An Emerging World Power

Imperialism• One country’s domination of the

political, economic, and social life of another country

• Three key factors– Nationalism prompted rival

European nations to build empires to compete for power

– The Industrial Revolution created high demand for raw materials, so nations sought new territories

– Both religious fervor and feelings of racial superiority inspire Europeans to impose their cultures

Forms of Imperialism• Colony

– A territory that an imperial power ruled directly through colonial officials

• Protectorate– Had its own gov’t, but its policies guided

by foreign power• Sphere of influence

– A region of a country in which the imperial power had exclusive trading rights

America’s First Steps • In 1853, Commodore

Matthew Perry sailed a fleet of American warships into present day Tokyo Bay, Japan opening up foreign relations with them.

• In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia.

• Relations with Latin America improved.

• Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii was overthrown by American planters and Sanford B. Dole was placed in power and asked the U.S. annex the island.

The Spanish American War

• Causes:• The rise of dictator

Jose Marti in Cuba.• Yellow press inflames

public opinion.• The U.S. warship the Maine exploded in a Havana harbor killing 266 Amer. soliders. (Remember the Maine!)

The Spanish Amer. War Cont.

• Commodore George Dewey commanded the U.S. Naval fleet which was very successful.

• Future President Theodore Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” at the Battle of San Juan hill.

• The War was an astounding American success. (3000 died only 380 in combat)

• The Treaty of Paris ended the War and gave the U.S. claims in Latin America as well as in the Philippines.

Spanish-American War Video

The U.S. & East Asia• The Boxer Rebellion was an

attempt by a rebel group to eliminate any foreigners in China.

• European powers wanted China to pay reparations for losses during the rebellion and this led to an overthrow of the emperor in 1911.

• In an effort to continue its “open door policy” America used some of the money paid out by China to fund scholarships for Chinese students in America.

The U.S. & Latin America• The Platt Amendment

placed Cuba as a protectorate under the U.S.

• Theodore Roosevelt developed his “big-stick” diplomacy when dealing with foreign countries and depended on a strong military to back it up.

• Roosevelt played a major role in the creation of the Panama Canal linking Atlantic & Pacific.

Panama Canal Videos

Diplomacy• Roosevelt hand picked

William Howard Taft to succeed him as Pres.

• Taft took an economic approach to foreign relations with his “dollar diplomacy.”

• In 1912, Woodrow Wilson was elected Pres. And instituted a foreign policy based on human rights, national integrity, and opportunity known as “moral diplomacy.”

Taft’s Tub