American ImperialismAmerican ImperialismWhat is Imperialism?
What were the major factors that contributed to the growth of American Imperialism?
Today’s Vocab.
• Imperialism
• Expand: to grow
• Superiority: to be the best
• Territory: land
• Annex: to take
Imperialism: the policy in which stronger nations control weaker countries (economics, politics, or
military)
• Why did the U.S. want to expand? Global Competition: be a strong country in the world
Desire for Military Strength: have the strongest military
Thirst for New Markets: we need to sell our products to other countries Belief in Cultural Superiority: prove we are the best
U.S. Expands Territory “peacefully”U.S. Expands Territory “peacefully”• 1867: U.S. pays Russia $7.2 million for Alaska
– Becomes a state in 1959● U.S. Takes Hawaii Hawaii econ. important to the U.S. - trade & sugar
1893: Queen Liliuokalani forced to give up power to US- Sanford Dole heads gov’t
1898: Congress annexes (takes) HI
1959: Becomes a state
Problems between US & Spain
• Cuba is “owned” by Spain
• Cubans want independence
• US offers to buy Cuba but Spain refuses
• 1895: Cubans try to get independence again, US supports them
• 1898: Yellow Journalists report USS Maine (a naval ship) was sunk by Spanish Navy
Spanish-American War, April-August 1898
• US declares war on Spain after USS Maine is sunk
• War fought in Caribbean Sea (Cuba) & Pacific Ocean (Philippines)
• US tells Philippinos that they’ll be free if US wins…
End of War: Treaty of Paris
• Spain loses war• Spain freed Cuba and gave the islands of Guam and
Puerto Rico to the U.S.• Spain sold Philippines to U.S. for $20 million
Please answer the following questions by reviewing your notes!
1. Why did the U.S. get involved in expansion?
2. Why was Hawaii so important to the U.S.?
3. What is “yellow journalism”?
4. What are the results of the Spanish-American War?
GuamPuerto Rico
Philippines
To the Victor Go the Spoils:The U.S. gets Guam, Philippines, and Puerto Rico in the
Treaty of Paris