Unit 4 – The Age of Imperialism (1890 – 1917)

The Roots of Empire

ImperialismA policy where one nation seeks to create an empire by controlling the affairs of weaker nations – economically, politically, culturally, and/or militarily. The U.S. practiced this foreign policy during the last years of the 19th Century and early 20th Century.

Why did the U.S. follow Imperialism?

1. Nationalism - or pride in one's country came into play here because European powers (Great Britain, Germany, France, etc.) and Japan were doing the same thing. Many believed America had to compete to be strong.

2. Economic and Business Pressure – Expansion would provide us with markets to sell surplus goods and sources of raw materials. The “Turner Thesis” advocated expansion because the 1890 Census said the West was settled and we needed more room to grow.

Why did the U.S. follow Imperialism?

3. Moral and Religious Reasons - Josiah Strong’s Our Country (1885) put forth the notion of an American empire that would spread Christianity and Democracy the world over. Rudyard Kipling’s poem, The White Man’s Burden, and the theory of Social Darwinism were also influential on missionaries who believed Europeans were the “fittest” of the world’s races and ethnic groups.

Why did the U.S. follow Imperialism?

4. Military Interests - Protection of world markets – Captain Alfred T. Mahan’s book, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890), believed that the future prosperity of the U.S. hinged on acquiring and protecting world markets. He favored the maintenance of a strong, modern navy, a canal across the Isthmus of Panama, and coaling stations for ships in the Pacific.

Exit Slip – Why Imperialism?1. A policy where one nation seeks to create an empire by

controlling weaker nations isa. Jingoism b. Imperialism c. Nationalism

2. The ______ Thesis stated that the U.S. needed more room to grow after the West was settled or our economy would suffer.a. Turner b. Darwin c. Sherman

3. All of the following groups were in favor of expansion except _________.

a. Missionaries b. Industrialists c. Native Americans d. The U.S. Navy4. The author of the poem The White Man’s Burden was

_________.a. Alfred T. Mahan b. Josiah Strong c. Rudyard Kipling

Bell Ringer – Why Imperialism?

$$$

Imperialism

First Steps Toward Empire

• 1853 – Commodore Mathew Perry sailed to Japan

• Japan realized they had fallen behind technologically

• 1854 - Treaty of Kanagawa opened Japan to trade with the U.S.

The Purchase of Alaska (1867)• Sec. State William H. Seward

bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 M

• “Seward’s Icebox” and “Seward’s Folly” b/c it was unpopular with the American public

• It was a great move by Seward b/c Alaska proved rich in timber, oil, and other resources

Other Acquisitions of the Era• 1867 – Midway Islands

annexed • U.S. wanted friendly

coaling stations • 1887 –Hawaii gave U.S.

rights to Pearl Harbor• 1889 – American Samoa

annexed• 1889 – 1st International

Pan American Conference held

The Annexation of Hawaii (1898)• 1893 – American Sugar

planters revolt aided by U.S. Marines and Sanford B. Dole (pineapples)

• Queen Liliuokalani removed from power

• President McKinley approved annex in 1898

• President Cleveland had refused in 1893 for moral reasons

Exit Slip – The Path to Empire

1. T or F: Commodore Mathew Perry helped the U.S. secure the right to trade with China.

2. T or F: The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia.

3. T or F: The U.S. became interested in Hawaii because of the demand for sugar.

4. T or F: President McKinley purchased the Hawaiian Islands from the Queen of Hawaii.