Becoming a World Power

Copy the words in BLUE

Reasons for American Expansion

Imperialism: one people ruling or controlling other peoplesWhen America became a country, we did not look to set up colonies overseas.Involvement with other countries/lands could lead to war.George Washington believed the U.S. could not handle a war so early.

Reasons for American Expansion

Late 1800s:– Nationalism: If the U.S. wanted to be a world

power, we needed our own colonies.– Social Darwinism: The belief that American

democracy was the best form of government and would spread throughout the world.

Only the strongest survive – even governments

Expansion (cont.)

– Foreign Markets: Farming and industry believed expansion would increase American money ($$$)

• 1898: U.S. exported more than it imported.• Farmers wanted to sell products overseas.

NATIONALISM, SOCIAL DARWINISM, FOREIGN MARKETS

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM

Additions to the U.S.

1854 – Matthew Perry opens up relations with Japan after 200 years of isolation1867 – U.S. (William Seward) buys Alaska from Russia1867 – U.S. annexes (adds) Midway Island– Wanted to use island as a “midway” point

between America and Asia

1898 – U.S. annexes Hawaii after a revolt led by American farmers there

1898 – Spanish American War

Causes of the war– 1) Americans wanted to help Cuba win their

revolution for independence from Spain– 2) Yellow journalism = newspapers made up

sensational stories (appealed to emotions) about what was going on in Cuba to sell more papers (Hearst & Pulitzer)

– 3) U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, Cuba – newspapers blamed it on Spain

1898 – Spanish American War

The WAR– Fought in Cuba (on land) and in the Philippines

(naval battles)– American Navy destroyed the Spanish ships– Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders group up

San Juan Hill– Most fighting actually done by Cuban

Revolutionaries and the African American infantry– Most casualties died from malaria (not bullets)

Peace Talks

Peace Treaty with Spain– Treaty talks held in Paris– Cuba gets her independence– 1898 – U.S. receives Puerto Rico and Guam in

Spanish peace agreement and pays for the Philippines ($20 million)

After buying the Philippines: people turn to fighting for independence from the U.S. (5,000 lives lost)

Additions to the U.S. (cont.)

1899 – U.S. annexes Samoan Islands1899 – Secretary of State, John Hay, asked countries to have an “Open Door Policy” with China– Every country should be allowed to trade with China

1904 - 1914 – U.S. takes over the Canal Zone in Panama (control over the canal returned to Panama in 2000)