Early American Imperialism

U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1860

1852-1853 – Argentinatroops landed during revolution

1853 – Nicaraguaprotection of Americans during political

instability

1853-1854 – JapanCommodore Perry’s expedition to force opening

of Japanese ports to U.S. shipssecure commercial facilities

U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1860

1854 – NicaraguaSan Juan del Norte destroyed to avenge insult of

American Minister to Nicaragua

1855 – Uruguaynaval forces land to protect American interests

during attempted revolution

1859 – ChinaAmerican intervention to protect American

interests in Shanghai

U.S. Overseas Intervention1850-1895

1860 – Angolaprotection of American lives and property in

Kissembo during native protests

(Why such a large gap between interventions?!?)

1893 – Hawaiisupport for a revolt by White, American pineapple

and sugar planters – led by Sanford Dole – to overthrow the monarch

…would we be the kind of nation that

takes over other people’s land and

controls it?

In 1898 the U.S. entered into the Spanish –American War, and upon our success had to make a decision…

Support for Imperialism

I. EconomicA. Industrialization1. need for new markets due to overproduction2. desire for raw materials/natural resources

B. Competition with European nations1. Africa & Asia were the targets

“The Sun Never Sets on the British

Empire…”By 1900, Britain controlled one-quarter of the world’s land and

people.

I. PoliticalA. Desire to “join the ranks of the world’s major powers”

B. “Race for land”

C. highlight military strength1. jingoism ~ extreme and emotional nationalism characterized by aggressive foreign policy2. Alfred Thayer Mahan

The Influence of Sea Power on History~ Alfred Thayer Mahan

Claimed U.S. needed:naval base in

Caribbean“Base of operations” in

the Pacificislands in the Pacific

for refuelingModern naval fleetConstruct a canal

across Central America

I. SocialA. feelings superiority & racism1. Social Darwinism2. Manifest Destiny3. “White Man’s Burden” ~ Kipling

B. Closing of the frontier1. need a “safety valve” to avoid social unrest at home

C. Fashionable ~ “The thing to do!”

“White Man’s Burden”~ Rudyard Kipling

Take up the White Man’s burden-

Send forth the best ye breed –

Go, bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives’

need;To wait, in heavy harness,On fluttered folk and wild

–Your new-caught sullen

peoples, Half devil and half child.

“White Man’s Burden”~ KiplingEurocentric view of the world

non-European cultures are seen as childlike

condescending view of non-Western national culture and economic traditions

whites have an obligation to encourage the cultural development of people from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds until they fully adopt Western ways rich have a moral duty to help the poor

“better” themselves (whether they want the help or not!)

What were the arguments of the Anti-Imperialists in America at the turn of the 20th

Century?