US ImperialismAmerican Foreign Policy in the Gilded Age

Defining Imperialism

• Define: IMPERIALISM

• Identify the important characteristics of imperialism

• Explain: Why would a nation want to engage in imperialism?

• What general effects does imperialism have on those involved?

• What does this mean within an analysis of the development of US Foreign Policy?

Examples

• Cite a specific example of imperialism in world history. In your example, explain the relationship, the specific effects on those involved, and why it is important.

Mercantilism

• Adam Smith• Professor, Glasgow University• “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of

Nations” (1763)

(That’s him)

Berlin-Congo Conference:

The Scramble for Africa, 1895

• Imperialism, as defined by the dictionary of human geography, is “the creation and maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination.”

To what extent does the Berlin-Congo Conference (1884-1885) accurately reflect this concept of imperialism? Explain.

Early American Foreign Policy

• 1796: G. Washington’s Farewell Address“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities…

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”

Monroe Doctrine, 1823

• “…as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. . .”

“To establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man” (1839)

“Our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions” (1845)

-John L. O’Sullivan

The Course of US Expansionism

• Japan• Gunboat diplomacy (1853)

• Alaska• Seward’s folly (1867)

• Hawaii• Economic / political control (1893)

• Spanish American War (1898)• Cuba• Guam• Philippines• Puerto Rico

The White Man's Burden

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…

-Kipling, 1899

Presidential Foreign Policy

• Big Stick diplomacy• T. Roosevelt

• Dollar diplomacy• W. H. Taft

• Moral diplomacy• W. Wilson