US IMPERIALISM1872-1917

Chapter 5Becoming a World Power

The Roots of Imperialism

IMPERIALISM – The Policy by which strong nations extend their

political, military, and economic control over weaker nations or territories

Causes of U.S. Imperialism 1) Economic Benefits 2) Desire for Military Strength 3) Belief in National Superiority

The Age of Imperialism

The British Empire (1921)

“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”

African Colonialism

Berlin Conference – 1885

European Imperial powers divided up the continent of Africa

Causes of U.S. Imperialism

1) ECONOMIC BENEFITS

1)Desire for raw materials & natural resources Imperial nations sought colonies to

provide resources (such as tea, rubber, iron, petroleum)

Extractive Economies – imperial countries extracted, or removed, raw materials from the colony

2)Thirst for new markets The United States had plenty of

resources that led to a surplus of goods– They needed to sell goods beyond the U.S.

The U.S. needed to establish new markets around the world

American Foreign Trade 1870-1914

New markets were important for expanding trade opportunities and building up our economy

Causes of U.S. Imperialism

2) DESIRE FOR MILITARY STRENGTH

Military Strength was necessary to protect empire

NAVAL strength was key Alfred T. Mahan – The Influence

of Sea Power Upon History He encouraged the U.S.

government to build modern warships

By 1900, the U.S. had 3rd largest Navy in the world

U.S. needed territories to build naval bases and refueling stations around the world to maintain strength

U.S. Military Power Expands

Naval Power was supported by bases and refueling stations around the world

Naval Power

The Great White Fleet – new steel, steam powered warships went on worldwide tour to show off strength

Causes of U.S. Imperialism

3) Belief in National Superiority

Imperialists around the world used racial, national, and cultural superiority to justify imperialism

Popular Ideas Social Darwinism – certain races &

peoples were superior to others, and destined to rule over them; If the U.S. did not expand, then European empires would rule the world

Manifest Destiny – expand and gain converts to Christianity

“White Man’s Burden” – civilize the weaker, uncivilized people around the world (take Christianity & Democracy to the “Dark Skinned” peoples of the world)

“The White Man’s Burden”

Belief of racial superiority was used to justify many imperialist policies in the United States

U.S. Imperialism

America’s First Steps Toward World Power

Matthew Perry: Sailed a fleet of American warships into present-day Tokyo Bay, Japan. Showered Japanese emperor’s

with lavish gifts Negotiated treaty that opened

trade with Japan.

U.S. Imperialism

Major Territorial Expansion

1) In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Almost doubled U.S. size; Rich in

timber, oil, and other natural resources

2) The U.S. Acquires Hawaii In 1887, American planters

convinced King Kalakaua to amend Hawaii’s constitution so that voting rights were limited to only wealthy landowners (White Planters).

John Stevens, U.S. minister to Hawaii, ordered U.S. Marines to help seize power.

President Cleveland refused to sign the treaty of annexation, but President McKinley did.

The Importance of HAWAII

American Economic interests in Hawaii was the reason the U.S. annexed the Islands

U.S. Territorial Growth

United States Imperialism extended from South America to Asia (Pacific Islands)