Introduction to Imperialism Chapter 20 Advanced US History

INTRO TO BECOMING A WORLD POWER – U.S. became world power for 1 st time Reasons for Imperialism: Search for overseas markets (Industrial Revolution) ideology of manifest destiny spurred the U.S. to keep pushing outward Americans felt a “duty” to “civilize” the lesser nations American military might backed up commercial interests, creating an “economic imperialism” Imperialist developments of this time period led the U.S. into WWI and served as the basis for U.S. foreign policy for much of the 20 th century

WHY AN AMERICAN EMPIRE? America’s expansionist positions were justified by racial superiority and driven by the closing of the American frontier, economics, religious and moral reasons, and geopolitics. Manifest Destiny – ideology Americans had developed in conquering the West in the s which held that God had preordained that Americans would possess all the land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Supporters of Social Darwinism knew that only the strongest politically, economically, and militarily would survive. Many Americans also felt that English-speaking nations were destined to survive and dominate the planet. This idea is known as Anglo-Saxonism. Was seen as part of the idea of manifest destiny. Felt it was our destiny to expand overseas and spread our culture to others. Turner Thesis - In his influential 1893 essay “The Significance of the Frontier in American History,” historian Fredrick Jackson Turner argued that the presence of the western frontier had shaped the American character and allowed the development of democracy and capitalism, necessitating in the wake of its 1893 disappearance “a wider field for its experience,” a new frontier; this argument was used to buttress attempts to propel American interests abroad o The Frontier is Full: The United Stated began to recognize European expansion. We had always been able to expand, but the West was filling up. The US decided to look to new markets.

BUILDING SUPPORT o Early Thoughts on Expansion: In the years following the Civil War, most Americans showed little interest in expanding our nation’s territory or international influence. But by the 1880s, more people wanted to make the US a world power and shifted away from a focus on building industry and settling the west. Economic and military pressure from other countries led to this shift. Also a feeling of cultural superiority. Economic Reasons: As we focused inward, other countries were expanding their power overseas. This expansion became known as the New Imperialism. Imperialism is the economic and political domination of strong nation over weaker ones. American business leaders wanted access to overseas markets and materials, so they supported American imperial adventures abroad. Business leaders and politicians argued that the obvious solution to economic problems caused by overproduction was the creation of new markets.

BUILDING SUPPORT Religious and Moral Reasons American Christian missionaries sought converts, believing it was their moral duty to bring both progress and salvation to less privileged, “uncivilized” peoples. This argument also had a racial tone: The U.S. should join Europe in spreading the benefits of white civilization to the world. British poet Rudyard Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden” (1899) – urged the U.S. to embrace its imperialist obligations. Geopolitical Reasons Beginning in the 1870s, European powers raced to conquer resource-rich regions of Africa and Asia, bringing these countries substantial profit and a network of commercial and military bases. Americans feared by remaining isolated they would lose access to markets and power. o European Imperialism: The Europeans had done so for a while due to the high tariffs placed on imports,. They looked to overseas markets for products and a place to sell theirs. They were also looking for a place to invest their capital. To protect their investments, some nations began exerting control over these nations. Some became colonies, others protectorates. o Protectorates: is where the imperial power allows local rulers to stay in control and protects them against invasion. In exchange, the local ruler accepts advice from Europeans on how to govern.

BUILDING A STRONG NAVY Risking War in Defense: Over time the American people and their government became more willing to risk going to war in defense of their overseas interests. This led to the support of the creation of a large navy. Captain Alfred T. Mahan, a naval officer, suggested that a nation needed a large navy to protect its merchants ships and to defend its right to trade with other countries. We would also have to build more naval bases overseas for resupplying purposes. Alfred T. Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power on History, (published 1890) – argued that, in modern times, national greatness was based on navel strength. Using 18 th century Britain as a model, Mahan argued America needed war ships to protect merchants and needed to maintain overseas colonies for naval bases. Henry Cabot Lodge: Senator who pushed for the construction of a new navy. Supported Mahan’s book. The Naval Buildup 1883 – Congress authorized construction of powerful all-steel, steam-driven battleships, armed with the latest long range artillery. The U.S. had seen the significance of battleships when the North used them to cripple Southern ports during the Civil War. The Civil War experience and Mahan’s arguments led the U.S. to build up its navy – U.S. went from 15 th largest navy to 7 th largest. Mahan’s arguments led U.S. policymakers to call from stronger territorial presence overseas.