I MPERIALISM & A MERICA By: Becky Campbell

G LOBAL I MPERIALISM Imperialism- a policy where stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over a weaker territory By the late 19 th century Africa emerged as the prime target of European expansionism Brittan, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Spain competed for African raw materials & markets By early 20 th century, Ethiopia & Liberia were the only independent colonies

Asian & American Imperialism 19 th century reform period, Japan replaced order w/ a government molded after bureaucracies of Western Nations a) Hoped military would boost industrialization b) They joined European nations in imperialists competition in China in 1890’s c) The U.S. didn’t seek colonies in Asia, they competed w/ other nations to expand trading opportunities w/ China o AMERICAN IMPERIALISM Most Americans liked the idea of expanding overseas a. 3 factors boosted American imperialism: 1. Economic competition between industrial nations 2. Political & military competition, included strong naval force 3. Believing in racial & cultural superiority of people of English decent (Anglo Saxon)

Thirst For New Markets Imperialism gave economy a boost Advances in technology a. U.S. farmers & factories produced more products then they could consume Imperialists thought foreign trade was a solution to overproduction, economic depression, & unemployment Albert J. Beveridge a. Indiana senator b. Imperialist c. Defended pursuit of new territories on economic grounds d. Goals 1. American Exports a. Totaled up to $234 Million by end of Civil War b. Increased to $1.5 Billion by Achieve a Balance of Trade a. Exporting more than importing U.S. became the leading economic power

Desire for Military Strength Foreign policy exports advised U.S. to build their own military, because of other nations building their own Alfred T. Mohan 1. President of Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island 2. Was the top outspoken advocates of American military expansion 3. Urged U.S. to develop: a. Modern fleet b. Establish naval base in Caribbean c. Construct a canal across the Istmus of Panama d. Acquire Hawaii & other Pacific Islands U.S. built 9 steel-hulled cruisers between 1883 & After constructing 2 modern battleships, Maine & Oregon a. This made the U.S. the 3 rd largest naval power in the world With the modern fleet U.S. set out to accomplish Mohan's goals

Belief in Anglo-Saxon Superiority Cultural factors justified imperialism Americans combined the Social Darwinism(survival of the fittest) philosophy w/ a belief of racial superiority of Anglo-Saxon 1. They argued that the U.S. ‘s responsibility was to spread Christianity & Civilization to the worlds “Inferior” people a) This was very racist, because it defined civilization according to the standards of only one culture

A NTI – I MPERIALISM Some Americans saw the ethnic superiority justified imperialism & others saw it as a threat to Anglo-Saxon Heritage 1. Most believed that nothing justified domination of other countries by the U.S. 2. Others objected when territories were claimed by the U.S. & weren't given the U.S. constitutional protections 3. They also argued the cost of maintain a military force that was large enough to protect the U.S. positions Certain countries overseas were vulnerable to empire builders wanting potential conquest Hawaii became a tempting target for the U.S.

T HE U NITED S TATES T AKES H AWAII Mid 19 th century Americans owned sugar plantations that accounted for 3 quarters if Hawaii's wealth Plantation owners imported thousands of immigrant labor workers from Japan Portugal & China in which the immigrants out numbered the natives 4 to 1 by treaty passed to allow the sale of Hawaiian sugar in the U.S. w/o duty white business leaders forced King Kalakaua to change their constitution to give voting rights to only wealthy landowners 1. Also during that year the U.S. forced Hawaii to sign a treaty to let construction of a U.S. naval base be build at Pearl Harbor The McKinley Tariff of Caused a crises by eliminating duty free status of Hawaii's sugar 2. Hawaiian sugar growers faced competition in U.S. markets especially Cuban sugar

T HE U.S. TAKES H AWAII CONT. King Kalakaua died in His Sister, Liliuokalani became queen a) She proposed new constitution to remove property qualifications to vote b) John L. Stevens 1. Wanted to prevent new constitution 2. U.S. ambassador 3. Organized a revolt against the queen on the evening of January 16, Sanford B. Dole took the queens place as president President Cleveland forced to get rid of Dole & gave back the queen her throne William McKinley succeeded Cleveland & favored annexation