definition Illustration

Causes Effects

Definition

Imperialism is a policy in which stronger nations extend their political or military control over weaker territories.

Examples?

Causes

Desire for Military Strength

Other nations around the world were establishing a global military presence

Admiral Alfred T. Mahan urged government officials to build American naval power in order to compete

Construction of the Great White Fleet US became the world’s 3rd largest naval power

The Great White Fleet

Causes

Thirst for New Markets

The US needed raw materials for its factories & new markets for its agricultural & manufactured goods

Causes

Belief in Cultural Superiority

Some Americans combined Social Darwinism with a belief in the racial superiority of Western Europeans

They argued that the US had a responsibility to spread Christianity & “civilize” the world’s “inferior” people

White Man’s Burden

Effects

The US Acquires Alaska

In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward arranged for the US to buy Alaska from Russia $7.2 million

Called “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox”

Effects

The US Takes Hawaii

Hawaii had been economically important to the US since the 1790s

By the mid-1800s, American-owned sugar plantations made up about 75% of the islands’ wealth

In 1887, the US built a naval base at Pearl Harbor

Effects

The US Takes Hawaii

In 1891, American business groups organized a revolution & overthrew Queen Liliuokalani

Sanford B. Dole was put in charge of the new government

Effects

The US Takes Hawaii

President Grover Cleveland recognized the Republic of Hawaii & called for a vote of the Hawaiian people

On August 12, 1898, Congress made Hawaii an American territory although Hawaiians were never given the chance to vote

The Fate of Hawaii