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America as a World Power
Ch.10 ImperialismAmericans dramatically changed their relationship with the rest of the world 1880 - 1914IMPACT TODAY
The US still has hundreds of military bases in foreign countries
Building Background…
In the mid-1800s, most Americans had littler interest in being involved with the rest of the world diplomatically. The Civil War and Reconstruction kept their focus on challenges at home. In the meantime, though European nations were busily acquiring overseas territories. The United States would soon join them…
America Becomes an Imperial Power
Americans have always sought to expand the size of their nation (Manifest Destiny) – pushing control westward & to the Pacific coast
Once this had been achieved…Americans began to look overseas for additional sources of wealth
America Becomes an Imperial Power
Imperialism – the policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations
European nations had been establishing colonies for centuries. EX – Africa became a major area of European expansion. Therefore – many Americans did too
Supporters Argued…
•Increase the nation’s financial prosperity
•Strengthen the nation militarily
•Spread democratic ideas•Superiority of western culture
Characteristics of US Imperialism
ECONOMIC MILITARY CULTURAL
Maintain industrial prosperity
Show foreign powers the strength of US power
Belief in cultural superiority of industrialized nations
Acquire raw materials from new markets
Build strong US navy to protect shipping lanes
Belief in cultural inferiority of nonindustrial societies
Find new markets for sale of American goods
Establish US military bases overseas
Belief in need to spread democracy and Christianity
Alaska• William Seward – Secretary of State arranging
the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867
• Some thought it was a frozen wasteland – calling it “Seward’s Folly” {foolish act} or “Seward’s Icebox”
• 2xs the size of Texas, 2 cents an acre• Alaska became a source of valuable natural resources
– Fur– Timber– Minerals – Gold– Oil
Based on Seward’s belief that the US “must continue to move on westward,” the nation also acquired the Midway Islands 1867. The islands’ location about ½ way between US West Coast and Japan. This meant it was an excellent coaling station for the US Navy
Midway and Samoa Islands
Hawaiian JACKPOT1770s – Europeans trading & whaling1800s – American Missionaries to convert
Hawaiians to Christianity-opened businesses-raised crops - SUGARCANE
SUGAR History in Hawaii• 1840s – Sugar became leading export on
Hawaiian Economy• 1875 – Sugar production increased 9xs
because US agreed to import Hawaiian sugar duty-free (duty is a tax on imported items)
• 1890 – Crisis: McKinley Tariff - eliminated the duty-free status of Hawaiian sugar – RESULT – Hawaiian sugar growers faced competition in the American market
• American planters called for the US to annex (to incorporate territory into an existing country or state) the islands so they wouldn’t have to pay
• US military and economic leaders understood the value of the islands
• 1887 – Hawaii allows the US to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor – best port
• Became a fuel station for American ships
QUEEN LILI
• 1838-1917• Symbol of Hawaiian pride and a
reminder of the islands’ history as anindependent nation
• 1891 – Became Queen when her brother died
• Proposed a new constitution that would return power to the Hawaiians – trying to limit the power to US planters
• US planters were upset – revolted in 1893• With the help of US Marines – overthrew the
queen & set up their own government. They then asked to be annexed by the US
Presidential Power
• New government – headed by Sanford B. Dole
• President Benjamin Harrison received planters’ request, gave his approval
• But before the Senate could act on the issue, Grover Cleveland became President
• He did not approve the planter’s actions & withdrew the treaty – ordered to restore the thrown – refused to consider annexation unless a majority of Hawaiians favored it
• Hawaii did not become annexed until 1898 – by William McKinley – 50th state of the US