Imperialism (1870-1918): America becomes a world

powerImperialism- foreign policy of powerful countries seeking to control weaker countries or regions economically, socially and/or politically Foreign Policy- actions that a country takes when dealing with other nations. U.S. had a tradition of ISOLATIONISM (not being involved)

I. Reasons for Imperialism1. Economic Reasonsa. New Markets for trade

2.8 Billion1.6 Billion 1914

1.8 Billion 1.7 Billion 1903

1.35 Billion 1.3 Billion 1899

$1.42 Billion $1.2 Billion 1892

$800 Million $900 Million 1889

$1.0 Billion $1.22 Billion 1880

$800 Million $900 Million 1875

$350 Million $300 Million 1870

Exports Imports Year

2.8 Billion1.6 Billion 1914

1.8 Billion 1.7 Billion 1903

1.35 Billion 1.3 Billion 1899

$1.42 Billion $1.2 Billion 1892

$800 Million $900 Million 1889

$1.0 Billion $1.22 Billion 1880

$800 Million $900 Million 1875

$350 Million $300 Million 1870

Exports Imports Year

- Take over other countries and force them to buy our products

2. Social Reasonsa. Social Darwinism- we are the fittest and have the

right to take over othersb. “White Man’s Burden”- its our “responsibility” to

spread our culture to savage natives

3. Political Reasonsa. Make the U.S. a world power

b. Put military bases around world to protect our trade ships and possessions

• Increase the size of our navy • Alfred Mahan’s Importance of Sea Power Upon History – bookabout taking over land to use as Naval bases

3. Spanish-American Wara. Causes• Yellow-Journalism and sinking of U.S.S. Maine

b. “A Splendid Little War”- U.S. wins quickly, Roosevelt and the Rough Riders are heroes

c. Results• U.S. takes control over Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and

Cuba• U.S. is recognized as a WORLD POWER• Anti-Imperialists are unhappy that the U.S. is taking over

other countries

III. Presidents of Imperialism

1. William McKinley (1897-1901) a. Annexes Hawaii b. Makes decision to keep territories gained after the Spanish-

American war2. Teddy Roosevelt (1901-

1908)a. Big Stick Policy (Roosevelt

Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine)- U.S. will be a police power in the Western Hemisphere and is allowed to interfere in Latin-America to protect US interests

b. Panama Canal• Roosevelt

interferes with a rebellion in Panama and helps it succeed

• He then makes deal with the new country of Panama to build the canal

• Important for trade and military

b. Panama Canal• Roosevelt interferes with

a rebellion in Panama and helps it succeed

• He then makes deal with the new country of Panama to build the canal

• Important for trade and military

How did the Panama Canal further America’s status as a world power?

Why was the building of the canal an example of the “Big Stick” policy?

andThe

Progressive Era

Progressive Era (1900-1920)-Time period in the United States in which the government and the people attempted to REFORM political, social and economic problems in America. oReform- correct what is wrongoGovernment begins to move away from laissez

faire and towards regulation of business

I. Origins of the Progressive Era1. Many reforms led by middle-class city dwellers who had political

power and influence2. Reform began at the State and local levels

3. Some early reform movements include: Settlement Houses [Jane Addams], Reform of city governments, Helping the poor, Women’s Suffrage, the Populist Party:

The Populists were a third party made up of farmers and factory workers whose goals included:

Eight hour workday > End child labor > regulate railroads Graduated income tax

Many of their goals become laws during the Progressive Era

2. 17th Amendment- direct election of U.S. senators by the people

3. 19th Amendment- Women’s Suffrage (right to vote)• Alice Paul- important leader for Women’s Suffrage.

Helped found the National Women’s Party (NWP)

II. Political Reform during the Progressive Era1. Reformers tried to:

• End corruption in government (Civil Service tests- end the spoils system

• Increase influence in government by everyday citizens (Primary, Initiative, Referendum, Recall)

III. Social Reforms during the Progressive Era1. Settlement Houses (Hull House and Henry Street Settlement)

2. Temperance= PROHIBITION (18th Amendment)

3. Muckrakers- journalists who exposed problems of society to raise awareness and make a change

a. Upton Sinclair- The Jungle Exposes unsanitary meat packing

Laws passed: Meat Inspection Act, FDA

b. Jacob Riis- How the Other Half Lives: Poor tenement neighborhoods

Laws: Tenement House Act

c. Ida Tarbell- History of the Standard Oil Corporation: Greed of Rockefeller

Laws: Sherman and Clayton Anti-trust act

d. Thomas Nast- drew political cartoons to expose Boss Tweed

Laws: Civil Service tests

IV. Economic Reforms during the Progressive Era1. Sherman Anti-Trust act and Clayton Anti-Trust act- regulated

big businesses, trusts and monopolies

Progressive Era AmendmentsRemember…

TEAS

16th

17th

18th

19th

axes1913

Graduated income tax

lection1913

Direct election of U.S. senators

lcohol1919

Prohibition

uffrage1920

Women receive suffrage (the right to vote)

VIII. The End of the Progressive Era

1. U.S. involvement in World War I (1914-1918) changed the government and the peoples focus away from progressive reforms