Ms. Jerome
Map of the World in 1914
Imperialism:
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
1861-1865
Why Imperialism?
Why do you think America sought options abroad at the turn of the century?
1. Commercial/Business Interest— overseas markets Exporting manufactured goods Exporting agricultural products Expand or explode! Booming increase of population,
wealth, industrial production
1. Continued
America’s GDP—the total value of goods and services—quadrupled between 1870 and 1900.
American farmers: Farmers depended on supply and
demand Farmers always needed their products to
be in demand Foreign markets would supply constant
buyers to American surplus
2. Military/Strategic Interests With imperialism comes power America sought to locate forces
around the world—extend beyond borders for military reasons
3. Social Darwinist Thinking
A hierarchy of race
4. Religious/Missionary Intentions To spread religion. “Christianize” heathens “Civilized” Christian cultures spread their
way of life to “lesser” cultures Early advocate: Reverend Josiah Strong
(pictured) An attempt to mute criticism of the
economic motives behind the adoption of an imperialist policy
Noneconomic justification for expansion
5. Closing the American Frontier Frederick Jackson Turner “The Significance of the Frontier in
American History” (1920) Turner’s belief that territorial
expansion promotes social, economic, and political stability.
Notes on American Territorial Acquisitions
before the Spanish-American War
Hawaii
Hawaii
An independent nation Sugarcane attracted American
planters 1875 Treaty—gave Hawaii sugar
duty-free entry into the American market Declared the island off limits to the other
powers 1887 treaty—gave U.S. naval rights at
Pearl Harbor
Hawaii cont’d
The McKinley Tariff of 1890 increased average tariff rate for imports to the U.S. at 48.4%-- tariffs protect manufacturing.
However, it also abruptly ended Hawaii’s access to American market$
Sugar planters began to plot an American takeover of the islands so that Hawaiian sugar would be treated as a domestic product.
Hawaii
January, 1893: Led a coup over the kingdom of Hawaii
July 6, 1898, after approval from the House and Senate, Hawaii as a U.S. territory.
Alaska
1867 the U.S. purchased Alaska from Imperial Russia for 7.2 million $$$ CHEAP!
Russia—anxious to unload baron wasteland
Secretary of State Seward (an expansionist) “Seward’s Folly”
What does Alaska give the U.S.
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