Ch. 5-1 The Roots of Imperialism Pgs. 138-143 U.S. History Ch. 5-1 The Roots of Imperialism Pgs. 138-143

Why It Matters U.S. abandons isolationism Becomes a world power Acquires and influences territories outside the United States

The Causes of Imperialism Imperialism- policy by which strong nations extend their political, military, and economic control over weaker territories. Following the Europeans Europeans acquired new colonies in Africa and Asia Japan and U.S. started to follow Mid 1800s to early 1900s

Imperialists Seek Economic Benefits Raw Materials and Natural Resources tea, rubber, iron, petroleum Extractive Economies- Imperial country extracted or removed raw materials and sent them to the home country. U.S. was not concerned with resources U.S. was looking for a new market Buyers/Consumers

Imperialists Stress Military Strength In The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, Alfred T. Mahan a naval officer stated: A modern navy would help lead the U.S. to greatness Foreign bases were also needed for supplying the ships U.S. Built New steel-plated, steam powered battleships

USS Maine

Imperialists Believe in National Superiority Imperialist believed in Social Darwinism The fittest survive Certain nations and races were seen as superior to others Seen as “Manifest Destiny” in the U.S. to expand to the Pacific, God given right to civilize weaker races Overseas expansion could help keep ambitious Americans out of each other’s way

U.S. Power Grows in the Pacific 1853 Matthew Perry sailed a fleet of U.S. ships to Japan Japan then opened their ports to U.S. ships They were behind militarily Trade began with Japan 1867 the U.S. takes possession of the Midway Islands 1875 and 1887 treaties with Hawaii Increased U.S. trade Right to build a naval base, Pearl Harbor

Seward Purchases Alaska 1867, Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Often called “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox” Believed at the time to be worthless Rich in timber, oil and other natural resources

William Seward

U.S. Influence in Latin America Grows First International Pan-American Conference in 1889 Sponsored by Secretary of State James Blaine 17 Latin American Countries Paved way for Pan-American Highway system

The U.S. Acquires Hawaii U.S. was influential in Hawaii since the 1790s Ships stop on their way to East Asia Missionaries had established Christian churches and schools Sugar cane plantations were created In 1887, American planters convinced King Kalakaua to amend the Hawaiian constitution Limit voting rights to only wealthy landowners (white planters)

American Planters Increase Their Power 1890s American Planters in Hawaii faced two problems Rising cost of their sugar cane because of U.S. tariff laws 1891 King Kalakaua died His sister a Hawaiian nationalist took over Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by John Stevens a U.S. minister to Hawaii and a new government was ran by wealthy planter Sanford B. Dole Dole asked President Benjamin Harrison to annex Hawaii into the U.S.

The United States Annexes Hawaii President Harrison could not get enough of the Senate to approve President Grover Cleveland had an investigation done Apologized to Hawaii and did not annex In 1897 President William McKinley entered the White House 1898 After the Spanish-American war started, Hawaii was recognized by Congress as an official U.S. Territory

Questions Why create a strong navy? Would you consider Seward’s purchase a good one? Why or why not? Why would the Japanese refer to the steel steamships as dragons puffing smoke? If you lived in Hawaii after 1790s and the arrival of Americans, would you want them there? Why or why not?